Splash! Ann-Sidney Ragsdale Elements of Ceramics Class of 2023
Having played around with clay at my middle school, I decided that taking this class would be fun and a way to expand my relationship with the medium. When it was time to start looking around for inspiration for our show I gravitated towards unique textures, designs, and techniques that I wanted to attempt. However, what stood out to me most was the glaze designs I kept seeing. I decided to try and create my own flare on my pieces with glaze on my pots and vases. In order to execute the drips and color effects you see on my work, I would usually start with a dip base of white or black. Then, if going for a marbled drip, I would lightly mix two complementary colors together and dip the rim into that, allowing for the excess to drip down the sides. When trying for the ombre like effect you see on a few of my pieces, I put my clean piece on a turntable and spun it while I poured the colors. I also took inspiration from some of the pieces I saw around the studio and tried to mimic the color effects while making it my own. On many of my uniquely shaped pieces, I tried to accentuate the focal point of the piece. For example, on my slip covered piece (made by applying globs of slip to a leatherhard, thrown cylinder) I dipped it in white glaze and applied color only to the rim and points of the fired slip. When considering how I wanted to display my pieces, I decided I wanted to do something simple to allow my pieces to speak for themselves. That is why I choose to put baby's breath flowers in some of my vases. I am really proud of my improvement in all factors of throwing this semester, however I am most proud of my trimming skills. Throughout our creating period, I learned how to trim a bowl, vase, and cylinder and I also learned how to do so on a chuck successfully. I see myself continuing in ceramics and advancing my glazing techniques and making more challenging forms (especially vases) in the future.