STAGE 4 SEMESTER 2 (S2)

The colours you use and the marks you make help define the essense of the piece you are making. subtle marks, bold colours. purposeful marks and no colour.

These are some of my first explorative tests for what I want my final pieces to look like.

I also did a fair amount of glaze research. Further on I decide to buy premixed glazes for both ease and consistancy.

Marks and Colours

SLIP AND SLIDE

Slip is a godsend when it comes to creativity. I can make multiples of items and experiment with them in different ways.

To create the peeled ball effect-

First time I did it I put down a layer of non- diluted slip and then watered it down to about 70 slip/30 water and did a couple more layers. I let it dry before adding a final layer before the clay.

I then proceeded to press in recycled buff clay and let it dry for around 30 minutes.

I then carefully peeled it out, and where I had pressed harder seemed to stick more to the ball before peeling away.

Second time, I did not dilute the slip- I did a few layers and then I scored and slipped the clay before I put it on. This meant the slip stuck more to the clay. This meant it did not peel away like it was crumbling. I had some areas which I hadn’t slipped which fell away but no where near the same amount.

I will try again, following the same method to see if it works and this could be a new way for me to work.

EDIT- I did try again, using porceline this time. method still needs some work, but produced a really cool effect.

salt wood firing

I managed to sneak some of my working into the ceramics salt wood firing which the Masters and GIRs . I am so thankful that I was able to do this, however I am anoyed I did not get more in or make the day of the actual firing.

The texture, dimpling, and the colours which came from the ash and salt created this old worn leather look which is reminiscent of classsic traditional balls.

Size matters?

I had a lot to think about in terms of size. I could have made everything your standard rugby ball size however I wanted the pieces to feel more.... personal and intimate. I feel this has been achieved through making small pieces which allow the views to see smaller glimpses of the spirit.

so the student becomes the.... technician

Since ceramics has become my main specialty I have learned a few things around the workshop. As part of the practice I had to learn how to stack kilns, and how to programme them. This here is Bruce, the main test kiln I used.

For bisque I used programme 1 and for glaze or Cone 6 I used programme 2. Kevin usually stays close by as I am always asking questions.

quick pitstop back at painting

Took a small detour back to some of my MDF paintings to reset my brain after a heavy chunk of 3D work. I looked back to colours, the rugby ball of course being the main focus. I decided non of that mattered. I wanted to work on the shape of it instead. I took myself down to east workshop and got to work.

while we are here...

I also did a small edit on this painting I did of Lumsden (one of the Valks).

I also considered how it would be mounted.

ALLOWAY

aka- Dundee Rugby Club, aka- Morgan Rugby Club.

The pitch here is full of marks, which all tell a story, a history of the game.

PLASTER CASTING GRASS

I took plaster casts (well, I started to- the scottish weather had other plans). So I got these three done of the side line where we stand and watch and wait as a medic.

further plaster work

I did a suprising amount of work with plaster, including casts, hand-builds, and casting the inside of objects to make the pieces.

PRE DEGREE SHOW

The plaster cast of the inside of the ball is what I desided to showcase for the pre degree show.

The idea that you can see inside the ball, this object which is usually covered in mud, sweat, and blood. For it to be pristine white, to be unmarked by the pitch is something of an unusual sight.

tests before the rest

I thought I would have a go at immitating @ArtButMakeItSport with one of the Valks photos. I think I did a pretty good job of finding a similar painting. I also want to justifty the classificatin of my exploded rugby ball being 2D as that is how it is being displayed.

I also have a few 3D test pieces which probably wont make the cut for the degree show but I feel are important. One of the sponsors for Scottish Rugby is Tennents so I felt it was only right to make a ball out of T cans. I have also made a half ball out of tape which I feel is appropriate with how much I use it.

Frankie Jay Art