HERITAGE SERIES
Project Goal
Create three “crock” related forms that resemble the historic look while incorporating my designs/elements.
Calendar
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September 16 Wet Critique
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October 14 Glazed Critique
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December 14 Final Evaluation and Report
Evaluation Criteria
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Concept: Honoring the American Farmer
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Craftsmanship
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Form: Historic “crock” forms. Handle detail with stamped “business logo/name”
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Surface: stained/rough, sturdy, slip trailed logo/design
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Creativity: Creating the connection between honoring the American Farmer and historical and functional pottery forms
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Presentation: Installation with goods/seeds inside
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INSPIRATION
Early American Pottery was the major theme I chose for Personal Series 1. I felt that this connected with me and I enjoy the forms that were created during this time period. Many homes in the 1800's were family farms and most of these farms contains multiple crocks of all shapes and sizes to store a variety of goods and liquids. I wanted to recreate some of these forms with a little twist and add my own family farm logo or decoration.
Below is my Early American Pottery slideshow I used for my presentation.
PROCESS
CROCK
This vessel was one of my favorites, but hardest to throw. For some reason I decided to start with the biggest/heaviest piece and used almost half a bag of clay and boy was it a struggle. I chose this form because it had the biggest surface for me to explore. I loved the little handles along each side that brought just a little bit of extra detail.
The form turned out as planned, but I was unable to use the underglaze transfer method due to the clay moisture level being too dry. In place of the transfer, I decided to freehand draw wheat with a black underglaze fine-liner.
Unfortunately in the first firing, the moisture content was too great and it resulted in a bottomless vessel.
I did a little research, I was confused on why I had a piece explode. I did everything as I normally would and had only changed the clay body. I came to the conclusion that stoneware withholds moisture longer than porcelain, resulting in a longer drying time and/or candling session.
FINAL PIECE
The final crock turned out PERFECT! After the piece was destroyed during the firing I felt obligated to recreate this piece, and boy am I glad I did! I ended up free-handing the "Wiens Farms" on the corn cob sketch that I transferred from my sketchbook. The overall size of this piece is smaller than the original, but the handles and overall design are very similar. I am very happy with the clear glaze I chose for the final outcome, which was different from the cream celadon I used for Vessel 4. The celadon ended up hiding the image a little more than what I wanted. I am also extremely happy with the change in clay-body I used. I ended up replacing the Peppered Wheat that I originally used with a buff stoneware. I almost felt that the speckles in the Peppered Wheat was too much and took away from the underglaze transfer design I added. Overall, I LOVE this piece and am excited to try creating more pieces like this but try an alternative firing process, like salt firing to fully get the effects of a true antique crock.
PITCHER
This piece was created to resemble more of an antique pitcher. I have never thrown an altered form into a pitcher before an actually really enjoyed this process! I will definitely be adding more to my future pieces while investigating and adding different handles and forms. I ended up throwing two pieces and combining them into one. I also ended up using a slab as a handle instead of pulling it, which I will be adjusting for any future pieces that contain large handles. I also feel that I wanted to create the piece to be more balanced instead of so bottom heavy, however I am not loving the results and will end up playing around with those adjustments.
FINAL PIECE
The final piece turned out great! There are a few alterations I would make if I were to recreate this piece. I wish the underglaze transfer and words were more visible on the front of the piece. The handle also needed to be a bit thicker and instead of using a slab I would pull it next time. the neck and opening are a little lopsided compared to the body, so I would either enlarge the bottom or shrink the top. However, I was very please with the seam and connection between the two pieces since this was a sectional piece.
JUG
This vessel was altered from my original inspiration. I also adjusted the handles to a more modern style and removed the small neck. However the overall handles and form is what stood out to me, along with the colors and the distressed look of the finished glazed piece.
FINAL PIECE
My finished outcome was definitely a learning curve. I chose to use the adjusted celadon glaze that I mixed up for this piece, hoping that it would reveal an almost salt-fired look while still having more transparent qualities and allow my underglaze transfer to show through. I do not have much experience with "pouring", and this piece sure shows it. I am limited on my spraying resources and thought I would give "pouring" a try. The right half of the piece turned out really well and I was surprisingly happy with the color and outcome. However, the left side where I had to re-pour due to the bottom not getting covered was WAY to thick and as you can see above, the second layer almost melted and bubbled off of the first layer. I did not have any running or a problem with it sticking to the shelf, the glaze was just applied too thick.
VASE
This piece was also one of the unlucky ones that did not survive the bisque firing. I however enjoyed this piece so much that I just ended up recreating it exactly. I posted an instagram reel attaching my handles and had a ton of positive reviews!
I decided to replicate the form that resembled a storage jar made by the potter Daniel Seagel in the early 1800's. I was especially drawn towards the handles and the detailed stamped letters on the top. I loved the way the glaze and color was caught within the low areas to create a contrast against the higher parts. I was hoping to recreate the drips with a fake ash glaze of some sort.
FINAL PIECE
I learned SO MUCH with this piece. I am very connected to the form and handles I put on this. I recreated this piece after it did not make it through the first firing. This was created and also recreated with peppered wheat, and shipped to Fort Hays to be included into the soda firing. I made the discovery that this clay was not supposed to fire any higher than cone 6. I contacted the place where they make and ship the clay to confirm this and to see what might happen if I were to fire it any higher. The clay is a fairly new mix and has only been fired to a warm cone 6, and they highly advised me to take extreme caution if I chose to continue firing this in a cone 10 setting. When seeing this piece for the first time I couldn't believe my eyes! I was beyond excited that the clay held up and turned out beautifully!! I decided to leave it bare with no glaze to just get the atmospheric affects and with the iron within my clay, it turned a beautiful red/rust color which I was not expecting! I love the speckles and couldn't be happier with the final result!