Pinch Pots

Essential Question: How do artists learn from trial and error?

Reflection: 

• I was inspired to create a large, multi-opening, pinch pot when I saw one that was in the classroom. I began with a large block of clay and started to round it out just a bit. Then, I pushed holes into areas that I wanted to start an opening, then began to widen those holes and thin the edges out. Slowly, the clay began to form into a shape that was undecided by me and I just let it form how it wanted to. This process created an organic, coral-like look that I loved. After making sure all the edges of the openings were even and thin I made a simple sturdy base that would hold it up. In that base, I bored out the inside to ensure there was no explosion in the kiln when I fired it. I think my multi-opening piece is my best one because it was a very ambitious project for me but I accomplished it and I’m very proud and impressed with myself.

• The steps to glazing your pinch pot are as follows: firstly, you need to get a damp sponge and wipe down every surface that you’ll be glazing to ensure there is no dust from the dry clay. Then you choose the glaze you want to use and paint it onto the pinch pot. If you are doing two layers of glaze you need to ensure that the first layer dries entirely before starting the second layer. After glazing, you wipe the brush off on the edge of the bottle then wipe down the rim of excess glaze. To clean the brush you first wash it in the glaze water to get all of the excess glaze out then you rinse it out under the sink. 

• I want to try another multi-opening and use glazes that I have never used before and experiment with how they interact and turn out.