RAINSTICKS
CERAMICS II
clay, sawdust fire, acrylic paint, nail polish & metallic rubbing compounds
with added embellishments
The Ceramics I students are in awe of this assignment,
and know if they sign up for a second year,
they will most likely have to make a Rainstick.
It's a fairly difficult slab assignment because it's on a large scale,
and when it's said and done is required to make a lovely musical sound from within,
just like raindrops tinkling.
We start with Chloe Chang's elegant octopus.
Loving how she placed it's tentacles,
as if it had its hands are on it's hip for a bit of attitude.
She used the metallic rubs for a bit of color,
then balanced that with the same color neckpiece.
Next let me introduce wild and crazy junior Eugene Ho.
He bravely came back for a second year in Ceramics II after having taken it last in the 8th grade.
I never knew what Eugene had up his sleeve this year,
but it was always surprisingly out there!
We all loved his Rainstick.
So animated and full of life.
He's got this crazy surfing penguin with the wild hair
with fish swimming around the base.
Brilliant Eugene.
He chose to Sawdust Fire the piece then decorated it with nail polish for intense color.
Like I said,
he's a very brave soul!
I believe I gave the kids the choice between Sawdust or Glaze Firing.
This year they all chose the Sawdust.
It'a a primitive firing technique used all over the world.
Done easily with an old oil drum, newspapers and sawdust.
This piece here is the work of junior Julia Ruiz.
Julia,
like Chloe and Eugene,
had Ceramics I in the eighth grade.
All were anxious that they had forgotten all their skills and techniques they'd learned.
But here we have another global skill like I talk about all the time.
Once you learn to work with clay ,
you never lose it.
Julia sculpted this adorable Koala on top of a piece of bamboo for her design,
and after Sawdusting,
painted with acrylics & embellished.
This last one was made by senior superstar Sarah Oh.
At first when you view it
you have no idea it's a Rainstick until you pick it up and turn it upside down.
Sarah is known for her images of animals, fish and birds.
Here she incorporated a couple to design her piece with.
A close up to see both birds & details in the clay.
Everyone agreed that this piece was very like-like,
and belonged in a gallery.
It was one of last school years highlights at Open House.
We all cannot wait to see what Sarah will produce in Art School in Pasadena.
She will be attending Art Center of Design in the Fall.
Our hearts are with you Sarah.
