Works in progress-January 2012

I know it's been some time since I last posted to my blog, but it is the last semester of Graduate School and time management has been one of the most important aspects for getting the work done that I will need for my thesis exhibition.  On top of all the regular day to day grind as a graduate student, it is approaching that time to also look at the options after this phase of my education.  So with that in mind, I've been working on numerous pieces and developing glazes for my work.  The glaze calculation and materials class, which I took last semester, has really helped me in developing my own glazes and starting to now take advantage of that research.  There are still tests I am doing since I am using two different clay bodies for my work, but the results are more understandable to what is happening with the materials involved. 

The images posted are a representation of just a few of the things I have been doing the last couple of weeks.  

Under Construction-update of progress

On my second day back in the studio I continued working on this piece and tried to refine it with specific details and additions using the pinch pot method and small slabs.  I have to get back in the studio to finish up some more details, but it's pretty much ready to continue drying slowly until the bisque firing. 

Under Construction

At the end of the semester I had a few pieces that I was working on at multiple stages.  These pictures show a piece I am working on at the moment.  After returning from visiting family, I was hoping to get back on this piece, but the University had to shut down power to run electrical tests.  The power should be back on tomorrow and I'm looking forward to finishing up this piece.  I haven't figured out a "title",  for the piece, but that's the least of my thoughts at the moment.  I'll post new pictures of the piece tomorrow, when I can get back in the studio.  This piece is entirely hand built using an earthenware clay body and slabs.  I've used some press molded additions as well, with the "bolts and screws".

New sculpture-"Manual Labor", December 2011

Pictured here is the piece titled, "Manual Labor", which is hand built, using terra cotta and fired to cone 6.  This piece is actually a mixed media piece consisting of terra cotta, steel, wood, and pvc.  The red "gears" in the background are completely terra cotta and hand carved to create the teeth look of the outer form of the "gear".  The surface consists of a mid-fire glaze and cold glazes.  I created a patina on the chain using a non-toxic citrus and vinegar solution. 

What the Blue?

It's been some time since I've posted an update, so I thought I would put up another picture of the next stage I was at a couple of weeks ago with this piece.  I know the color is questionable and believe me, it will not look like this when I am done with it!  I will take a picture of it today and post the new image of its progress.  I had critiques the last two weeks and finals are over for the semester, but I still have a lot of work to finish up during the break.  I'm trying to get five new pieces finished before the spring semester starts so I can have some of my new work in my portfolio when I start applying for teaching positions.  I'll post a new picture of this piece later tonight, so you can see the transformation of the surface from this picture.

Two works in progress-November, 2011

With the holidays fast approaching, it can only mean one thing...the end of the semester is near!  I've been working through some issues with some of my molds, but for the most part they are working well.  I thought I would show you some of the pieces I've made so far, for a wall piece consisting of gears and other parts to reference a machine.  The pieces on the left of the shelf are slip cast porcelain and fired to cone 6.  The other piece pictured is a small sculpture that I will be implementing some mixed media into.   It was hand built using terra cotta, with additions of some press molded items.  I'm still working on the color choices, but I thought I would show a picture of the piece up to this point.  I will keep updating the progress of both pieces along the way.

Raku workshop at Edinboro University-presented by Kevin Rohde and Derek Decker, for Fairview High School, Fall 2011

Kevin Rohde and myself filling the container with combustibles while the kiln is firing the wares

Raku Kilns at Edinboro University

Opening the red hot kiln

Placing wares from the kiln into the container containing the combustibles

Kevin Rohde placing red hot wares from the kiln into the container

Wares placed in the container igniting the organic materials to help create the carbon needed for the glazes

Reduction process of Raku

One of the benefits of being a graduate student is having opportunities to pass on the knowledge one possesses.  Recently Kevin Rohde and myself had an opportunity to present a Raku workshop at Edinboro for Fairview High School near Erie.  The students were brought by their teacher Barb Wegner and were given Clear Raku and Copper Sand glazes to use on their wares.  Kevin and I used two different Raku kilns to fire all the work and demonstrated the whole process to the class.  I recently received some thank you cards from the students and was glad to know they enjoyed seeing the process first hand.  I can say that Kevin and I enjoyed presenting the process to the students as well.  It's kind of hard not to enjoy the process of Raku.  When else can you;  with the help of tongs and protective gloves, reach right into the red hot kiln and pull out the wares, only to place them immediately into a container filled with organic combustibles? Posted are some pictures of the event thanks to Mrs. Wegner and Mrs. Daley, who are both teachers at Fairview High School.