In The Art Studio…

Do you know how to load an electric kiln?  In the next few classes we will learn about kilns and how to load our kiln for our first firing of the year.  In order to prepare, all pottery needs to be bone dry and ready for the fire.  Make sure your name and date is clearly written on the bottom of your pieces.  Before the end of the trimester

 we will begin to look at the history of firing clay. There are many different ways to fire a piece of pottery and using an electric kiln is just one way… one of the easiest…  Are you ready to get your pottery fired?

So what did you think of the loading process? Did the pottery come out the way you expected? Did the colors change from what you planned?

Ahhhh Ha!!! By now you have gotten your “hands dirty”  on the wheel, set up and cleaned up your wheel.  So now what???  To be the master of clay on the wheel, you will need to find your center. Be sure to check the placement of hands on the clay (do you have the vulcan hand?)  Are your elbows down?  Where is your head?  Did you keep your foot on the accelerator? ARE YOUR HANDS WET??? What is the sponge for?

So the question is What is your Center?

After watching the video on wheel throwing,  you should be able to answer the following question… Who is David Kuraoka? Please respond in 3 complete sentences minimum.  Include not only the facts about the artist, but a personal connection that you had with the artist…

Yep, I just did a fire of what was on the rack… If you didn’t make this fire don’t worry we will have another soon.

I hope you got a good basic understanding of the history of the potters wheel… you’ll be tested soon so discuss your notes and ask questions if you have any.

This week and next you should be throwing and trimming. A good rule is to throw one day and trim the next class first then throw again if you have time. All pots should be out of the damp box on the 25th as it is a long weekend and your pots will become bone dry. Have any of you come up with good ideas for your new trimester requirements?

This week we need to glaze everything… Make sure your glaze maps are done well so you know combinations and are able to share them with others. We will be loading the kiln by the end of the week for the glaze fire. Make sure the bottoms of the pieces are wiped clean so there is no glaze on them. You all have made it through the 1st trimester and now can all wedge, center and pull. Lets get ready for 2nd trimester when we will be making plates and hand-building on our wheel thrown pieces.

WHAT???? Yes, you will need to think what you’d like to leave behind to show what your ideas are. So take away, scratch, or etch away your art. I can’t wait to see your results. Do you think this is tough or easy? Tell me what you think?

Great job today gang! I was really proud of your efforts and know that all of you will get “CENTERING”. Remember your steps and your position, Another key is to take your foot off the foot pedal. :} We will be working on centering for a few more classes then on to your cylinder assignment. Thank you for a great class.