Unit 5 Projects | Dylancceramics4

-Unit 5-

Alebrije

My alebrije was actually my favorite project of this unit because I got to basically redo my whale shark from the previous semester. I took a lot of time with this one, carefully constructing the body, and then adding on the fins and other features of the tail. I took my time making sure it was smooth and also anatomically correct. I gave it more designs and dots than I did last time, also because I wanted to give it a more mystical vibe. The only thing I did different is that I wish it was smoother.

Current Artist Inspired

I chose the graffiti artist Banksy for my current artist inspired piece. My brother shows me a lot of graffiti whenever we hang out together, so I wanted to take a good memory and put it into art. I spent more time constructing the building he painted on rather than the actual painting, but I felt that I needed to resemble the artwork and building together. What I liked about this piece of his is that he posted a picture of people taking the building down after his painting had been up. I enjoy his art style more than most because it isn't traditional graffiti, and I find it quite beautiful. If I were to make the piece again I would just want to make it bigger so I could add more detail to the artwork.

Choice Project

I really have been loving plates recently because they give me a lot of artistic freedom to try out new patterns and painting ideas. I actually had a major fail with this plate because I left it on the mold for too long, and it shrunk so the bottom detached from the walls of the plate. Once I reconstructed the bottom I added all the flowers and the sun. I really liked the rose I put on the plate because it seemed really simple but elegant. This plate helped me focus more on the construction and what to avoid when making my final. I think I did a really nice job of making it a smooth plate, but I would just wish that I didn't have the mess up with the bottom.

Useful Piece

My useful piece is my least favorite. I don't know why I had so much trouble with it, and it just turned out horrible. I constructed it so sloppily, and I didn't underglaze it right. Once it was fired the second time all of the glaze flaked off because the underglaze didn't like stick to the piece. I would totally redo the piece, because it absolutely sucks. My flowers looked really good too.

Wall Hanging

The wall hanging was easy and fun. It was more of a chance to put my pattern skills to use and kind of go all out. I just wish the D looked different, but other than that I'm happy with it. I just rolled out a slab, cut out my square, and then smoothed out the edges so it looked nice. I spent more time on the presentation than anything else, mainly because it was for decoration, not really use like my other pieces.