Artist's Statement
I enjoy art because it gives me a chance to express myself. I like ceramics because for me, using clay is more fun than other mediums. It's hands-on and you can go anywhere with it. The best part is that you can make pieces that are actually functional. My artwork does not have a distinct theme throughout, but I do have a style. I always make sure that my pieces are smooth before I finish. It makes a nicer surface to look at when finished. I also like my pieces to be colorful.
When I'm working with the clay, I always envision what the final piece is going to look like. I'm reminded that mistakes can happen very easily if I'm not careful. Beginning a piece by envisioning the final outcome, helps a lot because it makes me pay extra attention to detail. As I'm thinking about the final piece, I make sure that I smooth out the edges and everything looks as clean as possible. When looking at my work, I feel happy, and accomplished. Especially when I know that I did the best I could and I problem solved throughout. My sketchbook also helps a lot with this. The sketches I make before starting a project do not usually end up looking like the final piece because I alter the design and form as I go, most of the time. But, having a sketchbook really helps because it keeps all of my ideas together in one place. My sketchbook is also a place where I can do free writing, and just express myself in anyway possible.
Compared to my freshman year, I think that I have progressed a lot with clay. My projects never had a clear story, or plan behind them. Now, I can see the story I was trying to tell. Most of the time it is abstract but a lot of thought goes into the pieces as they are being made. I try to make the viewer happy while looking at my pieces. I do not want them to think it is bad, I try to grab their attention. This is one of the main reasons most of my pieces have bright colors, and I make the pieces as nice as I can. Now that I have been working with clay for three years, I can really tell how much my work has changed, and become more advanced. My recent pieces look like there was a lot of effort put into them, and I payed a lot of attention to detail this past year. I also pushed myself a lot harder than I usually have, which showed in my pieces. I did a lot of things that I normally would've been afraid of doing, thinking that they would ruin my project. Also, keeping a portfolio has shown my progression throughout the years.
When I'm working with the clay, I always envision what the final piece is going to look like. I'm reminded that mistakes can happen very easily if I'm not careful. Beginning a piece by envisioning the final outcome, helps a lot because it makes me pay extra attention to detail. As I'm thinking about the final piece, I make sure that I smooth out the edges and everything looks as clean as possible. When looking at my work, I feel happy, and accomplished. Especially when I know that I did the best I could and I problem solved throughout. My sketchbook also helps a lot with this. The sketches I make before starting a project do not usually end up looking like the final piece because I alter the design and form as I go, most of the time. But, having a sketchbook really helps because it keeps all of my ideas together in one place. My sketchbook is also a place where I can do free writing, and just express myself in anyway possible.
Compared to my freshman year, I think that I have progressed a lot with clay. My projects never had a clear story, or plan behind them. Now, I can see the story I was trying to tell. Most of the time it is abstract but a lot of thought goes into the pieces as they are being made. I try to make the viewer happy while looking at my pieces. I do not want them to think it is bad, I try to grab their attention. This is one of the main reasons most of my pieces have bright colors, and I make the pieces as nice as I can. Now that I have been working with clay for three years, I can really tell how much my work has changed, and become more advanced. My recent pieces look like there was a lot of effort put into them, and I payed a lot of attention to detail this past year. I also pushed myself a lot harder than I usually have, which showed in my pieces. I did a lot of things that I normally would've been afraid of doing, thinking that they would ruin my project. Also, keeping a portfolio has shown my progression throughout the years.