Jose Castillo Ceramics/Sculpture I by Maria Castillo

What I enjoyed about ceramics

282castillom2 — 2025-05-16 18:28:04 UTC

In ceramics class, I really enjoyed the creative liberties. we got to come up with our own ideas instead of following direct step by step instructions. I really enjoyed the satisfaction that I got seeing my ideas and projects come to life. Out of all of the techniques we learned in this class, the wheel was my favorite.

Advice for future ceramics I students

282castillom2 — 2025-05-18 21:29:16 UTC

one piece of advice I want to give to future ceramics students is to finalize a sketch before working on your piece. This way it allows you to work effectively and plan out how you're gonna bring your idea to life.

Monster (Slug With Wings)

282castillom2 — 2025-05-18 21:33:40 UTC

In this project, I started by coming up with different features of monsters. after I finalized my sketch I began to work on the body shape and facial features. once the piece was leather hard I attached the wings and horns.

Pinch Pot (Coconut Bowls)

282castillom2 — 2025-05-18 21:39:01 UTC

In this project, I created a sketch of what I wanted my project to look like. I decided on making a set of two coconut halves that serve as bowls. when you put the two halves together it makes a full coconut.

Wheel piece (Sunflower Mug)

282castillom2 — 2025-05-20 22:10:44 UTC

I made this piece on the wheel. this is one of the first real things I threw on the wheel and it helped me learn the basics of making stuff on the wheel. after it was a bit more dry I carved it and glazed it.

Large Coil Vessel (Flower Vase)

282castillom2 — 2025-05-20 22:15:19 UTC

This was one of my largest pieces that I've made this semester. while building this, I learned how to utilize the coil press machine. I also learned how to fire it using the saggar firing technique.

Wheel Piece (Carved Bowl)

282castillom2 — 2025-05-20 22:19:27 UTC

This was the second thing I made on the wheel. When working on this, I focused on making it even and symmetrical. I then carved a simple design.

Raku Coil Vessel

282castillom2 — 2025-05-22 02:55:52 UTC

In this project, I made it more even because I used the coil press instead of hand rolling them which were naturally less even. this taught me the fundamentals of coil building.

Pinch Pot Sketches

282castillom2 — 2025-05-22 02:58:19 UTC

These sketches were the first designs I created for my final Pinch Pot piece. I came up with multiple designs and I decided to stick with the top one which is displayed in this portfolio.

Monster Sculpture Sketch

282castillom2 — 2025-05-22 03:05:18 UTC

this drawing was the rough draft of my monster project. I began by brainstorming different monster body parts such as the hands/claws, wings, horns, bumps, eyes, teeth, etc. I then put together different parts to form my final design.