Ceramics Gallery
Blue Celadon Research Series (2024)
I was given the opportunity to participate in Elizabethtown College’s Summer Creative Arts and Research Program, in which I developed my own unique Blue Celadon recipes. This program introduced me to glaze development techniques, and allowed me to experiment with new skills as a ceramic artist.
Elizabethtown College’s Article
Water Lily Incense Collection
Water Lily Incense Bowls (2023)
This collection aimed to create a cohesive functional ceramics set featuring carved inlays. The biggest challenge I faced when creating these pieces was timing the drying of the pieces with each step of the design process- if the clay was too wet, the details would become muddled and unclear, if the clay was too dry, it would be too rigid to cleanly carve into the pieces.
Water Lily Incense Holders (2023)
My goal was to create pieces evocative of the look of lilies along the surface of the water, loosely inspired by Claude Monet’s work. The pieces are wheel thrown, with hand carved inlays. The Celadon glaze lends itself beautifully to the carvings- bringing out all the smallest details, and creating a beautiful green-blue ceramic crazing along the edges.
I gained experience in combining wheel throwing with hand carving, and experimenting with both additive and subtractive methods.
Tulip Tea Collection (2023)
This collection challenged me to create a series of pieces while experimenting with the interaction between underglazes and high fire glazes.
Tulip Mug
I faced difficulties in my process with the underglazes running when covered in high fire glazes, which made the details harder to make out in my designs. I began firing my underglaze prior to glazing, applying thinner layers of glaze, and using a lower temperature electric kiln rather than a gas kiln.
Tulip Teapot
This was my first time creating a teapot, and learning how each of the components came together was an informative learning process. Throwing the body of the pot and the spout separately, I had to learn through trial and error how to create a functional teapot which pours accurately and smoothly.
My earlier attempts in the bowls and mugs have a glossy surface, but my last attempt in the teapot has a more matte finish, and a more defined design.
Tulip Bowl Set
The biggest challenge when creating a functional dish set, is to create a look of uniformity. Each piece must be measured when thrown, and have a consistent curve along the wall.
My goal for these bowls was to create very lightweight, but sturdy functional pieces. I had to focus on keeping the walls as thin as possible, without loosing their structural integrity.