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KateLynn Simmons "Chip and Dip"
8” X 8” and 3” X 3”, Stoneware Clay and Glass, 2022
For the slump drape project, I decided that I wanted to make the sizes capable to hold hummus and vegetables for my mom and me to use. I wanted a cute simple pattern that had different layers so my glazed layers could show. I used two different clay slabs imprinted a pattern from fabric on the clay, then draped them over a larger and smaller size of foam ring. After a day of drying, I added 3 feet to each veggie and hummus bowl. The most difficult part was making the feet even and look the way I wanted them to. If I could go back and change something I would have made sure that I cut around the edges of the larger bowl more evenly. This is a functional piece and I love the glaze that I chose for it the most. The color combination is very my style and I love it.
KateLynn Simmons "Baseline"
8” X 9”, Stoneware Clay and Glass, 2022
My idea for my baseline project was to make an elevated bowl whit a butterfly design to use for food. After the first fire, I realized that the clay sank a little while drying and the bowl would be more fit as jewelry or key holder. I was inspired by the butterfly ring that I wear every day to make this. I slabbed a circular piece of clay and then pinched a border around it. After it dried for a day I attached the feet to it. The butterfly in the center is the most symbolic imagery in the work and it represents the importance of butterflies in my life. The most difficult part of this project for me was creating the border and stopping the piece from sinking the wrong way. If I were to redo this project I would make the base of the bowl by using the slump drape technique and letting it dry for longer before firing it. I love the coloring the most in this piece because it looks almost like clear lake water and I think it is beautiful.
KateLynn Simmons "Vase"
5” X 3” X 9”, Stoneware Clay and Glass, 2022
With my vase, I really wanted to make my piece different from the last few that I made and try a new style. I cut out two clay slabs to make this, one being the base and the other being the body of the vase. After I slipped and scored the pieces together I pinched a spout at the top of the vase. When glazing I wanted it to look like there was water dripping down from the top of the vase so I used a black obsidian color and a darker blue to make the water drops. When looking at the piece in person I want the audience to think there is water dripping from the vase. The most difficult part of making this piece was connecting the body piece together in the shape that I wanted without it cracking. It ultimately took a lot of slip, but the piece turned out how I wanted it to. If I could go back and change something I would have used a lighter color of blue than the one I chose. This is a functional piece and I love that it is sparkly in the black and blue colors, I think that makes it look magical.
Wheel thrown pottery
KateLynn Simmons "Utilitarian"
Stoneware clay and glass, 2022
My idea for this three-week utilitarian project was to create different incense holders to use around my house. To get inspiration for this project I looked on Pinterest and found some fun ideas such as the bear on the leaf idea, however, the inspo was a bird on a leaf. For each of the three incense holders, I started the process by making the base out of a clay slab. The bowl shape, heart, and leaf, then I let them dry for a day or so. Then I attached the other parts of the pieces by slipping and scoring with a needle tool and using wood tools and a wet paintbrush to smooth. The bear on the leaf represents comfort and relaxation which is part of the feelings of incense. The most difficult part of all of these projects was deciding how big to make the incense hole in the piece. I was afraid if I made it the size it needed it would shrink but I also didn’t want to make it too big. I ended up making each one a little bigger than it needed but to solve the problem I put a piece of wax in it and it works great. If I could change anything from these projects I would change the first incense holder’s glaze. I would have rather made it something brighter like blue or pink. This is a utilitarian style and I love each of them because of their unique styles.
KateLynn Simmons "Expressive"
Stoneware clay and glass, 2022
For my expressive project, my idea was to create two pots that match each other that resemble plants or flowers. Originally I wanted the pots to look like aloe vera plants, however, I ended up liking the idea of making one of the pots look like a sunflower plant and another look more dark aloe. For both of the bases of the pots, I made them on the wheel. Then after they got to the shape that I liked, I started making the shapes of the leaf that I wanted. After the pots and leafs dried I slipped and scored each of them on in a particular fashion. I want the audience to think about forming nature into art and useful items. The most difficult part about this project was patience. When I attached each leaf it took a while to mold the clay to make it look smooth and not just attached. Then after I attached each one it took a while to go back and smooth all the edges as well. If I could start over one thing I would do is change the color of the smaller, second pot because I’d like it to be more of natural color. This piece is an abstract expressive piece and I think it’s very my style because it shows my love for nature.
Stop motion project.mp4KateLynn Simmons "Peter Rabbit’s Breakfast"
Modeling clay, cardboard, Imovie, 2022
My idea for this project was originally to have a character make a quick breakfast. I really liked this idea because it was simple and quick, yet cute and fun. As I kept brainstorming I really liked the idea of making it like a kids “show” type animation and thats how I came up with the rabbit idea. I started creating the bunny with the modeling clay which was quite difficult while my partners worked on the set. We decided on using colored paper and a little cardboard box to make the whole set. As we went on making the set we kept adding more and more details until we loved the product. I really hope when the audience watches this stop-motion animation they think about childhood shows such as Peter Rabbit or Max and Ruby. The most difficult part of making this project was the rabbit itself. The modeling clay was quite difficult to work with and very messy working with another color on white. As well the ear was having trouble staying attached to the head. I overcame these struggles with lots of patience and using pieces of modeling clay as glue. What I love the most about this project is the little set, I think it turned out beautifully and truely looks like a tiny kitchen.
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