Zach Taylor

Z a c k T a y l o r

Totem Mug

1. I created this sculpture by using clay to sculpt a totem mug. I started by using coils of clay to build up the structure of the pot itself. After I had the foundation, I smoothed out the clay on both the inside and outside and began on the face itself. I pushed out the clay from the inside and used my thumbs to sculpt a nose, using the fingers inside as a base to sculpt around. I then stuck my wood tool up the bottom of the nose in two places to create nostrils. Once I had finished the nose, I pushed in from the outside on the left and right of the top of the nose for eyes. I created two more coils to create a mouth which I attached to each other using grey slip. Once I was done with these, I made a much thicker coil for the handle. I used the scratch and slip technique to attach the handle to the top and then pinched the bottom of the coil so it would not be too big as I attached it to the bottom. I then painted around the entire handle with slip so that it would stay together as I worked on the eyes. I made two coils that I pinched into circular shapes and placed them over the dents I had made previously for the eyes. My last step was making two more coils and placing them over the eyes for eyebrows.

2. My work expresses a comedic effect and has a cartoony look. It is not very realistic and gives off a humorous tone. I also drew inspiration from cartoons I watched when I was younger. I tried to exaggerate the eyes and make them unrealistic.

3. My goal for the project was to make the art cartoony. I think I succeeded in this goal and surpassed my expectations. I started off trying to take it seriously but got bored, so I reevaluated my work. I cut off the chunk of face I had previously made and started from scratch. I had much more enjoyment and I think the art looks much better. I learned that I enjoy making more comedic pieces rather than artwork representing serious issues.

Line Sculpture

1. I see multiple designs that are each divided into sections by straight lines. Some of the designs in each section go into other sections. There is a mixture of curved and straight lines as well as zigzag lines. Each pattern is different and seems continuous, as if they do not stop and go on behind the borders. There are several patterns in which dots are surrounded by shapes.

2. On one side, there is a black dot that appears to be resembling a vortex of some sort in which my eyes can rest. On the other side, there is a pattern in the middle with opposite patterns on each side in which my eyes can rest. The lines seem to be continuous and ongoing beyond the section which gives a feeling of unrest. There seems to be somewhat of a line that leads from the top of the shape to the bottom throughout all the sections.

3. The primary objective of this piece is to keep the viewer’s eyes observing the patterns. The lines give a feeling of unrest, however, there is one place in which the viewer’s eyes can rest on each side. Several patterns appear to be optical illusions which give a feeling of curiosity and keep the viewer’s attention.

4. For the most part, I like this piece of art. I think the patterns were done very well and met their purpose of keeping the viewer’s attention. The one thing I would change is the amount of line variation in terms of thickness. There are many variations between straight lines, curved lines, etc, however there are less variations between thick and thin lines. Most of the patterns are nice and clean which is easily what was done best as well as a few of the illusions created.

Organic Coil Pot

1. I see a bowl in which there are ruffles that get progressively larger as they climb to the top. While the circumference of the coils grows, the thickness does not always grow. Some coils are thicker while others above it may be thinner. There are swirls that are attached to the pot itself. On one side of the pot, there are five swirls. On the opposite side, however, there are three.

2. The ruffles used give a sense of ongoing action, keeping the viewer watching. The ruffles give a feeling of unease. The pot itself also gives the viewer a feeling of unrest. This is because of the imperfections of the pot itself. Each imperfection made seems to be intentional and promotes the idea of unease.

3. The purpose of the piece seems to be to get the viewer to realize that the pot does not have to be a perfect shape. The pot is in many ways “imperfect.” Nothing is the same nor symmetrical which seems to be intentional. The sides go up to different heights. The coils themselves are different sizes and thicker on some ends than others. Even the swirls are different sizes and shaped differently.

4. I like the art, because I like how it was made to not be perfect. It is still balanced and serves its purpose as a bowl, but it is made in a way that everything about it is different to that of a typical bowl. Nothing is the same in the piece itself as well. The best thing about the piece is that it serves its purpose of not being perfect and makes it clear that that is the purpose. The worst thing about the piece is also the best thing. It is clearly not perfect which bothers me as an OCD person.