Ceramics Workshops + Ceramic Creatures + Animal Mashups by Aggie

eggoodyear — 2024-02-11 20:52:56 UTC

"The work that members do really reduces stigma — one pot at a time."

eggoodyear — 2024-02-11 20:56:21 UTC

(Quote from article) Jenny Tucker, an instructor for the hand building pottery classes, said the seniors who take her classes come ready to take on new challenges. "They are fearless and they bring a wealth of experience, so they're a lot of fun. Something goes wrong and they go, 'ha ha ha, I'll just do that again,'" she said. "They have no fear if it doesn't work out perfectly the first time because these are humans that have lots of life experience." She said one of the most exciting parts of the project is how imaginative the seniors are with what they want to create.

eggoodyear — 2024-02-11 21:34:43 UTC

This article is for parents looking to get their kids into pottery, but I found it helpful too!

eggoodyear — 2024-02-11 21:43:11 UTC

I think this is a really cool way to get kids more engaged in art and for teens to explore the boundaries of creativity. This is the type of vibe I want to cultivate in my workshop-- not just making something random out of clay, but really thinking through an idea!

eggoodyear — 2024-02-11 21:45:33 UTC

results from the other video!!!! so cool!!!

eggoodyear — 2024-02-11 22:08:03 UTC

I knew Andrew did this but I didn't know about the article! pretty cool. This whole project really interests me because it's all about making art more accessible, which is something I really care about, whether it's printmaking or ceramics! Pottery can also be seen as inaccessible because, at least when it comes to ceramics, it requires access to a kiln.

MY IDEA

eggoodyear — 2024-02-11 22:12:51 UTC

I'm planning on doing an all ages ceramics workshop. I have spoken to David about eventually using the big kiln for the workshop and he okayed it! when it comes to decorating the ceramics, my plan is to show the participants a selection of the different glazes we have at the Sculpture Studio and have them pick a color out of those options, and then glaze them myself. As great as it would be to do pottery painting as well, the materials would be very expensive and it would require a second session of the workshop, which I have no real interest in doing.

Thoughts

eggoodyear — 2024-02-11 22:15:41 UTC

I really love ceramics and working with clay, but I feel like a lot of people-- even people in my program-- are intimidated by it because of all the things that can go wrong and how long it takes. I want to introduce ceramics to my community with this workshop and help even the most apprehensive of participants learn about this beautiful medium!

ANIMAL MASHUPS

eggoodyear — 2024-03-10 20:20:08 UTC

This article includes some works from Thomas Grunfeld's 'Misfits' series, which employs contemporary taxidermy techniques to explore the historical phenomenon of describing previously unknown animals using the features of familiar ones-- "For example, the camelopard, now known as the giraffe, was described having the height and neck of a camel, the head of a stag although somewhat smaller, the teeth and feet of an ox, and a leopard’s spots."

ANIMAL MASHUPS

eggoodyear — 2024-03-10 20:38:36 UTC

This is a collection of works by Eva Funderburgh, who, among other things, makes woodfired ceramic beasts as part of her practice. I really like these designs because despite not resembling any particular animal the creatures are very cohesive and cool to look at. Something I would like to try and emulate in the workshop is how they have a lot of personality, even without painted details or facial features other than a mouth.

ANIMAL MASHUPS

eggoodyear — 2024-03-10 21:01:24 UTC

Valency Genis creates whimsical animal mashup sculptures, inspired by an impactful childhood encounter with a taxidermy shop at age twelve. "She takes an almost Dr. Frankenstein-like glee in crafting her unique animals, drawing on influences ranging from Dr. Seuss to Natural History Museum dioramas." I am really inspired by the sheer creativity at play here.

CERAMIC CREATURES RESEARCH

eggoodyear — 2024-03-10 21:09:18 UTC

I found this video really useful because it takes you through the step-by-step process, from separating the clay into sections, to attaching it, to shaping it the way you like, and all the way to hollowing it out. I think I will write up a guide that follows a similar format to this video, to be passed out at the workshop.

ANIMAL MASHUPS: THOUGHTS

eggoodyear — 2024-03-11 03:24:25 UTC

It may seem silly but I didn't realize the obvious connection to taxidermy until I sat down and did this research. Probably not something I'll include in the workshop, but maybe something for my practice in the future? I also really liked the bit from the Grundfeld article, about how previously unknown animals would be described rather inaccurately by using features from other animals. It was such a common phenomenon and I find it really interesting!

CERAMIC CREATURES RESEARCH

eggoodyear — 2024-03-11 03:36:38 UTC

Found this video helpful because its showing how to make what is basically a hollow ball. I think I like this technique a bit more than the other video, but maybe I'll make guides for both methods.

CERAMIC CREATURES RESEARCH

eggoodyear — 2024-03-11 03:42:13 UTC

I found this video a bit less helpful than part one-- mainly because there isn't a part 3, lol. However, I found it really interesting that he made the head a pinch pot, too-- that makes so much sense! the great thing about the pinch pot method is that it uses the clay more economically than scraping it out of the finished piece, like in the other video.

CERAMIC CREATURES RESEARCH

eggoodyear — 2024-03-11 03:47:04 UTC

I feel like 'cat + animal' is probably going to be a heavy hitter at the workshop so I wanted to look at a basic cat tutuorial.

CERAMIC CREATURES RESEARCH

eggoodyear — 2024-03-11 03:58:47 UTC

I found this video INCREDIBLY helpful because this girl is doing exactly what I'm going to be doing in my workshop, and executing it well. She had some great tips: having your references in front of you so you get proportions correct, how clay has memory and remembers cracks/how to patch them, and the importance of getting a 360 view of your creature. Will be implementing these things into my workshop!!!