Class Rhythm during the Semester

The flow of the ceramics class centers around the bisque and glaze firings. You create a pot, bisque fire it, apply the glaze, then fire again. This sets the rhythm of the class.

Next semester, I'm going to adjust my learning strategy somewhat. This new strategy consists of four parts: Vision, Experimentation, Refinement and the Final Product.

• Vision is my goal for the pot, what I want the pot to look like when I'm done. My vision usually comes from inspiration, either from a pot I seen in a book, an idea I have or from nature. The Vision could be for one pot or sculpture or a series of pieces consisting of a single theme.
• Experimentation is when I try a few techniques to produce the form I want. I might try slip casting, latex/plaster molds, paddling or the many other technique to get what I want. My craftsmanship is usually sloppy the first time I try a new technique, but in time gets better. The Experimentation phase also includes glaze experiments. The Experimentation phase is over with the first glaze firing.
• Refinement is picking out the successful experiments and refining them. I'll take what worked in the experimentation phase and refine the technique to produce something of higher quality. The Experimentation phase is over with the second glaze firing.
• The Final Product is the result of the process of refinement. By now, I should have a fairly good form and the right glaze. This phase is over by the third, and last, firing, which coincides with the end of the semester.

This isn't a strict process, and it wouldn't be unusual for the clay and glaze processes to proceed at separate rates. I could find the form I want in the experimentation phase, but not the glaze. I would put aside the form, but continue experimentation with the glaze. Once I get the right glaze, I would go back to the form and apply the glaze, ending up with a final product.

Notice that there are three hard stops in this strategy: the three glaze firings. I can't control the timing of the glaze firings, and have to abide by the schedule. The glaze firings is what sets the continue of the course.

I might cycle through the steps of my strategy quickly, perhaps getting a final product within one glaze firing. This will come with experience, when I have a glaze that I know would work for the results I want.

The one problem I see with this strategy is I might not get a solid foundation of techniques because I'm always focused on realizing my vision. I'll always learn something, but I'll just have to be careful not to pigeonhole myself into a specific technique. At this stage, I'm not concerned with developing a consistent body of work, just learning how to go about making ceramics.

My process requires learning new skills, and I have to remember to work closely with the instructor or advanced students to help me out. The instructor and other students are great resources, and I shouldn't try to act alone when working with new techniques and styles. At the same time, I need to give back to class and not be selfish with my knowledge - which isn't a problem since I always like talking about art anyway.