Wednesday, April 27 2022

4/27/2022

A Scaly Rhino Body

Bea and Luke start to add scales to the body of the clay guardian

We began our work on the clay guardian by solidifying a body for the creature. We had previously decided that the body was the shape of a rectangle but because of it's size, it needed to be hollow. In the Atelier, Luke and Bea used clay slabs and an armature to create a body that they thought accurately represents the guardian.

Luke: Bea, do you want to work together!
Bea: We wrap clay around (the tube). Then it can be hollow. There's air in the body and it can dry out.
Luke: We need to flatten (the clay) down first.

"It can be scaly like a snake." - Bea

As Luke and Bea built the body, they agreed that the body should have scales. After thinking about the different strategies they could use to create a scaly texture, they decided on making the scales with flat clay. After they made the scales, they scored the scales and added slip so the pieces would attach easily onto the body.

Luke: The slip makes them stick.
Luke and Bea add several scales to the body
Luke: We are making the best. It is looking really good.

Bea explains the process of adding scales in the afternoon:

Capers uses a toy turtle to figure out the size of shape of reptile scales

Jade uses a new technique to create one of the heads for the guardian

Lily uses score and slip new scales

Perfecting the Head

Bea attaches the "bigger" rhino horn

Clay as a Gift

Several of the children who were not working on the guardian used clay to make gifts. KW decided to create a clay serving bowl for someone who will be moving off of the School Board next year.

Remy - We’re making a bowl for someone we don’t know. She’s a nice lady, so we’re making her a gift.

After that children could work with clay as they wished.
Jade - I’m making a snake. I’m making a cobra.
Remy - I’m making piggy.
Frannie - I don’t know what I’m making. It’s a secret.
Jade - Are you making a puppy, Lucas?
Lucas - No, I’m making something that’s not real. I’m not making a monster, because monsters are real.
There’s some debate among the children about whether or not monsters are real.
Remy - After this, I’m making a mermaid.
Lucas - I’m done! It’s a little toy for puppy. It’s a bobsled for puppy.
Frannie - I’m making a cake.

Rolling Out the Clay

Our Work in Progress on Tuesday:

Lucas' bobsled

Remy's Mermaid

Frannie's cake

On Wednesday, Lucas and Remy glazed the pieces that they had made yesterday. Jade and Wilder chose to start new pieces. As has been demonstrated with the clay guardian, forming a 3D clay structure can be tricky. Wilder first made a flat Archelon, but it became evident that it would not hold together and may be too long to fit in the kiln. Eventually, he made a volcano. Jade liked the idea and made one for herself.