Ceramics 2

Eli Dimmick "Rosetta"

12.4 in wide, 9.8 in tall, Ceramic Clay, Glaze, 2024 

This artwork is my expressive piece; a bust. My idea was just to create a woman, existing peacefully. The only quirk for this piece is that my bust's face is turned stageright. I got this idea from a quick sketch I did on the very first day of class. I drew a side profile of a woman and decided that was going to become my clay project. 

She was a very long process. I believe it took me about two months! I had to create the shoulder base structure, and then the neck/head on top. It was scary since it could collapse at any moment. There were lots of structural changes throughout the process. After I had the shoulders and face created, I had to design a bowl top that would fit in her head. Easily enough, it only took me two classes. Then I spent roughly three weeks on the facial details. 

I wish to put flowers in the bowl top, to symbolize a druid-like woman. A person connected with nature. Now since the image doesn't include flowers, you unfortunately cannot see the idea I wish to present. I want viewers to look at this piece and wonder what the inspiration was. I want them to ponder why this was created, and think about how they would decorate it.

The most difficult part of her process was most definitely her face. Her facial details look so much time, but only because I wanted it to. It didn't feel right to rush that part. I wanted her to look exactly how i had her pictured in my mind. 

This artwork is a realism piece. It's a replication of a woman. What is unique about Rosetta, is that instead of a front profile, she is set at left-facing for the viewer. I wanted to add a touch of uniqueness to her, and this is how I went about doing so.  

Eli Dimmick "Three Buddies"

1-2 in wide, 2 in tall, Ceramic Clay, Acrylic Paint, 2024 

These pieces are simply three bunnies. I created them because I knew they would be a cute and thoughtful gift for my boyfriend! 

These bunnies were sadly not created with my own hands. They were made from a mold. Most people think molds are just cheating, but more than plenty of work and elbow grease goes into making something with a mold. First, I created a bucket of slips You mush clay and water together to create a pudding-like slip. It is so much work. Then, I secured my mold and carefully filled it with my slip mixture. Every few minutes, I had to add more slip. It's such a time-consuming process. Once the mold was full, I had to tip it upside down and allow the mold to empty. After waiting, I cut off the access, carved the bunnies out, and fired them. My last step was painting them! 

These bunnies, to me, are going to remind me to just have fun and relax. Bunnies are so cute and really grounds me when i see one in nature. I specifically chose and mixed these colors because i wanted these bunnies to give feelings of ease and happiness. The light, pastel colors are to remind the viewer (me and my boyfriend) to just live life peacefully, like a wild bunny.

The most difficult thing was filling and allowing the slip to fill up the mold over and over again. It wasn't bad, it was just a long process. 

These pieces are realistic. They are replicas of real bunnies.