Need HELPful ideas


Okay so you’ve heard me whine and complain for the last 13 months about my masters program at Boston University…one more time, it’s been tough, really tough.
I’m writing an autoethnographic research paper on wheel throwing. I’ve always wanted to learn to throw with consistency and precision.  What better place to get tips, methods and techniques than from my wonderful online community of artist educators.
If you’re an expert or struggling in this art form I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts, ideas, tips etc..
Don’t be shy, let’s learn this together!
Thanks

Image from http://fineartamerica.com/featured/the-potters-wheel-liz-alderdice.html

Comments

  1. Ms NovakSeptember 22, 2013 at 10:23 AM

    As far as centering goes - I found that if I took the hand that was on the side of the clay and stuck that elbow in my hip bone my arm wouldn't flail about quite to much and would actually move the clay to center far faster than if I tried to man handle it.

    I think rest of it just takes a lot of practice and patience - I know every time I tried to rush I put a finger through the edge.

    Also - if you need to sneeze -- HANDS OFF! ;)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Twitter

Image
Thanks to mesmrswhitesclass.blogspot.com  who gave me the idea for this bulletin board. When our district kicked off the new school year, teachers spent time "Tweeting" each other as part of our break out session. While I lOVE lots of technology I am still a bit old school and like paper and pencil in hand. My oldest son is a SUPER senior in architecture and I remember him telling me how some students struggled with perspective drawing because they had learned only in a computer program unlike Jeff who learned the way I did over 25 years ago. Just today I had a teacher ask me advice about her son's college direction and I always say, "Tons of kids want to be game designers or graphic designers, do them a favor and make them take a ceramics or sculpture class, they need to experience 3D, hands on." Okay, off my soapbox. This was just a fun idea and by 2:00 the board was FULL of ideas on how "Awesome" a teacher is or how a grade level "Rocks!"...
Read more

Cupcakes!

Image
I have seen several art teachers do this lesson and I knew I had to try it. I purchased metal molds from Bed,Bath and Beyond. Day one the students push a ball of clay into the mold and cut off the extra clay. Then they form a pinch pot for the top portion adding any details. I have them put their name on a piece of paper to separate the two pieces so I can later add their names to the bottom. One piece of advice, make sure you have at least a 1/4 inch thickness around the mold. It it's too thin it will crack.  Bisque fire then glaze, day two and three.
Read more

Lines with Kinders

Image
In past years I have usually done a two day lesson on Mondrian. We paint large black lines across our body and then paint in primary colors the next lesson. This year I have a young (er) group of students and since it's only week 3 they are still learning procedures in the art room. I decided instead to discuss line in a different way. On top of that some wonderful staff member put a HUGE stack of precut strips of colored paper on my desk. I HAVE AN IDEA!   We discussed how lines can bend and fold and go over and under.  The students were so excited. I also tried out plastic containers with sponges soaked in glue.  Much less messy but make sure the sponges are just barely moist as water and glue make an adhesive that may not stick as well.  An update on the master's research...10 more weeks and I won't know what to do with the 20+ hours I will have to, oh I don't know, create ART!
Read more