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
cindy shake
April 21, 2009 at 8:11 am //
These are just lovely! I really enjoy the freshness of kid’s artwork. Thanks for sharing.
*We’re still under tons of snow down in Girdwood… Anchorage is finally melting -though no flip flops yet for me, but I’ve advanced from the NorthFace boots to my favorite pair of rubber ExtraTuff shorties!
Cynthia
April 21, 2009 at 9:00 am //
I imagine Alaska would thaw out later than Denver – though the high country is probably closer weather wise to AK – amazing what elevation can do
Jerry
April 21, 2009 at 8:40 am //
Those came out so nicely. I love the odd cuff on Brittany’s. The first JP kimono is quite nice as well. We were able to whip out the shorts & sandals this past weekend…and this upcoming weekend is supposed to be in the mid 80′s! A brief visit from summer and wouldn’t you know it, right during our woodfiring!
Cynthia
April 21, 2009 at 9:01 am //
Sounds like you’ll have perfect weather for your firing!
jim
April 21, 2009 at 8:59 am //
wow! they all look so great, it’s a good project for kids… i have to say the first jackson pollack one is my fave. i can imagine the fun they have flicking that glaze around the room though
Cynthia
April 21, 2009 at 9:03 am //
They get a bit crazy with the flicking and dripping
But, sometimes it does get out of control – especially when wayward flicks of glaze get on someone else’s creation.
Meredith
April 21, 2009 at 9:01 am //
Oh my! They are just wonderful- I love them.
Big smile here- I do love the work the kids are doing.
Love the spring weather too!
Cynthia
April 21, 2009 at 9:03 am //
Yay for spring! I think last weekend was winter’s last gasp…fingers crossed.
Mary T.
April 21, 2009 at 9:13 am //
I really love that you let the kids be who they are with a little corerison and they get to express themselves. I think glazing is difficult because it come out different than you have in your minds eye! And it takes forever!!!!!
Cynthia
April 22, 2009 at 6:14 am //
I really try, Mary.
I really cringe when kids are told to color things a certain way or to stay in the lines by various teachers, but I catch myself doing similar things occasionally. The truth is that I know when they’re doing a good job and when they’re slacking and that’s really when I try to impress them to step it up.
Undaunted
April 21, 2009 at 9:17 am //
Wow, the kids in your class are so talented! (And I must say, seem to have mastered glazing, which I have not!) It’s really difficult to pick a favourite.
Our temperatures have been in the 80′s, which is nice, but I’m jealous of your snow!
Cynthia
April 22, 2009 at 6:08 am //
Thanks Linda – seems we’ve gone straight from winter to summer now expecting temps in the 70-80′s. Weird.
Janet
April 21, 2009 at 9:42 am //
Kimonos are turning out really cute. Bummer on the snow.
Cynthia
April 22, 2009 at 6:09 am //
The kimonos turned out great! Parents were even impressed when they picked their kids up yesterday. whew…
Linda Starr
April 21, 2009 at 1:37 pm //
They are all so cute and creative; I too love the first Jackson Pollack inspired one the best; I might have to try a bit of glaze spattering myself. We have had three days in mid 90s and I am sweltering; before that we were in the upper 70′s and it was perfect, hope your Spring weather holds.
Cynthia
April 22, 2009 at 6:10 am //
So far so good on the weather, Linda, but we’re expecting another front on Saturday – go figure – always the weekend. My daughter’s soccer season is the one that got away, more games have been canceled than played this year.
Cindy Buehler
April 21, 2009 at 8:38 pm //
Great project idea and the results are fabulous. Lucky you, to have such a great art piece on your wall.
Cynthia
April 22, 2009 at 6:11 am //
Thanks Cindy – I hate to say it, but not all their projects are keepers – but these are!
LB
April 21, 2009 at 9:45 pm //
OMG, those are so cute!
Cynthia
April 22, 2009 at 6:11 am //
Jean Levert Hood
April 22, 2009 at 7:48 am //
I love them, Cynthia!! It does look like they headed your advice to take more time with this stage of the process.
Cynthia
April 24, 2009 at 5:53 am //
They grumbled a bit, but everyone loved their finished kimonos and the parents were impressed to boot!
Eva
April 22, 2009 at 12:19 pm //
It’s not only the talent of the kids, it’s also the way you make them reveal their talent! Well done, all of you! These little works of art are really amazing.
Cynthia
April 24, 2009 at 5:52 am //
What a sweet statement – it’s also the way you make them reveal their talent – I really hope that’s true!