STUDIO ARTS 3D 12 – Sculpture

Week #, Date. Title (projects worked on) 

  1. Brief Overview of what you did this week, including photo documentation of the process (minimum of three photos).  
  2. Your biggest struggle of the week.  
  3. Your biggest success of the week.  
  4. Goal for next week.

Week #1, September 7th 23′

3D Art Edublog

  • 1. This week I made my 3D Art Edublog
  • 2. My biggest struggle of the week was getting back to school, as it was completely different from my summer brain and schedule.
  • 3. This week, I’m proud that I helped some people out and reconnected with friends and peers.
  • 4. My goal for next week is to complete the Elements and Principles of Art assignment.

Here are some pieces of art online as well as in 0ur own classroom that I found inspiring:

Shadows in the Snow, John Connoly
CUBICLE REFUGEE, Filip Peraić

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week #2, Wednesday, September 14th 23′- Elements and Principles of Art

  1. This week I made my elements and principles of Art table, made out of cut-out magazines. I also worked on the wheel a little bit. 
  2. My biggest  challenge was charging my computer and having the patience to make the Elements and Principles of the Art table
  3. I’m proud and happy that I went on the wheel!
  4. My goals for next week are to plan and start my piñata and work on the armature.
Week #2, Friday, September 16th-  Life on Land Research
For this project, I’ve decided on the Townsend’s Mole as the animal I want to replicate, mostly because I find them quite cute. Here are some pictures of this wonderous animal:

 

Townsend's mole (Scapanus townsendii): recovery strategy 2016 - Canada.ca

Townsend's Mole – Northwest Wildlife Preservation Society

Scapanus Townsendii" Images – Browse 11 Stock Photos, Vectors, and Video | Adobe Stock

 

The threats to this animal- This large kind of mole is endangered because of its proneness to get involved with man-made threats such as cattle, who can quite literally run over the younglings. They are also prone to being hunted by any predators of rodents, such as eagles, coyotes, and snakes. Most of all, “Intensive agricultural practices and increased
urbanization have greatly reduced the Townsend’s mole habitat”, meaning farmers and humans in general don’t want moles messing up their preppy grass, therefore they kill them out.
The solutions to these threats- Creating more sustainable ways to keep critters out and make farmers happy is one plausible possibility and something that the government of BC is already undertaking through translocation programs. Monitoring and keeping the young of these glorious little critters would be the key step after translocation, to help them rise in numbers once more.
TARGET 15.5
Sources:
Week #3- Thursday, September 21st- Working on Life on Land/ other  side projects on the wheel
  1. This week I printed, sketched, and started working on my Life on Land Mole. I also threw a dip plate that has yet to be bisked.
  2. My biggest struggle of the week was to keep the handles to my mugs attached (which I did not succeed in for both cups). I also had a little bit of a dilemma with my mole’s feet.  
  3. My biggest success of the week was getting my skeleton practically done, which was the goal I set for this week.
  4. My goal for next week is to add layers of paper mache to my skeleton and figure out how I will make the material look realistic to the animal.
Week #4- Thursday, September 28th- Working on Life on Land/ my ramen bowls
1. This week I covered my mole about 3 layers of paper mache. I also worked on my bisked bowls and added underglaze jellyfish, fish, and an octopus! I also threw a bunch of pieces on the wheel, yet I had scrapped most of them by the next day.
Here is an update on the ramen bowl and the underglazing. I am going for an underwater sea vibe.
2. My biggest struggle of the week is to keep up with my Life On Land project, as I was sick for two days and had no energy.
3. My biggest success this week was under-glazing almost the entirety of the ramen bowls. I’m really happy with how they’re turning out!

4. My goal for next week is to fill up my Life On Land, and to start the texture of the body.

Inquiry Project PROPOSAL
I love getting creative with my projects, and I’m so excited for this.
Inquiry Project #1- The Chessboard Series

What would you like to investigate/make as a term-long project?

For this first project, I would like to create six different figurines of myself, everyone accounting for one of its pieces in a game of chess. I want to make these as realistic as possible, and for them to be alternated as fitted to their specific piece. For example, the 1st figurine would be the queen, hence it will have a crown and maybe other things to symbolize that. I want them to be around 6 inches in height.

What do you need to get started?
I need clay, a sketchbook ( which I have), and some good tea. In my research, I have liked the look of clay the most out of other materials such as paper mache or mixed media. Clay has a clean look, wether bisked or not (I’m still not sure of what I will choose in terms of firing or not).
How will you begin the project?
~What challenges might you face in completing your goal? Any ideas on how you might solve them, or resources you could use to help yourself?
I need to begin sketching the ideas for these caricatures, for I have to have a basis of research as well as chess (which I am not too familiar with). I will surely have difficulty sculpting these by hand, for I am not experienced in that area of clay. Fortunately for me though, there are infinite sources online on sculpting and hand-building with clay. Trial and error will be my friend in this too.
Week #5- Thursday, October 5th- Working on Life on Land/ other  side projects on the wheel
1. This week I added the final strip-layers to my Life on Land project. I also finished under-glazing my two ramen bowls, threw some stuff on the wheel, and made a bunch of underglazes for the class! Making the underglazes, although tedious, was lots of fun because I got to wear a sick mask.
2. I am most proud of my trimming/legs this week! I’m really happy with the leg of a bubble mug I threw on Wednesday.
3. My biggest challenge was getting the blue fingerprints off the ramen bowls before firing- I did not succeed much.
4. My goal for next week is to use the underglazes I made!
Week #6- October 12th, 2023
1. This week’s achievements: I glazed some bowls, as well as added layers of strips of mache to my mole, and also made some glazes! I also played with some clay to prototype for my inquiry.
2. I am proud of how my bowls turned out! Even though the underglaze turned out a little blurry and patchy once glazed, I am so happy with them!
3. My biggest challenge: The glazing of my bubble mug- went completely wonky and I had to sand both the mug and the kiln due to too much glaze.
4. My goal for next week is to add more layers of newspaper to my mole.

Week #7- October 19th, 2023

This week’s achievements- I threw a bunch of stuff on the wheel with some clay that I am not very familiar with. I also started to add paper mache pulp to my mole! This turned out into a little crisis as my mole collapsed on Tuesday. I didn’t realize this but in hindsight, the feet and legs of the mole did this because I hadn’t added strips of paper mache before the pulp. I fixed this by completely rebuilding the feet and leg structure and finally adding strips before the actual pulp.
What I am proud of how well the things I threw with the new clay turned out! I threw two big mugs!!! I’ve never been able to throw such big ones with the handle being able to hold up their structural integrity! I scrapped both of them with my cats using the white salmon underglaze that I made.
My biggest challenge- Not only did my mole’s legs completely collapse once I added the cardboard and aluminum, but I also had a challenge using the wire to take my stuff off the wheel. I hadn’t needed to use the wire, and so once the wheels with the bat bolts had been taken, I found it quite challenging to do.

Week #8- October 26th, 2023

This week I worked on the wheel, as well as two layers of paper mache pulp to my life on Land Animal. This week, I mostly worked on developing and prototyping some candle holders for the Art and Community Club’s upcoming craft sail in December. The first three cracked by the handles and bases, and then on Wednesday I made another batch of four all of which dried up pretty well.
I am proud of the two mugs I remade after I came back to school on Monday to both of last week’s cracking and exploding in the kiln.
My biggest challenge this week has been working with the brown clay, as well as keeping motivated to do my Life on Land Animal.

 

October 29th, 2023 Complicated Bust Self Portrait (12) PURPOSE

Here is my purpose for my Sculpture 12 bust.

1. My brainstorm for emotions and their corresponding facial expressions:
a)  disassociating ( a moderate level of derealization) ~ I chose this one
Glossier — aaron kurlander – this but with a blur effect/ three different faces in one
b) feeling percieved~
Distorted Face- Maddie Kendall
Juul Kraijer “Untitled” 2004
2.  Brainstorm what gets me to feel this emotion+ the symbol
 
Whenever I’m in a place with a lot of noise, fluorescent lights, or really most overstimulating environments. I also feel this when I’m severely stressed or sleep-deprived. I think something that could symbolize this can be the contrary to stress/ this feeling- the dove. I think placing the dove on my back so that it is grasping me by the neck could represent the way that even when I am not under said stress and am supposed to feel at peace I still feel this way (there’s nothing wrong so what could possibly be making me this way?)
3. Research of the symbol- dove
4. Gathered reference images. Take photos from the front and both sides perspectives of you making your exaggerated facial expression. Also, source other photos you may need.
First, I tweaked the image in the first part by using three images to create the reference to the effect I wanted.
5. Once you have found your symbols, sketch out an idea of how you might represent these on a bust. Your drawing is meant to convey ideas, and doesn’t have to be proportionally accurate. Don’t worry about your drawing skills, this is just to help you plan and to help you explain your ideas to Mx. Vittie. Look at my example below. You should have a sketch from the front and from the side.

Week #9 November 9th, 2023 – working on a lot of stuff!

 

 

  1. This week I threw 6 plates and 5 bowls using my clay. It’s been way more challenging than I had anticipated, especially with getting the measurements to be linear.
  2. My biggest struggle this week was trimming my plates, for they all decided to fly right off the wheel.
  3. I am most proud of the first plate I made out of the six! It just turned out so perfect.

 

 

Week #10 November 16 2023 – finally painting the mole+adding details

 

  1.  This week I worked on painting the first and second layers of acrylic on my Life on Land project. I decided to make the undertones related to the shading I was to do later on with the second layer, so I used warm blacks.  I also decided that I would be making “sprout-like” poison oozing out of the mole’s uneven bumps- symbolizing the poison used to kill them.
  2. My biggest challenge this week was to get my colors the way I wanted them to be, as I hadn’t touched paint in a hot minute. It took a lot of trial and error trying to match the colors I wanted in the quantities needed.
  3. My goal for next week is to get those sprouts going and to add more layers to the details (like defining the spirals on the eyes).

Life on Land Project- PROCESS

  1. Make an ARMATURE from Cardboard and Tinfoil.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Paper Mache the armature with newspaper and mache paste (from flour and water)
3. Insert facts about what makes your creature special (write on paper and stuff inside).
4. Hot glue ribbon to the stomach area of your creature (on this you will write the threats to this creature).

 

5. Add paper clay to your creature to bulk up some of the areas that need more shape. (you may need to make this with a soaked newspaper that is blended and dried out, then add white glue and joint compound.)

6. Add texture or defined details with joint compound. If you want to sand your compound you should do this outside while wearing a mask as this is not great to breathe in.)

 

7. Paint your creature with ACRYLIC PAINT. Start with the darkest color first, and then add layers of colors working to the lightest. This will emphasize your texture.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Week #11- Thursday, November 23rd, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  1. This week I started my bust- that is, I got the armature and the first details done. I also a giant cookie jar for the school play- the biggest thing I’ve thrown on the wheel yet!
  2. My biggest challenge this week was finally getting to making my bust, for I have been doing other stuff instead of getting the courage to start something so scary. Handbuilding is a skill set of clay I never do, so I was very nervous to start it.
  3. I am most proud of the box of ceramics that I’ve graduallly accumulated for the craft sale, for I am really proud of the final pieces.

 

Week #12- Thurday November 30th, 2023– Bust+ Jar model 1.0

 

  1. This week I trimmed the jar for the play and added its handle. I also added details to my bust!
  2. My biggest struggle was again, with the bust, for I had to research and ask for a lot of help to add the facial details. I also had a hard time keeping it at the same moisture level, even when covering it overnight with moist paper towels and wrapping it.
  3. I am most proud of the jar! It’s turning out rather fine and dandy.

My goal for next week is to work on further facial details of my bust, as well as to add more fauna to the back.

Week #13- Thursday December 7th, 2023 – Working on My Bust

  1. This week I worked on more details to my bust, focusing on the ears, redoing the eyes, and adding more details to the back. I also started my Weekly Collaborative Classroom Maintenance project!   Here is how the space is looking:

Before:

 

After:

 

  1. My biggest challenge was the fact that the jar for the Play exploded in the kiln, which set me back mentally.
  2. I am most proud of the busts’ accuracy so far and how the eye in the back is turning out!
  3. My goal for next week is to add+ work on the hair.

 

 

Assignment: Watercolour Colour Wheel and Colour Grid

 

Week #14th- Thursday, December 14th, 2023– The bust+ a new all-improved jar for the play!

  1. This week I worked on the hair for my bust and also threw a second jar for the school play.
  2. My biggest challenge was to will up the courage to add the hair, and get the curls down.
  3. I am most proud of the size of the jar I threw, and how well it turned out.
  4. My goal for next week is to finish this darn bust! Getting it dry and ready for the break.

 

 

Complicated Bust Self Portrait (12) PROCESS
Here is the process of the making of my Complicated Bust with the Fauna of pigeon legs and a pigeon eye.
Week #1
Starting off strong with step 1, “Make an ARMATURE from newspaper and toilet paper roll”,  I did exactly that. Then, I layered the clay from head to shoulder, stabbing the layer vigorously with a needle, and then adding another layer. This layer consisted of the rough shape of my chin, and that of my jaw. Finally, I added the basic shape of the pigeon’s legs.

Week #2

This week I worked on the details of the piece, making out the deep creases and details that I will later smooth over. These details consisted mainly of the ears, the nose, the chin, and the lower half of the bust. It was so much fun carving out the toned bits of the shoulders!

Week #3

This week I worked on further details of the bust, going over the eyes once more, and smoothing over the facial features and structure.

 

Week #4

This week I finally took out the stenchy, soggy, and lovingly moldy bits of newspaper from my bust. It was lots of tedious work, yet it means I am now one step closer to finishing it. Onto the hair now! ~ I made out the rough coils of it, and next week I will etch and carve out texture and volume.

 

Week #5- Final touches and bisking!

 

Week #6- Bisked- Sanding and final FINAL touches

 

 

 

Life on Land PRODUCT (Pinata)

ARTIST STATEMENT:

 

 

 

 

Week #15- Thursday December 21st

  1. This week I worked a lot on the final touches of my bust, and finally, I am ready to put it in the kiln.

2. My biggest challenge this week was to work through all the holes that accumulated on the bust’s body, especially the neck, due to a lack of structure and clay.

3. I am most proud of finally getting to the final stages(hopefully the firing goes to plan)

4. My goal for the week that we come back from the break is to start my Inquiry Project!

GROUP MAINTENANCE PROJECT update :

then wiped!
cleaned it up
before:

MINI-INQUIRY- lemon juicer set as gifts!

PROPOSAL:

I am going to make a set of lemon juicers as gifts to my friend’s family. Although I’ve made a few lemon juicers in the past, I want to further this skill set- working specifically on the skillset of under-glazing!

Ideas:

 

PROCESS:

lemon juicers for my Mini Inquiry

 

 

Week #16- Thursday January 11th

firing some presents for teachers that I threw on Monday.
Finally glazing some things from before the break.
lemon juicers for my Mini Inquiry
  1.  This week I worked on my (new) inquiry and finished up my bust!
  2. My biggest challenge this week was going back to the wheel
  3. I am most proud of the fact that the bust didn’t explode in the kiln!
  4. My goal for next week is to throw that vase!

 

All made on Monday!

WEEKLY GROUP MAINTENANCE PROJECT:

before
After!
I also re-made the sign!

 END OF TERM completion of maintenance– Thursday, January 18th, 2024

Here are the final before and afters of this week’s maintenance:

 

  1. How has the maintenance of this item contributed to the classroom or environment?

I believe that through collaboratively working on this space with my peer, Miranda, we contributed to the classroom’s sense of comfort and belonging. Through maintaining this space I, as a fellow enjoyer and user of the tea and hot chocolate provided, came to appreciate when the space was clean, organized, and easy to maneuver around.

Week #17th– Thursday January 18th, 2024

  1. This week I finished my bust, glazed a bunch of ceramics I threw last week, and trimmed my two lemon juicers.
  2. My biggest challenge this week was to throw that vase! I want to do it today so that I can work on it on I-week/ when I get back to semester 2.
  3. I am most proud of my little lemon juicers, for they dried out to leather hard perfectly with no cracks or air bubbles popping (thankfully).
  4. My goal for the next few days is to throw that vase! I got pretty close last Friday, but I was not satisfied with the final product so I scrapped it.
poked a hole in the bottom to let the air trapped in the cone out.
ready to bisk!
a little trinket dish for a friend

Complicated Self-Portrait Bust PRODUCT

Cheshire Swirl
Ceramic
January 2024
Agam Bokovza Mariash
This semester in Ceramics 12, we were assigned a final project of a Complicated Self-Portrait Bust, where we were tasked to portray a complicated emotion, along with either flora or fauna to represent where the emotion portrayed/felt stems from. The emotion and facial expression chosen had to be one more complex than a sly smile or a frown and more of a facial expression that is shown by the paths woven through the artist’s nose, and the wrinkles revealed above the brows.

 

The Townsend’s Mole 

January 2024 

Agam Bokovza Mariash 

The Townsend’s Mole, named after the American naturalist John Kirk Townsend, is a wee little creature about the length of a pencil. These creatures are the largest moles in North America. Although it is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, in Canada it is considered an endangered species. These little guys are severely threatened by agriculture, landscaping, and pest control, and are a major part of our ecosystem here in the Fraser Valley. This is why I chose to add bits of green oozing out of the mole, representing pest poison. Moles help everyone out by aerating the soil and being an active contributor to our food chain, munching on slugs and serve as a yummy meal for our fellow coyotes, foxes, and snakes. Please don’t treat moles in your lawn as enemy, they are your friend! You can help these guys out by opting for better alternatives to grass lawns such as rock garden or native plants.