Ceramic Projects

Will Dinh "Ship"

6x8 Glazed Stoneware, 2026

My idea for my 3d painting was to make a ship sailing towards a mountain. It originally was supposed to only be a ship in the middle of the ocean, but once I realized how plan that was gonna be, I decided to add clouds, fish, and even land.

I had to make the circle of the clay first, then add the ship, mountain, and clouds separately. The criteria of the project were to have 5 layers of clay or detail. I slipped and scored each thing for a base, then slowly added clay on top to add detail, and used the needle tools and scrapers to add even more detail.

My artwork really doesn't have a meaning, but when someone looks at it, I want them to think of a pirate ship. There isn't really any imagery in my project; it's pretty straightforward.

The most difficult part was definitely glazing it in a way that I liked. I feel like I could've added more pop to it, but if I had to start over, I would add more bright colors that pop instead of keeping the entire thing a moody color.

The style of art is realistic, the ships are real, and I was trying to make the ship look like an actual ship. I did this by adding grooves that resemble wood planks, aswell as windows and sails to the ship. I love the overall depth and detail of everything about the piece, the color might not be perfect but the depth is amazing.

Will Dinh "iPhone"

3x6 Painted Stoneware, 2026

My idea was to create a small sculpture that looks like an iPhone to represent how much technology is part of our everyday life. I got the idea from constantly seeing people using their phones. And over time, I added more and more colors and colored the apps different colors to represent different apps.

First, I shaped the clay into a small rectangular form to resemble a phone. Then I carved and added details like the screen and buttons before letting it dry. After that, I painted the surface carefully to create the design and finished it with final touches.

The most difficult part was shaping the clay and keeping the details neat at such a small size. I overcame this by taking my time and adjusting the shape little by little. If i started over I would spend more time refining the details and making the edges cleaner.

The most difficult part was just shaping the clay as well as the little buttons on the screen.

It is realistic because it is based on a real object.

Will Dinh "Emerald Pot"

6x6x4 Glazed Stoneware, 2026

The idea for this piece was to make a small, earthy bowl that felt natural and "found" rather than manufactured. I was inspired by the colors you see in a forest after it rains, which is why I went with that deep green.

I made this piece on the pottery wheel. I started by centering the clay, which was honestly the hardest part, and then I opened it up and pulled the walls to get the height. Finally, I painted it a dark green glaze and fired it so it would have that shiny, glass-like finish.

The bowl represents growth and nature. I want people to look at it and feel a sense of calm, like they’re looking at a small pond. 

The most difficult part for me was controlling the clay on the wheel. There were a few times when the walls started to wobble or get too thin at the top, and I almost lost the whole thing. If I could start over, I’d probably try to make the rim a little more even, but I actually kind of like that it’s a bit wavy because it makes it look more original.

I’d say the style is Abstract and Organic. It’s unique to me because I didn't try to make it look perfect or like something you’d buy at a big store.

Will Dinh "Volcano Bowl"

6x7x7 Glazed Stoneware, 2026

For this one, I wanted to go with a much darker and more intense vibe. My main idea was to make something that looked like it had been through a fire or like a piece of cooled-down lava. 

I threw this piece on the pottery wheel. I focused on keeping the base solid and making the walls a little thicker so it felt "heavy" and substantial. After I centered it and pulled the walls, I used a sponge to clean up the inside, but I left some of the natural throwing lines on the outside for texture

This bowl represents inner strength. The dark, rough-looking exterior is like the tough stuff we deal with on the surface, while the red pops on the inside represent the passion or "fire" people keep hidden within themselves.

The hardest part was definitely layering the glazes. I was super worried that the dark glaze would just cover up all the red and it would come out looking like a big black blob. I had to be really careful about how much I put on the rim.

I’d describe this style as Abstract and Expressionistic. It’s unique to my style because I like art that feels a bit "messy" and emotional rather than being super clean and perfect.

Will Dinh "Warrior With Spear"

6x8 Glazed Stoneware, 2026

My idea was to create a decorative wall hanging that looked like an ancient artifact or something you’d find in a history museum. I’ve always liked the look of cave paintings and old tribal art, so I wanted to make a little character that felt like it was part of a story.

This was a slab-built piece. I started by rolling out a flat piece of clay and cutting it into that vase-like shape. Then I used the slip-and-score technique to attach the little person, the trees on the sides, and the wavy patterns at the bottom. I used a needle tool and some wooden carving tools to add textures like the dots along the top and the details on the trees.

This piece represents adventure and curiosity. The figure in the middle is like a traveler or an explorer, and the wavy lines at the bottom represent water or a journey. I want the audience to think about the past and how people used to tell stories through clay and stone.

The most difficult part was definitely getting the small pieces to stay on. When you’re sticking tiny arms and legs onto a flat slab, they want to fall off or crack as they dry. I also struggled with the glaze; I didn't want the dark colors to run into the lighter parts of the character. If I did it again, I’d probably try to make the background have even more texture, like it was carved into real stone.

I would describe this style as Illustrative and Folk Art. It’s unique to me because I like making characters that look a little bit "cartoony" but still have a serious, old-school feel to them. It's not supposed to look like a real person; it's more about the vibe.