MINITURES

CLAY & FIBER VESSELS

INTERMEDIATE 3-D ART

clay, natural & manmade fibers, wood, wire, & sawdust firing

Last years senior,

 Rachel Kannampuzha,

outdid herself with these two exquisite vase forms. 

I so wish I had photographed them next to something like a coffee mug,

so you could appreciate how tiny and delicate they were.

The first one is probably only 3 1/2 " inches high by 3" wide at its top rim.

The second one is even more petite,

about 3" by 2".  

I couldn't figure out which one I loved more.

Her craftsmanship in both was impeccable,

and I felt they belonged in a gallery setting.

Her requirements were to build a small pinch pot out of clay,

and to pierce holes for attaching fiber, wood spokes, twigs or wire at a later date

for a mixed media work.

I directed Rachel to my Pinterest board on Ceramics 

where I've saved many examples of this construction technique.

Before she began she made several sketches of her design ideas 

so she would know where to pierce her holes.

Next we sawdust fired both and then she went to town embellishing them.

In this sweet one above she used many different materials to decorate with;

waxed linen, wood spokes, thin leather cording, and pine needle weavers.

Brilliant Rachel!!

When she turned these two pieces in to be graded,

I made such a fuss over how lovely they were,

that on her last day of her senior year,

she walked into my classroom and gifted me with the piece above.

I almost fell over!

 I was so thrilled to be given such an incredible work of love and beauty.

Thank you Rachel,

it is on permanent display in my studio home on the fireplace mantel where

I can see it everyday and remember you,

and the beauty and innate talent you brought into my classroom.

I miss you and look forward to catching up one of these days.