Tate Schlimmer Art Portfolio
Dispair
Dispair
Tate Schlimmer
3 1/2"x2"x 4", Clay, 2022
I first was inspired or had an idea of the "The Thinker" a famous sculpture by Auguste Rodin made in 1902. I wanted to make something similar and I thought that maybe a sad or depressed figure instead.
First I had to get a chunk of clay to make the rock he sits on. After that, I got to work on the human limbs, fingers, feet, and muscles. All of this took a long time to decently perfect. After a while, I was finally satisfied and I had it fired. For my glaze choices, I wanted a golden look for the guy to show even pretty things are filled with grief, misery, guilt, sadness, etc. It ended up being black with the gold showing through which now shows the beauty is trapped by the darkness. I want a basic gray, limestone look for the rock and it came out more perfect than I expected.
I wanted my audience to know he is in pain, and also that he is suffering in some way. My symbolic imagery for this piece is under the darkness there is light.
The most difficult part of making this was making the muscles. I wanted to make a human-like figure. I would change some of the arms and legs because some of the muscles look weird and unhumanly.
Dispair is supposed to represent a realistic style of a human suffering from a great unidentified pain.
Tate Schlimmer
“Chip and Dip Bowl”
Size,Clay, 2022
I was inspired by one of the examples in Mrs.Dunlavey's classroom for the glazing. I wanted to have my dip bowl to have a drip effect with different colors. I got the shape of it from what my Mom will usually do is get a bowl and put it on a plate. The dip in the bowl and the chips on the plate around it.
I wanted to make this on the wheel to get the most circular shape I could get. This would make it have more of a smooth look. First, for the plate, I started making a bowl then flattened it down and centered it so it was all even. I use a sponge and wooden tools to smooth out the surface. Next, I moved on to the bowl which is pretty basic I centered, raised the walls then made the top smooth.
I would like my audience to know that there are many different variations of something you are making. Creativity has no end. No two things are exactly alike so be unique.
I struggled with the plate a little bit because it was hard to get on the wheel because it was thin, wet, and sticky. I would probably wait a couple of minutes longer so that it would dry, making it easier to get off.
I would say this is the closest to a realistic style because it is supposed to be a chip and dip bowl and you can actually use it for that. I love how the drip effect was done but it wasn't the best I could have done so I would have repainted it a different color maybe to make it pop out more.
Tate Schlimmer
Twisted Bowl
3x3x5, Clay and Glaze, 2022
I wanted to make a tall recurve vase top. I wasn't able to make it tall because I didn't have enough clay when I started but I am still happy with how it came out.
For this piece, I used my hands, pottery wheel, needle tool, knife tool, sponges, and some other wooden tools. I started by centering and raising the walls. The hardest part was to curve the top without it falling in. I used sponges to smooth out the edges, and after it was fired I sanded and glazed it.
I think the symbolism is my inspiration from other cultures to create this piece. It was fun to make and I hope I can improve on it in the future.
The hardest part of making this was centering and raising the walls. When I was making this it was harder than usual to center. If I could redo it, I would use more clay.
It's more realistic because I based it off of some other real-life pots. It's more uniques to me because it is was I was able to make with what I had and I am happy about it. It's smooth green with some brown and small.
Tate Schlimmer
“First Mug”
2 1/2"x 2 1/2"x 4", Clay, 2022
This was my first ever wheel-thrown attempt at a mug and I was very happy with it. I got inspiration from always seeing mugs and I thought it would be the easiest thing to make at the stage I was at.
First I started by making a regular-sized tube for the basic cup shape. I used a sponge, needle tool, some wooden tools, and the wheel. After the cup was a little dry I made a handle scored and scratched both ends to help the clay connect to each other. After it was fired I choose Sapphire Float to glaze my mug and It came out beautifully.
The symbolism is how I liked mugs since a young age and was inspired to make it my first project!
The hardest part of making this was making the handle stay at the right angle.
It is realistic because I based the shape on a mug
Tate Schlimmer
“Pitcher”
5x1x6,Clay,2022
I was looking forward to making this, but It turns out I am better at wheel-thrown pottery than hand made pottery. I was inspired by the ancient aztec/egyptian style imprant press that I used.
When I started by flattening out my clay using dough rollers and when it was smooth enough I used the clay press to make it straight. I then choose a shape to use for my pitcher. I choose a smaller more unique shape than the rest. I cut it out and folded it. I then added a bottom to it. After a while, I add the handle. I used a design press, needle tool, a cutout shape, slip, and clay.
The symbolism is probably the ancient designs are cool and we should start using them more.
The hardest part of this was painting and keeping it from collapsing on itself.
I choose to go with an abstract design for this because it's wild and crazy but it goes together well.