Makers Mark Stamp

Artist Statement

For this first project, I created a signature stamp out of clay to utilize on my future pieces to mark them as my own. It was both an opportunity to experiment with shaping the clay and getting familiar with its texture as well as practicing more intricate drawing and carving into the material.

I created it so that it would have a sturdy, yet not too large, handle, and a rounded, smooth form throughout all aspects except the design itself, simply for aesthetic purposes. My signature is one that I have utilized for approximately a year now on much of my art work, so naturally I wanted to translate it to the 3D pieces as well.

To make this stamp, I started with a fairly small amount of clay, approximately the size of a cherry tomato, which I formed into a long, smoothed over cone like shape. I tapped and scraped the larger end to create a flat surface onto which I was able to transfer my design using tracing paper once the clay had lost some moisture. Before it became too brittle or too dry to work with, I started to carve away outside of my sketched design, which I had to mirror so that it would stamp properly, using the needle tool. I was careful to not take away too much at once, for it started to get to a state of fragility where ends and points had the ability of breaking off.

Overall, I am delighted with how this first, quick project came out, not only because I find it aesthetic and detailed, but also because of its utilitarian purpose, as it will remain functional throughout the remainder of the year and beyond whenever I am working with clay.