Both pattern and contrast are some of the key traits in creating an exceptional project. Without those components, a project could be mundane and unappealing to ones eye. Many of my projects consist of both of these traits because I feel as if they are the most important aspects to take into considerations when throwing projects. Applying both pattern and contrast can satisfy the artist and create a project that will be unforgettable. Through out my vast assortment of projects I have created in both beginning and advance ceramics, most of them exemplify both pattern and contrast.
My first theme project I created was a large vase that has an array of flowers on it. It is thrown with sea mix which is easier to work with however takes more accuracy because one slight move with the clay can result in a totally different project. It is glazed with black mat and topped with a thin layer of clear glaze. To place the flowers, I used a small paint brush and applied four small dots to create a flower like shape. After the flower pattern dried I placed clear glaze over the pattern to soften both the look of the cylinder and the texture. Inside, the cylinder is topped with small black dots and also coated with clear glaze. This project exemplifies pattern due to the flowers covering the surface and the dots lying inside the cylinder. Contrast is portrayed through the flowers complimenting the size and shape of the cylinder. The black flowers and dots contrast with the white surface to create a beautiful design.
My second piece of ceramics work that depict both pattern and contrast is a franken pot created by Kate, Megan and I. Although this piece of work was not done merely by me, It is still one of my favorite projects because it shows the accuracy and preciseness I have learned while being in ceramics. It was thrown in three pieces individually and then scratched and scored together to guarantee the structure would stay together. It started off with a cylinder about four inches high, this was my piece of work that had to provide support for a tall structure that would soon turn into a large "Franken pot." The top was thrown about four inches high and the lip was pulled out to create the vase like look. After it was bisqued my next task was to create an image on the outside that would contrast with the shape well. I first glazed It with white to cover the whole surface area then added the pattern on top of it. I used the lavender detail glaze to create medium size flowers all around the surface. Like the cylinder, I used a small detail brush and used the side of the brush to form the petals and the end of the brush to create the center of the flower. However, once It was glazed it turned out not how I was envisioning it to. The white is notorious for running therefore the white pulled the lavender glaze down and created a different, yet still interesting pattern. The soft dripping pattern of color compliments the form by creating long lines of running glaze on the surface of the tall project.
Overall, ceramics has taught me more than how to create art out of just a piece of clay. It has taught me that if you set a goal and stick with it you can accomplish something you never thought you could do. My first day of freshman year I walked into class amazed and puzzled as to how someone could make projects as tall and as good as they did. I told myself that by the end of my ceramics career I was going to achieve my goal in which I wanted to be able to make something large and immaculate out of a piece of clay so I could prove to myself people are much more capable of things when they set their mind to it. Beginning ceramics taught me how to create hand made projects and also centering a piece of clay is a lot harder than it looks. While advance ceramics taught me how to make bowls big enough for salad and techniques I could apply to more things than just clay. I accomplished my goal in which I can use pattern and contrast to make projects I never thought I could before.
My first theme project I created was a large vase that has an array of flowers on it. It is thrown with sea mix which is easier to work with however takes more accuracy because one slight move with the clay can result in a totally different project. It is glazed with black mat and topped with a thin layer of clear glaze. To place the flowers, I used a small paint brush and applied four small dots to create a flower like shape. After the flower pattern dried I placed clear glaze over the pattern to soften both the look of the cylinder and the texture. Inside, the cylinder is topped with small black dots and also coated with clear glaze. This project exemplifies pattern due to the flowers covering the surface and the dots lying inside the cylinder. Contrast is portrayed through the flowers complimenting the size and shape of the cylinder. The black flowers and dots contrast with the white surface to create a beautiful design.
My second piece of ceramics work that depict both pattern and contrast is a franken pot created by Kate, Megan and I. Although this piece of work was not done merely by me, It is still one of my favorite projects because it shows the accuracy and preciseness I have learned while being in ceramics. It was thrown in three pieces individually and then scratched and scored together to guarantee the structure would stay together. It started off with a cylinder about four inches high, this was my piece of work that had to provide support for a tall structure that would soon turn into a large "Franken pot." The top was thrown about four inches high and the lip was pulled out to create the vase like look. After it was bisqued my next task was to create an image on the outside that would contrast with the shape well. I first glazed It with white to cover the whole surface area then added the pattern on top of it. I used the lavender detail glaze to create medium size flowers all around the surface. Like the cylinder, I used a small detail brush and used the side of the brush to form the petals and the end of the brush to create the center of the flower. However, once It was glazed it turned out not how I was envisioning it to. The white is notorious for running therefore the white pulled the lavender glaze down and created a different, yet still interesting pattern. The soft dripping pattern of color compliments the form by creating long lines of running glaze on the surface of the tall project.
Overall, ceramics has taught me more than how to create art out of just a piece of clay. It has taught me that if you set a goal and stick with it you can accomplish something you never thought you could do. My first day of freshman year I walked into class amazed and puzzled as to how someone could make projects as tall and as good as they did. I told myself that by the end of my ceramics career I was going to achieve my goal in which I wanted to be able to make something large and immaculate out of a piece of clay so I could prove to myself people are much more capable of things when they set their mind to it. Beginning ceramics taught me how to create hand made projects and also centering a piece of clay is a lot harder than it looks. While advance ceramics taught me how to make bowls big enough for salad and techniques I could apply to more things than just clay. I accomplished my goal in which I can use pattern and contrast to make projects I never thought I could before.