Artist Statement

As I expand my horizons in shape and form, I thought it would be interesting to throw some different types of pottery this trimester.  This specific project gave me the chance to work with a smaller vase form with a narrow neck and fluting on the rim.  As I worked on getting the shape of the vase where I wanted to, I had the idea to use the same graphic design from an album cover I like to decorate my work.  It uses a continuous line to map out a multiple floral pattern with a butterfly around the circumference of the piece.  I felt like it needed a softer tone to go with the design so I laid it out over a lavender background.

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This piece focuses on the elements of Line and Shape brought out specifically by the line decorations that runs it's way around the circumference of the vase.  It is also this meandering line that brings out the Movement of the piece since the eye is drawn along the unbroken length to experience the storied experience of bright colors and flower shapes.  There is also some Emphasis and Balance seen with the contrasting textured finishes on the lip and over the majority of the base of the vase.

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The evolution of this vase was largely in the design of the decoration as I was pretty sure how I wanted the form to look.  Once I finalized the engraving, I was given a great suggestion by Mr. Manders to think about using glaze on both the inside and outside of the vase giving it a glossy finish all the way around.  I was about to go forward with this advice but at the last minute thought that using the glaze on the inside and fluted lip while keeping a matte finish on the outside would give a great contrast in textured look and feel.  I loved the idea of a fully glazed vase but am very happy with the multiple textures the finished piece shows.

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The process was as follows:

  - Wedge one baseball sized ball of stoneware clay
  - Throw 1 cylinder on the wheel
  - Use a small sponge with a handle to widen out the base slightly
  - Make the opening smaller than the base
  - Use thumbs to form a lip at the top
  - Trim skirt clay away with a wooden rib tool
  - Smooth out the surface of the vase with a sponge
  - Use a wire cutter to remove the vase from the wooden bat
  - Let stand to dry slightly leather hard
  - Use a needle tool to engrave the flower design
  - Use a ribbon trimmer to create a foot ring
  - Let stand to dry leather hard
  - Use underglaze to give the engraving color
  - Bisque fire the vase
  - Use glaze on the inside &outer lip to create contrast of glossy glaze/matte underglaze
  - Glaze fire it for completion