Scgraffito Cup

Artist Statement: 

For our first project of the year, we worked on creating cups to familiarize ourselves with clay and the various materials involved. I began by wedging and rolling out a slab of clay, cutting it into a rectangle, and wrapping it around a container to form the base. I then cut out and attached the bottom using slip, smoothing everything to eliminate any cracks or indents. Once the structure was complete, I chose the colors for the underglaze, sgraffitoed my design, and applied a clear glaze.

I opted for a fall theme to reflect the season, incorporating maple leaves, acorns, and a pumpkin. I used red underglaze on the exterior and white on the interior to complement the white sgraffito designs, finishing with a clear glaze to preserve the original colors after firing.

During the process, I encountered some challenges with smoothing the cup, but I realized the clay was too dry. By adding slip and using the proper smoothing tools, the task became more manageable. I also looked up images of maple leaves to ensure my designs were accurate. I focused on using line, shape, and color to create a balanced and cohesive pattern.

Overall, I’m pleased with how the project turned out. The design is strong, and the cup feels sturdy. While the rim is slightly uneven, it's something I’ll aim to improve on in my next piece.