Clay Sets and Series
Creating Clay Sets and Series:
What constitutes a "set"? What about a "series"?
A SET consists of several objects that are in a well-defined collection and have some commonality between them. Typically, we think of 3 or more objects in this grouping. For example, a set of bowls can incorporate 3 or more bowls that are similar in shape, color, size, texture, or other element.
A SERIES is an ongoing collection of work that involves a common theme, not necessarily in visual representation, but in concept. The visual commonality is present, but not as much as in a set, where coordinating features are more prominent. A series can involve different appearances but the same theme or concept. For example, a series of bowls can have the theme of "Art of Outer Space" and features images of all the above: aliens, celestial bodies and planets, comets, stars, spaceships, satellites, etc.
For this assignment, you are to create a set of objects (at least 3) that look like they are a part of a well-defined collection with some commonality OR create a series of work in which objects of a similar theme are grouped together, not necessarily " 100% matching" in appearance.
Some things to consider when creating your set:
What do the objects look like? Are they similar shape? Similar color? Similar size? Do they have coordinating textures on the outside?
Are they all identical or simply coordinating?
What is the purpose of the objects? Are they functional? Nesting inside each other? Placed next to each other?
Are they decorative? Are they plates? Bowls? Cups? Spoons? Figurines? Sculptures of abstract design?
The possibilities are endless! This project deals more with the creative thought process of designing a set of objects that are seemingly coordinated or matching as part of a collection, being of at least 3 objects.
Featured Artist: Jessica Green
Jessica Green is a local Indiana county artist who uses ceramic work to make a bold statement! Mrs. Green currently resides in Indiana, PA with her husband and two sons and teaches art at Punxsutawney School District. In addition to her education career, she owns her own business called Jess Green Ceramics and sells homemade pottery.
Her first series involved hand painted animals on tumblers with underglaze. The underglaze allowed her to achieve a level of value that gloss glaze cannot reach. A few of the animals she has painted have been giraffes, chickadees, llamas, dogs, whales, and a couple Dapper T-Rex, as seen below.
She also has experimented with textures and contrasting glaze colors, as in her berry series, also shown below. In this series, the berries are created with the sgraffito techniques (scratching away at the existing layer of glaze or paint) against an underglaze with a clear glaze over top and contrasts with the opposite side of a shimmery black dip glaze. Her favorite is her Dandelion series of hand-painted dandelions with an inner contrast of a deep blue.
Mrs. Green has also created various bowls, mugs, plates, and other shapes of drinkware, exhibiting in shows such as "The Art of the Drink" held at the Butler Art Center (@butlerartofthedrink) every November, the "SIP: A Ceramic Cup Show" in Atlanta, Georgia (@savannahclaycommunity), and the Indiana County Potters Tour every October (@potterstour).
You can follow her on Instagram with her handle @jessgreenceramics or on Facebook, as well, to show your support for a local artist!
