This week I finally experienced lil eddie ! Molly and I fired the gas kiln, with her leading the project. I made 13 slip cast pieces and used the 13 cone 10 studio glazes, 11 of which survived with the other two cracking (RIP jeff's long beach blue and missouri straw yellow.) The universe is incredible because I only needed 11 objects, I created these for Stashia's thesis show (no idea lol.) But anyway, I am very happy with the results, makes me consider firing high more often when the piece calls for it. All the glazes turned out PERFECT I was worried because I did one three second dip instead of two one second dips. Thank god for Molly's willingness to let me help out and ask questions constantly !

Meanwhile, I have been a busy bee on the wheel ! I was very happy with the previous projects starting on the wheel so I have continued to use it as a tool for my finished forms. I have been throwing and then at the last minute purposefully fucking them up, squishing them down, cutting them sideways off the wheel, etc. I let them sit in the wet box a couple of days and then take all the parts out and start to put them together. I really like the organic nature of this making process, it allows me to flow freely and not overthink what I am doing. I just trust in the process. I LOVE this pair, especially the the taller form with the negative space in the center, I want to explore that shape again with the next pair that I create. I still want these pieces to grow much larger, but I am slowly working my way up in size. I plan on sculpting some handcuffs to attach these two, just need to decide which side of the three-pronged organism I want to be the "front" before I attach them to the negative space cutie. I am worried that I've abandoned the body with these guys, but they feel like moving creatures to me, maybe not human anymore but what does it even mean to be human anyway ?

Time moves so quickly when you focus on making art and not editing your applications. 
My final grad school applications are due on the 1st... I have hope in the universe. 

This week I finally finished my titty planter. I covered the piece in resin, then added nipples using nail polish, then added a second layer of resin over top to smooth it all out. 

I made the nipples a bit too small lol, I think because the nail polish was so thick, I didn't use it in a painterly way. Next time I want to do the nipples in pencil when its greenware, and then add them in underglaze then go over it with nail polish. I was not happy with how it turned out, so I immediately made another one ! I learned from the first version that I need to make the piece a bit thicker so the individual titties stand up when I form the planter.

I am almost finished with my second try with this new planter. I made the planter thicker when I used the molds, placed them out before I poured the slip base, and made sure to put supports under the titties when I was combining the pieces. I think I want to do these all underglaze, but add resin to finish it. I learned that colored resin does not work very well when you are using such thin layers. 

Meanwhile, my other chained piece is sitting in the kiln room slowly drying. I have also started to throw some more pieces to make a new version of that piece, bigger for sure. Is bigger always better? I feel like if I'm trying to create a sense of body and human my pieces need to take up more space. But after chatting with a mentor yesterday, I worry that I am not making it weird enough. I am thinking of nipples and belly buttons, lips and genitals. More spit, more drip, more mysterious fluids to make the piece interesting. I also need to make some test tiles and see that temp I want to fire my earthenware to I am thinking tests 2-6, so 5 tests to see what the color of the clay becomes.

Graduate school applications have fast approached, with some passing. My first application was due on the 15th, which I completed. The next is due tomorrow, which I am ready to submit. The final two are due on the 1st of February. This has been a whirlwind of stress and emotions, but I ultimately feel ready to take my education to the next level and can only hope the graduate selection committees agree with me. Fingers crossed that the cold calls and interviews happen soon.

Well even with all this insanity going on, I have been making. 

I made this fun little planter using a boob cup mold that I found last semester, which I removed the handle and turned into a planter pot. Using only the front half I made 6 and then created this big planter. I covered in in resin and it honestly turned out a perfect nude color. Need to add nipples and do another layer of resin because some spots are missing.

I also made some more creatures. Despite everyones best efforts, I sat back down and threw some weirdos on the wheel again.

I was inspired by the last collection of pieces, but I am going larger and trying to make them little bodies with legs. These are still in progress, but I have an idea of where they are going, they are definitely a pair (are they together or exes?) only time will tell. Knowing me, it will be a projection of my own emotions.