Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Cup Swap: Round Two

Students and parents made their second cups today...

This one is a tea set on a leaf-shaped tray...

Nice style on these...

Students were given the freedom to create their own designs...

Love this little one, so thin and delicate...

Saying "goodnight" to today's effort...


Sunday, January 11, 2015

Absentee Cups

Rolling out slabs...

Using a texture roller...

Decorative slab gap sealers...

In case any kids are absent, they can have a make-up cup...

These are my very fussy cups that I'll be trading this year...

And now, to dry...

Saturday, January 10, 2015

2015 N.Y. Resolutions

My Grandma's Home

I have been thinking all week about my resolutions for this year. I finally arrived at a conclusion: I am only going to have one resolution. Here it comes. Wait for it. Boom. I'm going to "Take My Time".

This resolution seems simple, but it is overarching. I want to take more time in several areas. I want to take more time to just sit and consider. This photo was taken of my grandma's house. But, the important part of it, is the location. It is the side door, where I used to sit and think, as a child. Also, I would orchestrate my own song and dance performances and dramas there. It was relatively private, as my grandma only opened the door when it was hot outside. The window was covered with a thin, gauzy curtain. It was a place to stop and consider, and to watch the cars driving by on the highway. I had a lot of great ideas form here, in between dance numbers.

It seems like I love to multitask. I get so much done each day, that there is little time to stop and think. Or, even to go slowly. This year, I hope to have some reflective time. One of my best friends just got a plum job working at a large, hands on science museum for adults and kids. She works for the man in charge of the museum. Her boss is a veritable renaissance man. She mentioned that his day planner includes "think time". What a brilliant idea! I need to schedule some think time into my days. Time to reflect about what I create and time to brainstorm ideas.

So, my one resolution is to more carefully orchestrate my day to allow for meditation and thought.
Here's to a happy and enjoyable 2015...

Modern 4th Grade Ohlone Decorative Coiled Baskets

Love the subtle color changes on this basket...
Snappy colors...
Some checker boarding pattern...
Gorgeous lid...
One of mine...
Tonal blue...
Fantastic field of green...
The perfect desk caddy...
Sassy stripes, and a radiant flat basket...
Hanging baskets...
I'm turning this one in for me to grade...

Tuesday, January 6, 2015

Sixth Annual Cup Swap

A raku nautilus shell...

This first cup is just a lesson about how to make a slab cup...

It's that time of year again! Cup Swap! I started this activity back when I first taught third grade. Each student makes two cups. Then, when the cups are completed, students "shop" around for cups to trade. Each student can keep one, and trade one. Or, the student can keep both, and trade none. The final option, is to trade both. I always trade both of mine. It's a blast to see them move through the room and change hands during the swap. Today we made our first round of cups. We had quite a few absent students. They might end up having a "Karen Original" as their second cup. We'll see just exactly when they get back!

This activity teaches so many lessons. First, it teaches about craftsmanship. When you make a well crafted cup, people are eager to trade with you. Next, it teaches building. It's not easy to make a cup that doesn't leak (one year, both of mine leaked). Finally, it teaches kids to understand that art is about sharing and giving. Some of my favorite pieces of art have been pieces that I've traded with friends. In college, I loved walking up to my desk in the BFA studio, and seeing a Chris Wall original waiting for me. I still have paintings, sculptures, and other pieces of art that have been traded. I traded my hand building teacher, Kathryn McBride, some silly thing for an awesome ceramic shell vase. I still love it. But, mostly, I love that she was willing to trade with a lowly student. Another ceramics teacher, Greg Smith, traded me a gorgeous pot for a painting that I made for him. My cat knocked the vase that he made for me, off of the mantle. I actually saved some of the shards, when I was finished sitting on my front porch crying. I'll post photos of next week's cups and of the glazing process...

The second cups will be more free form...

An aerial view...

My kitchen table is full again...

Thursday, January 1, 2015

Working Hard & Having Fun

Getting started with some pieces that have to dry first...

Finished a house sign...

Made a birdie, and had some leftovers...

Placing the molded pieces...

All done...

Throw Back Thursday


Bottle

Here is a collection of some work made last year. I love taking process photos, so there is an assortment of those. It was a good year in the clay shed / studio. Hopefully, my work will continue to progress in 2015…

Finished Bottles
Vase 
Obelisks
Glazing
Wall Pocket
Wall Sign
Tiny Treasure Boxes
Wall Heart