Jewelry I students have been hard at work on scrollwork earrings. We finished bending, and have moved on to using hammers to 'peen' the surface, creating line weight, and drawing emphasis to one part of the earring. Next, we've been working on filing burr off the ends and the plier marks off the edges, and sanding the faces to remove any hammer marks and scratches. The next steps will be working up through the levels of sandpaper to achieve a mirror finish by hand. This skill will serve the students well later in the course when they can't use the power equipment for sanding because their work is too delicate, or it's just not the right tool for the job. The emphasis in this project is on learning to see, understanding domain specific vocabulary, and getting the tools to cooperate. Each project is unique, with it's own inherent challenges, and students must notice, reflect, adapt and adjust. It's an exciting process to watch, and there's nothing better than a great 'I did it!' moment!
Ceramics I students just finished their monster project. They are animated little creatures, that show a sophisticated exploration of form, texture, and emphasis. Most students indicated little experience with clay since perhaps elementary school, so this project was a great entry into understanding domain specific vocabulary, states of clay (and what to do and when), tools, the elements of art, and how to put it all together to get the clay to cooperate. The last days, we took time to draw emphasis to the focal points of our sculpture by removing extraneous detail with sureforms, scrub sponges and brushes. We then took time to record what and how we did it in pictures and words, reflected on the process of making and posted finished projects to pinterest portfolios (titled 'my work' or 'portfolio') so that student growth can be seen visually over time. Check our your child's pinterest page, or check out my 'student work' pinterest board. The project is formally due on Friday 2/12, extended from Wednesday 2/10 due to snow days.
Ceramics II students have busted out on the wheel. Most students have somewhere between 6 and 15 pots created, and are moving on to the finishing stage. We are working on hand and wheel trimming the forms, carving, texturing, and adding handles to make finished forms with consideration for unity in form, foot, rim and additions. Students' developing confidence in wheel is evident as they center their clay adeptly and begin to focus on reflecting and modifying techniques for pulling, compressing rims, and shaping. Students are recording their progress in weekly blog posts. You can find your child's blog by clicking on my 'student blogs' pinterest board.