Wheel Thrown Vessel Form-Update (1)

So, I know I posted recently about a wheel-thrown vessel I was working on.  Here is a photo of the carving I had talked about previously.  The light colored area in the middle of the form is a light blue slip.  I still plan on building up layers through multi-firing the work.  I just thought I would post an update of the work.

Summer Work for the Nephews-Using my skills as an artist

I know I didn't post much over the summer, but the summer for me is a time when I'm not teaching and time I have for myself and family...catching up.  My nephews are very young and are into cartoons, as I  once was.  I remember wanting to learn to read because of the comic books dad would buy me from time to time and how amazed I was at an early age with the illustrations in those books.  I know I used to doodle...a lot as a kid, creating my own version of those comic books I loved.  I was given a good opportunity of the use of my artistic skills over the summer to create an inviting environment for my nephews bathroom.  So I took a break from creating the art I do, to use my years of learning my craft for the next generation.  The pictures posted are of the large scale Spiderman I did in their bathroom over the summer.  It was a blast to create outside of my current medium and get back to what got me excited about art at an early age.  I know they enjoy it, so it was a great time for all of us!  They helped paint in some of the areas as well, so it was a collaboration between just us.  It's great being an uncle.

The images posted are of the progress of the bathroom wall, of Spiderman, which they asked me to do for them. It was a nice break from the norm, and a lot of fun!

Wheel Thrown Vessel in Progress

Here is a vessel form I threw on the wheel, the picture was from last week and since then I have added a handle to the lid.  I also have carved away some of the clay around the base to mimic the cogs of a gear.  I will post more pictures as the progression continues.  I plan on doing multiple firings and printing on the surface as well.

Wheel Thrown Cup

I've been busy working on finishing up new pieces, so I can take images of the work for my portfolio.  I have also been working on the wheel to reinforce my skills.  I don't usually make functional work, but I'll be teaching advanced ceramics next semester, so I thought I should brush up on using the wheel.  It's interesting how my approach to using the wheel has changed since I first was introduced to it as an undergraduate.  I guess it's the years of watching other professional artists and how they use the wheel, that has seemed to alter the way I use the wheel now.  That being said, I enjoy using cups other artists have made and decided to create one for myself.  Below is an image of a cup I made recently.  It's in the drying stage and I plan on hopefully getting it in the kiln soon.  I'll post some updates of the cup and the stages it goes through, in becoming a finished piece.

Why attend Graduate School?

Since leaving graduate school at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, I've had students ask me what it's like and why should they attend graduate school.  I have had the pleasure to answer any questions they may have, and try to explain the different reasonings one may choose to attend.  It's no easy task and one must understand the dedication needed to succeed.
When I was at Edinboro I had the opportunity to be interviewed about graduate school.  I thought I would share the link of the youtube video explaining graduate school at Edinboro and what I came away from it.  Hope you enjoy the video and I hope it helps to understand at least a little bit more of the reason why I felt it was beneficial.

The link is posted below:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YEBXSqBvAV0


This image shows work I made prior to the installation of my thesis exhibition, back in 2012.

Fl3tch3r Exhibit: Social and Politically Engaged Art, National Juried Exhibition

I just found out that I had a piece accepted into the National Exhibition, "Fl3tch3r Exhibit:  Social and Politically Engaged Art",  (November 1-27, 2013).  The Juror of the exhibition is Michael Aurbach, Vanderbilt University and former President of College Art Association (CAA).  The Exhibit will take place at ETSU Slocumb Galleries, Tipton Gallery, in Johnson City, Tennessee.  The opening reception will be November 1, 2013 on First Friday at Tipton Gallery.  Hope to see you there!
 

Cell Phone-Test Glaze Picture

Hi everyone,

Sorry for not posting anything since May.  I have still been making work and working on finishing up the five sculptures in progress.  The last bisque is going into the kiln today.  Below is a piece showing a glaze test on a form I am creating in porcelain.  It will become a wall piece with the other forms I have slip cast.  There will be about 70 cell phones for the piece and I can't wait for it to be done!  I'm trying to get all the pieces done and photographed by the end of the month so there will be more photos of the works in progress.  Yesterday I made three hundred pounds of clay so I can start on some new work.  I have sketches for the ideas that I did over the summer and will be starting the new pieces after the five other sculptures are done.