Sgraffito

Artist statement:

For this project, we were asked to make a sgraffito slab. We were supposed to make the slab in any shape that we want, but with enough thickness that it wouldn't crack and so that we could carve into it without breaking through the bottom. I decided early on in this class that I wanted my entire portfolio of projects at the end of the semester to be cohesive. I have such a passion and love for the ocean and everything that lives within it that I decided my theme was going to represent this. So, to launch this idea I started with my sgraffito design including a drawing of a shark and the words, "protect the locals". I specifically used the words respect the locals because sharks have such a bad reputation and I think that is so unfair for such majestic creatures.

I started my slab with the shape of a rectangle by slapping repeatedly onto the table and then smoothing it out with a roller. I cut out the specific rectangle dimensions I wanted with about 1/2" width(because I knew that it would shrink in the kiln.) Then, after letting it dry a fair amount I added three coats of a dark blue underglaze. I then used tracing paper over my sketch to add to my slab of clay. I then used a sharp pokey tool to actually poke in my design and then used that same pokey tool to draw deeper into the clay my design. I made sure not to actually poke all the way through the clay though. Then after those three coats were officially dried, I got bisque fired and then I added three coats of my clear glaze to create a shiny surface after a glaze firing.

I did really end up liking the final product of this tile because I thought it truly represented my style and my vision for the ocean theme. If I were to do this again I would probably space out the letters "protect" a little more so that I could draw the boxes around them a little bit more distinctly and therefor make them easier to read with still a unique geometric effect. I also would mess around with deciding where the letters "the locals" fit best because I could picture multiple ways they could fit.