I intend for this blog to serve as an informal ceramic art portfolio, and my way of showing Mary that I Did work this semester regardless of my excessive absence.
I have yet to successfully transform the designs in my mind into ceramics. Working with natural substances limits my ability to fully control the outcome. Whatever outcome it may be, the result is always rewarding.. no matter how hideous. After the long wait of a few weeks (or in rare cases, months) comes the most rewarding moment of all: the unloading of the kiln. Its like birthing a child, except less painful (unless you burn yourself, then its probably more painful). I cant think of any other way of describing the feeling of seeing my “completed” pieces for the first time. The first thing I do when I see my unloaded pieces is wrap my hands around them. I hold each piece and give it my individual attention. I look at all its patterns. its curves. its flaws. Then the “I should have done this” and the “oh shit I thought this was gonna be like..” start rolling off my tongue, nonstop.. or until the first person compliments my work. Still, I am my worst critic. When no one is around I can hear the fired pieces talking to me, I swear, they say “love me love me love me,” though my studio mate claims that the clay produces ticking sounds when its temperature is adjusting. Whatever.
Probably one of the most pointless things I could do is plan. I usually start with a concept in my mind, but the clay sometimes disagrees with me, and I adapt. I keep on adapting until the clay’s irrational evolution stops; once its been fired. In my posts you’ll be surprised to see the transformation of clay from pre to post firing.
Not too many people are familiar with the technical process of forming ceramics. I do not consider myself an expert in pottery, but I sure can explain a few things that may help you get a general understanding of what I do. The origin of all my ceramic pieces is a big, wet, block of clay (earthenware), that gets shaped into whatever form I desire. The shaping, designing, carving, glazing, maintenance, and firing process usually takes weeks to complete. The clay has to maintain its dampness in order for me to continue molding it. If it becomes dry, it will harden and Game Over. When the clay is stone-hard, there is nothing left to do but to fire it whether we are satisfied with it or not. I unintentionally broke many of my ongoing pieces because I forgot to wet them and they dry over the weekend, develop cracks and eventually break (and breaking a little piece of my heart along with it). It is crucial to understand the appropriate measurements and weak points of a piece so I can avoid any damage.
Due to my supposed attention deficit issues, I haven’t been paying attention to the instructor in those few times I’ve attended a ceramics lecture, hence many many many of my pieces have major flaws, or worse, they explode during the firing process. I’ve had at least 7 months of ceramics experience. I love the feeling of wet clay between my fingers, kinda reminds me of my life back in the rainforest when I was a cub.
Note: Some pieces are abstract and metaphorical, let your imagination do the interpretation. Your imagination is not my responsibility.
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