Theme Blog Thing. Y.
My Theme
Practical Aesthetics
Beauty is all well and good, but if it has no purpose - even if just to bolster failing self-esteem, or catch the eye of a certain someone - then what is the point? Nature, even in all its savagery, cannot truly be said to ever lack beauty, even if it is in the complexity of cellular metabolism or the organized chaos of the swirling winds that build and uphold a hurricane's infrastructure. Each hair has its role in insulating a wolf come wintertime, and each outthrust of coral contributes to the whole of the reef.
Why not, then, have the things we make and shape with our hands be the same? Why cannot a piece of molded clay be beautiful, even as it serves as the holder for such homely things as cheese or soup or water? Long before I ever touched a potter's wheel or tool, such has been my goal. Beauty in function, and function hidden by beauty.
The What
Bowls have been my favorite to create. Easy to make, simple to glaze, and with such a wide variety of uses to be had! Of all sizes, yet largely similar in that they share some of my favorite glaze jobs - sand and turquoise together, or thick shadow green.
A few knickknacks shall be included. Some I have made this year, some from my beginning Ceramics class - all fun to make and things I'm happy with.
The How
All, or at least nearly so, of my projects have been made at least partially on the wheel this year. The tools I use the most are the stick and pin tools, a sponge and my hands when the clay is wet. When footing, I use a metal rib tool, large and small loop tools, and the stick tool again. The stick tool is arguably my favorite, for its versatility has made it invaluable from cutting and carving to smoothing and polishing. I love the finish of a polished piece when it's dry but not yet bisqued; it's sleek and shiny and smooth beneath the fingers.
The Why
But why are my pieces important? I believe that they largely show that functionality does not need to compromise the beauty or attractiveness of the piece. While some carve out designs clear through the sides of a piece, you'll not find a one of my projects with holes in it, unless it's for a practical purpose. It is only recently that I have put a name or title to it, but throughout the year my intention has been not only to enjoy the process of making something out of clay, but to also enjoy and be proud of what the end result shows. For me, that means that while I strive to make a piece that is aesthetically pleasing, I also endeavor to insure that it can be used practically, as well. Therefor, my theme all along, whether I was always conscious of it or not, was to make things that looked pretty, but were fully functional.
Final Words
What to say? There's not much more that needs be said, really. I've loved my time in Ceramics, and will miss it once I graduate. There have been times of frustration, times of elation, and times of disappointment. Clay can be temperamental and finicky, but when it cooperates it rewards. Learning its moods and preferences, the when to how of what, has also been a reward in and of itself, as I do love to learn. And never forget the delight of when I'm finally able to bring the completed piece home to show everyone - that brings a satisfaction and elation all on its own.