pattern making

Today I had a meeting with Zach Castedo-Rodgers a recent MFA graduate from the University of Florida where he is currently teaching as adjunct faculty. My ceramics professor Anna Calluori Holcombe had recommended that I meet with Zach to help guide me in pattern making. Zach has exceptional skill in Illustrator and had great patience leading me through the program. He also recommended I explore lynda.com which provides software training.

My current art practice involves designing personal patterns that are screen printed with underglaze. I then transfer portions of the pattern onto the leather-hard surface of my work. When I first began ceramics I don't remember having much concern for the surface, I was absorbed in creating forms. As artists and educators, I am asking you to think before you glaze and think before you bisque. The ceramic surface is rich with possibility if only you open yourself and your students to exploring it. Thank you Zach for opening me to a new world of pattern making!

there is something special about clay

My dear friend and classmate Monica Patterson recently shared with me that this month Art & Activities is all about clay! They have articles that include several clay project ideas from masks to character bowls. As well as a short historical article on Southwest Indian Pottery. It is no surprise that my favorite article was a teapot lesson plan for upper elementary students- Teapots with A Twist. (p. 26-27) During undergrad I studied abroad in China through the West Virginia University China Ceramics Program. I came home with a new appreciation for tea and teapots. I went on to create a teapot lesson plan that was reject by my instructor because it was to difficult and maybe it was… but it is refreshing to see someone else putting teapot making into practice!

Link to the February issue of Art & Activities.

where do ideas come from?

“Ideas are formed in the mind of a child by abstraction and generalization from the facts revealed to him through the senses; that only what he himself has perceived of the visible and tangible properties of things can service as the basis of thought.” Woodward

tying the knot

As most of you know Forrest and I are getting hitched June 16, 2012 and we can hardly wait! I am in the midst of my thesis work at the University of Florida where I am pursuing a master’s degree in art education with an emphasis in ceramics. Forrest is finishing up his first year as a MFA ceramics grad at Louisiana State University. Forrest and I are both passionate artists and educators. This blog will provide a platform to share our ideas, work, and life.

For my thesis project, I am creating a website resource for educators using clay in the classroom. This idea lead me to create a blog to accompany my site and onto create this blog for Forrest and I. Welcome and let the journey begin!

Welcome

Welcome readers! The idea for this blog sprung up from my current thesis work. I am in the process of creating a website resource for educators who want to use clay in the classroom. I plan to use this blog as a supplement to the website, a space that will be ever changing. I will use it as a way to share information that comes along from exciting art shows to my own personal artwork. I hope that teacher, artists, ceramicists alike will use this as a resource for information and inspiration. Thank you!