Being wintertime, I was seeing a lot of woollen textures around me, so I decided to find a woollen jumper at a thrift shop and cut it up to press into clay. I was able to make these two vases with this method and found I really liked the outcome. I made these as a personal learning activity to explore texture and expand my clay knowledge further, throughly enjoyed the process. To me, these works represent objects that bring me joy in life, like the comfort of a woollen jumper and the skill of knitting. Knitting interests me, as it is a skill I have never been able to master and is somewhat of a mystery to me.
These objects were made to portray a bath and a side table. I chose to make these, as I wanted to make something positive and something that makes me feel happy in real life. The bath is based from my bath at home and the side table is based upon the rock I can see out the window while having a bath (see images below). The book is on the side table because I love to read and the glass of wine is self explanatory!
Hessian Vase
Size: Height 12.3, Width: 6.3cm
At the beginning of the ceramics rotation, I made a slab-built vase with a hessian fabric pressed into it. I was pleased with the outcome of experimenting with fabric and clay. Will definitely be making more textile inspired ceramic pieces in the future.
Pinch Cups and Slab Built Jug
The class were asked to make two pinch cups and one slab build jug. The above images show my second attempt at making these. I decorated with magnolia plants. Below are images if my first attempt, I was not happy with the finished outcome so made the above ones to have another go.
The following are some images of some clay experiments that I have done. Some worked out and some did not, but the process of learning was great!
The clay baking tray cracked so I reclaimed it, bit sad about that but will have a go again soon. The fabric soaked into slip also broke to pieces, defiently another one to have a go at next year!
I have been doing a 6wk throwing course at Darling Downs Pottery, these are some pictures of some of my thrown pieces.
Inspirational Artist for Ceramics
The main inspirations for ceramics in my life are local to Toowoomba. I find Jane Orme and Aurora Elwell very inspirational, I enjoy there passion and openness to sharing there knowledge. I love listening to their podcast and learn a lot from it. I have nearly completed Auroras wheel throwing class at the Darling Downs Pottery Club and have learnt lots. My other two big inspirations are lecturer David Usher and Laboratory Technician Peta Berghofer. Both of these individuals are great role models, they always listen and try to explain concepts to me. I love the work they make and aspire to make work of similar one day.
Another artist a bit further afield is Lisa Belsky, she makes work based around fabrics which I find very fun and inspirational.
