ARTIST STATEMENT
This pinch pot unit was the first time I had experimented with earthenware clay to a significant extent. I had used stoneware clay before in a summer camp back when I was in elementary school, and I had painted bowls with underglaze for charity for Thailand last year, but those were basically my only encounters with pottery clay. This past unit was the first time I actually learned the techniques and materials needed to make a successful pot, like wedging, scoring, or slip. This was also the first time I got to try out the many different types of glazes from regular low-fire glaze to the various underglazes.
During the unit, I created simple pinch pots in a standard bowl form and little pitcher shape but I also explored the idea of creating a series inspired by things that live in the ocean. As I moved on to bigger pots and more advanced skills, although most of my pots turned out as expected, one of my pots came out of the kiln severely cracked. However, after glazing the pot, I felt it made the pot more interesting, especially since the glaze color came out really good around the cracks. From this I learned that you might never know what your pot might turn out like until you finish glazing everything, and that the glaze color and effect could really change the outcome of the final piece.
During the unit, I created simple pinch pots in a standard bowl form and little pitcher shape but I also explored the idea of creating a series inspired by things that live in the ocean. As I moved on to bigger pots and more advanced skills, although most of my pots turned out as expected, one of my pots came out of the kiln severely cracked. However, after glazing the pot, I felt it made the pot more interesting, especially since the glaze color came out really good around the cracks. From this I learned that you might never know what your pot might turn out like until you finish glazing everything, and that the glaze color and effect could really change the outcome of the final piece.