5.5" x 2" x 6", Stone-ware and Glass, 2024 

Although we learned how to make these as an assignment in class I got my idea from Ms. Garrity. I saw her make a pitcher and liked how it turned out, so I tried to make mine similar.  In making this pitcher we were taught how to use the slab roller, I used this to my advantage. I rolled a slab and then used an old place mat to create the design. I rolled the design onto the clay and then cut my slab into a symmetrical piece. I lathered the ends in slip and folded the halves together. There was a small seam down the inside so I added a supportive coil for structural integrity.  I traced the bottom of the pitcher with a needle tool and created the bottom out of the extra clay I cut out before. I slipped the bottom and attached it. I smoothed out all of the cracks and seams whilst, I formed the spout of the pitcher. We fired my pitcher and I put 4 layers of Blue Rutile glaze. We fired the pitcher and got the final artwork. Every time I look at this pitcher I see a bird, that wasn't my full intent but I feel as if others should see it too. Whether it is from the flower overlay that looks like feathers or the spout of the pitcher looking like a beak. So the design and symbolism may not mean anything specific or mean anything but it is an image that resembles a bird and I hope others see that. The most difficult part for me on this project was having to face the fact that this pitcher wasn't going to be the best thing I've ever made. When I thought about it this is the second thing I've made out of clay since I was little. This helped me overcome the fact it isn't going to be perfect as long as I improve. If I were able to start over on this pitcher I would go in right away with a positive attitude.  This is a utilitarian artwork due to the fact it was finished with food-safe glaze meaning it can be used. Something I have in each of my artworks is a mistake, whether it is intentional or not I think it is what makes my artwork perfect.   

Large- 8" x 8" x 2" Small- 4" x 4" x 2" , Stone-ware and Glass, 2024

The slump drape idea to make bowls tracks back generations. This was a class assignment however I knew what I wanted mine to look like. I knew I wanted funky textures and designs on these bowls. Other than that I came up with the glazes and different ideas as the project went on. I cut and turned several pieces of clay into slabs. I had to connect two slabs to make the big bowl. After turning them into slabs I pressed a design into each bowl. I put it on a styrofoam ring and slammed it onto the table. This was to make the overall bowl shape. After this, cleaned up the cracks and edges and put it into the kiln room to dry. I used emerald green and midnight blue to glaze these. They went through the kiln one more time and were finished. Although this bowl was a grade, It still didn't come without its meaning. These bowls symbolize growth in my artwork. Whether you look at my pitcher or my magnet I can tell that I've improved. I hope everyone looks at these with enjoyment just like I do.

The most difficult part of these bowls was making sure it was even. Whether it was spinning it around to get it symmetrical or making sure all of the bottom was even and flat. It took time but I know I did my best and am proud about it. If I were to start over I would tell myself that this takes time and it's okay to take a long time as long as you're happy with the final project. I think this is a practical piece of art because it can be used in daily life. However, when it comes to my own style I think this fits in. Whether the mistake is intentional or not I take to own it and make it my own.  I love the glaze on these pieces and it brings out the design. 

3" x 2.5" x 2.45", Stone-ware and Glass, 2024

On the first day of school, we were handed a ball of clay and told to make a magnet. I had no idea what I was going to create however I was wearing a bee shirt, so I decided to go with making a bee. My bee evolved from one big bee to a small bee and then finally added some grass and flowers. I started by rolling my ball into a short coil. I cut it and then started to create the wings and the grass. I made this by flattening the excess clay and cutting it out. I made a little stinger and some flowers. After I had all of these pieces made I slipped them together. I start to add some details like the lines on the bee and the small holes in the flowers. I was done after adding the details so it was dried and fired. When it got out of the kiln I painted it with acrylic paints. I used yellow, red, and black while I kept the wings the natural color of the clay. Once everything was dried I hot glued several magnets on it and put it onto the board. Throughout this process, I used needle tools, a ridge tool, and a rolling pin. 

The shirt I was wearing when I  came up with the idea for the bee was about saving the bees. So whenever I think about this piece of art I think about saving the bees and how necessary they are in our daily life. So when you look at this bee it may just be a bee but it also represents the protection and preservation of bees around the world. Overall, when people see this piece of art I hope they realize how important bees are and how we need them to stay around to thrive on this Earth. This was the first thing I've made out of clay in many many years so I wasn't expecting it to look good although I thought it might turn out a little better than it did. The most difficult part for me was getting all of the proportions right, at first the bee was too long then the bee's wings were too square. I overcame this by trial and error. In the end, I think I got the proportions right but if I had to start over I think I would've just chosen a different animal/object. This is due to the fact I don't think even if I started over I could fix this bee. I tried to be realistic with the piece and I think you can definitely tell it is a bee. I think my personal style is making things look broken down and like there's a small mistake whether it is purposeful or not.  I think I incorporated this well. Due to the fact I didn't like this artwork at first I love you that can actually tell it is a bee and not some random bug.