1. Tools are a major focus in this class. Though many things can be completed by hand tools are often necessary. In creating artwork what type of tools have you used? In using these tools how did they help your work along? Explain their function and purpose. (Ex. Pottery Wheel, aviation snips, Clay rib)
I have used several different tools that has helped me complete my sculpture projects!
The first tool I have used is the aviation snips. The aviation snips do a good job when you are dealing with wire. Aviation snips help you cut potentially sharp materials, especially things you can not use scissors for. They helped me especially with my wire trees. There is no way I could have cut the wire with my hands or with scissors, and it helped me wrap the wire around itself, allowing me to have more control.
Another tool I used a lot was the needle tool, and the clay knife. I used these during my Kangaroo pieces. It was very hard to get the edges straight, but using these, it helped me cut a sharp edge, and again, let me gain more control of what I am trying to cut.
2.How has your knowledge and understanding of tools changed since the beginning of the semester? Talk about your growth of understanding.
At the beginning of sculpture 1, I have never heard of any of the tools except the needle tool. In sculpture 1, I learned all about these new tools and how to use them. I learned very quickly that these tools can improve your piece by so much, and help make the process a lot easier. Throughout sculpture 2 I have worked on new projects, which means I have used more tools. I used the clay rib a lot more than I have when working on my mug, and it has helped so much, as I had to smooth out my mug.
My favorite material is clay. Even last semester, I enjoyed working with clay very much. I like working with it because there are so many different ways and techniques and ideas you can use it for. I like working on the wheel as well, even though it is difficult, but I think the end result is worth it. Like I said, clay can get frustrating at times, but, I really like the end look, especially with the glaze. I love working with glaze because it adds so much to the clay. With clay you can add anything, like for my piece below I added glass, which I really ended up liking.
My least successful project was my city mug. I consider it unsuccessful because I liked it in the beginning and before I painted it, but after it was glazed, I didn't like how the colors turned out. I felt like it looked to smeared and big, but before it went in the kiln it looked good. If I could do it over again, I would not make the background color pink, and I would make the buildings more slim, so that they wouldn't be as wide, and they would look more like city buildings.
My most successful piece was my kangaroo piece. The theme overall for my pieces was travel. It went through a long process to get it finished. I had to make three tile pieces the same size. I had to draw out the kangaroos and the trees out of paper and place it on the clay and carve out the remaining pieces of the clay. Then I had to make sure everything was smooth and even, and then I fired the clay. I then had to decide what color glaze I wanted, I decided to do the kangaroos and trees black, and then the background glaze bright colors so you could see it through the glass. Then I placed the glass in and fired it. Everything was completely done except I painted the borders with acrylic paint. Then the whole process was completed!