Kluender- Art 7/8 A4 block

A4 block is finishing up adding glaze to their ceramic pieces! They will look very different after being fired in the kiln. Glaze is a type of ceramic "paint" that adds color to a ceramic piece.

Kluender- A3 Ceramics

A3 block is working on finishing up their ceramic selfies!

Look at all that texture!

Kluender- Art 7/8 B2

Art 7/8 B2 block took a break from their self-portraits to begin glazing their ceramic pieces. 

I fired the kiln to about 1800 degrees to chemically change the clay to a ceramic piece. This stage of clay is called BISQUEWARE. Then, we were ready to add color! 

First, we added a black underglaze wash to the piece and used a sponge to remove the excess glaze from the surface, leaving the black in the cracks. This really brought out all of our texture and accentuated those lines.

Next block, we will begin to layer colored underglazes on top. We will finish it off with a coat of clear glaze to make it shine.

Don't worry if you have a broken piece....some pieces can be fused back on with glaze....and others can be glued on after the firing is complete.

Some students included hangers, while others opted to use plate hangers to display their pieces.

Kluender- Art 7/8- B2 block

My B2 class has started their ceramics project. We are building a tile using a slab of clay and additive and subtractive techniques.

Kluender/ Art 78

Eek! :D I am so excited to open the kiln each morning to find these beauties waiting for me! Art 78 has been working hard on their ceramic tiles and they look great.

Kluender, Art 8

More examples of these lovely pieces!

Kluender/ Art 8

I wanted to share some of our FANTASTIC Art 8 portrait busts! The kids did such a great job on constructing their "beings" out of clay! 

Some depict people (real or made up), some are of animals, we even have a few zombies, aliens, and other horned creatures!

After building the ceramic pieces, we painted them with a watered down black acrylic wash. Then, we added color using acrylic paint and a dry-brush technique to pick up all of the texture of the pieces.

Some added fabric, beads, wire and other accessories to the finished pieces.

Students were then asked to write a narrative to accompany the portrait bust. This could be written in the 1st or 3rd person perspective, but had to be at least 10 sentences. 

These wonderful pieces will be on display in the SJMS library at our Art 8 "Senior" Show along with the narratives. The reception for this show will be held Thursday, June 9 from 5-7pm and the work will remain on display through 8th Grade Day Friday June 10.

Kluender/ Art 78

Art 78 has begun adding color to their ceramic tiles! First, we put on a coat of watered down black underglaze. Then, we used sponges to remove the black, leaving it only in the cracks and crevices. 

Next block, students will decide whether they want to leave their tile black and white and just add a clear glaze over it to make it shine OR to add color using colored glazes. 

Stay tuned for more pictures of progress....

Kluender/ Art 8

Art 8 spent the day in the computer lab creating narratives for their ceramic portrait busts. I cant wait to read them!

Kluender/ Art 78

Art 78 students have begun working on a CERAMIC  project. We used our celebrity photos to etch into a clay SLAB.

Then, students are adding additional 3D elements in clay.

After being BISQUE FIRED, we will add color using glazing techniques.