Clay Kimonos are Finished
Kimono Trio – low fire white earthenware
I unloaded the work made by the kids enrolled in my clay class from my kiln yesterday and was quite pleased with their creations! Last week, I stressed that they needed to take their time decorating their work because quite frankly, sometimes they get sloppy. Like me, they much prefer making work rather than glazing, but I feel like we have to produce some keepers every now and then – I owe that to their parents.
Kimono, Brittany 4th grade
Brittany’s is one of my favorites – I think she really has a nice color compostion and I also like the way she incorporated multiple textures into her kimono.
Kimono – Lily 2nd grade
Lily’s is another favorite – as a 2nd grader, I can see she’s a natural artist! The fade from yellow to orange is fantastic…. We also played, who’s smarter than a 2nd grader last week. She amazed us all by spelling antidisestablishmentarianism. None of the other kids could match her – smart kid!
Kimono – Jasmine 5th grade
My daughter is one of those kids who sometimes rushes through the projects in order to do free clay – I reminded her last week that this is one project that I’m hanging in our gallery, so she had better do a nice job. I’m not disappointed!
Jackson Pollock inspired Kimono
Rhiannon has been in my class from the beginning and she often leads decorating/making trends for the others. I don’t mind the Jackson Pollock inspired decorating, but sometimes it gets a little over done. I think the art teacher did a unit on JP, and the kids are enthralled with spashing and dripping paint nowadays. 
Another Jackson Pollock inspired Kimono
And yet another Jackson Pollock inspired Kimono
My two third grade peas in a pod, Samantha and Laura made the two obviously related clay kimonos. Can you see the similarites in color choices and glaze application? One thing I always tell them is to cover their pieces completely with glaze or underglaze – I don’t want to see any white of the clay. They think I’m a glaze nazi…. They always tell me that my philosophy doesn’t match their artistic vision (not exactly their words…) – I think they forget that black has to come last since it’s such a powerful color.
Before today’s class, I’m going to add the wood dowels and wire – these will look super cool hanging on a wall.
Meanwhile, after shoveling 10+ inches of snow and pulling out our winter clothing last weekend here in Colorado, I’m back in flip flops and short sleeves. Spring has decided to return – yay!
Have a great week,
~Cynthia
