Week #, Date. Title (projects worked on)
- Brief Overview of what you did this week, including photo documentation of process.
- Your biggest struggle of the week.
- Your biggest success of the week.
- Goal for next week.
Core Competencies
During this class I believe I achieved collaboration core competency. For the coil vessel project I worked with 2 other people. We determined a theme, our theme was strawberry, and we created coil vessel and presented in a meaningful way. Everyone in my group was so talented and hardworking. As a group we did a great job on coil vessel assignment. I supported my teammates, stayed organized, and helped create a final piece we were all proud of.
Potter’s Wheel – Documentation (PRODUCT)
Glorious Mug and the Plate
Three Beauties
Flower Bowl
Artist Statement – Raised Cat Bowls
For mt inquiry project, I created two raised cat bowls for my own cats at home. I wanted to make something practical, something they could actually use every day. My goal was to create art that has a real purpose, something that fits into daily life, not just something to look at on a shelf.
My artist philosophy is simple: art should make me feel better. When I create something, I want to be proud of it, and I want it to be part of my life in a meaningful way. That’s why I chose to make these cat bowls, not only because I love my cats, but because I love the idea that art can be useful and still full of personality.
I used clay for this project because it gave me the freedom to shape the bowls exactly how I wanted on the wheel. I made sure the bowls were raised to help my cats eat more comfortably, and I added little special creative touches to make them feel personal. Also, for one of my raised cat bowls I chose to use colored glaze to give the cat bowl a simple but still stylish look.
The themes in my work focus on joy and elegance. One bowl has a bright orange fruit design that feels enjoyable and energetic. The other focuses on darker tones and a simple style to create an elegant and stylish look. Together, they show how different colors and designs can express different moods. My vision was to make something both useful and expressive.
Week #17, June 13, Potters Wheel and Inquiry
1- This week I finished the building phase of my inquiry projects and let them dry. I am making a two-piece raised cat bowl for Inquiry. Also, there was progress on my potters wheel projects this week. I completed the underglaze and glaze phases of my potters wheel projects which went out from the Bisque Fire. Also, this week I made a nut bowl for my dad for Father’s Day and let it dry.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was the timeline. Since we only have 1 more week left I tried to rush a little bit ti finish my project on time. Because of I’m doing multiple projects for each assignment it takes a little bit more time.
3- My biggest success this week was to finishing the building phase for all my projects and doing a great job on under glazing and glazing..
4- My goal for next week is to finish up all the projects I’m doing and doing a great job.
Week #16, June 6, Potters Wheel and Inquiry
1- This week I started my next project, the inquiry project. Before starting the building phase, I prepared my research, sketches and ideation and after showing my design to Mr. Rossington and getting his approval, I started the building phase. This week I managed to create two bowls that are part of my design on the wheel. I also did a bonus project this week. For this, I created a protruding design by placing layers of heart-shaped clay on top of a square to make it 3D. Finally, I finished the week by completing the underglazing and glazing phases of all my projects that came out of bisque fire.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was to under glazing the plate part of my potters wheel assignment. Because of the design of the plate was too thin I had hard times waxing it.
3- My biggest success this week was to having a great job in building the bowls on the wheel.
4- My goal for next week is to doing a great job on my inquiry project’s building part. I still need to attach those two bowls to each other.
Inquiry Term-Long Project (PROCESS)
Inquiry Term-Long Project (PURPOSE)
3 inspiring photos:
I want to make a raised cat bowl for my cats. I have 2 lovely cats and it will be easier and safer for them to eat from a raised bowl, so they do not have to bend. Others made designs from simple to fancy and detailed. I will make to bowls. One of them will have a simpler design while the other one will have a more detailed and fancy design.
One of the challenges I might face during the building process is creating the bowls nearly identical, so it will not look weird. So, I have to be very careful when building them on the wheel. I can create the first bowl and have it in front of me when creating the second bowl, so I can constantly look at the first one and try to make the second one identical to the first bowl. Another challenge might be for to attaching the bowl together. Since I have to attach them when they are in plastic consistency, it might be hard for me to turn one of them upside down. Because it will be very delicate when it is wet. But, in order to have a good result, I can put them into slow drying bin with a plastic bag on top of them to wait them dry just a little bit so I can turn one of them upside down without demaging the design.
Week #15, May 30, Coil Vessel and Potters Wheel
1-This week my coil vessel came out of glaze fire and I completed my coil vessel assignment. We took a photo of our strawberry themed coil vessels that my group and I created, with the strawberry coil vessel in the middle and two strawberry coil vessels on either side.I immediately started working on the wheel vessel project. Thanks to the practice I had done on the Wheel in the previous weeks, I was able to easily create the designs I wanted on the Wheel. I first put my designs in the slow drying bin and then on the tray for the bisque fire to dry.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was still having trouble centering my clay on the wheel even though I had gained a lot of practice in the previous weeks.
3- My biggest success of this week was to do a good job on the wheel and be able to complete the building stages for my Potters Wheel project without any problems.
4- My goal for next week is to doing a great job on under glazing and glazing parts of my potters wheel project.
Artist Statement (Triptych)
For Coil Vessel Assignment, I aimed to make a two-piece cupcake figure consisting of a cup and a lid. A cupcake is a dessert that always makes me happy and brightens up my day when I see it. Cupcakes remind me of childhood birthdays and family gatherings, times filled with bright colors and warmth. Also, the fact that the cupcake can be designed in any way you want was the most important factor that pushed me to make a cupcake. This emotional connection to celebration and comfort shaped the inspiration behind my coil vessel.
I used clay to build my design. During the creation process, I chose the coil technique because it allowed me to build the swirling frosting shape layer by layer, just like how real cupcakes looks. Each coil adds height and movement to the piece, making it look realistic. I added bright blue sprinkles and a red strawberry to make the piece pop with color. The glossy glaze gives it a finished, candy-like texture that ties into our theme. Also, I also used the templet I made for the bottom part of my cupcake, which opens towards the top and thus I managed to achieve a realistic cupcake look.
My goal was to capture a sense of joy and nostalgia in my work. As theme, this piece is about celebrating the joy. I wanted my work to reflect a sense of happiness, childhood, and imagination. My goal as an artist was to to transform a simple object into a meaningful work of art that reflects feelings of joy and liveliness for not only for the viewer, but also for myself during the creative process. I aimed to remind people of happy memories and the small, sweet moments that bring color to their lives.
Art Exhibit
May 26, 2025
The artist tried to obtain a cat form by using contrast in the cat’s color (black and white) and I can see this when I first look at the painting, she was successful in this sense. The artist also used value to create shadows on the bricks of the wall on which the cat is standing, creating a realistic and 3D appearance, and presents a successful image. Finally, the artist used many shapes in her painting. She used rectangles in the bricks, circles in the moon and stars, and triangles in the cat’s ears.
I think the art represents solitude, wisdom and mystery. The cat’s posture and the way it looks at the moon shows that the cat has deep thoughts and it creates a mystery. I can also see that the cat is enjoying the peace that solitude brings.
This art piece made me feel peaceful. The fact that the cat is thoughtful but also found peace in its thoughts made me feel at peace.
Week #13, May 16, Coil Vessel and Potters Wheel
1- This week I continued with under glazing my coil vessel. After I finished the underglaze process, I started the glazing process. First I covered the cup’s bottom part with wax, so it will not stick on the kiln, and then glazed the whole clay and put it into glaze tray for glaze firing. Another thing I did this week is designing and building my Potters Stamp in the maker space. Also I did some practices on the wheel.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was to get more familiar with the wheel.
3- My biggest success this week was to having a great job in the potters stamp assignment. I really like my design.
4- My goal for next week is to doing a great job on building my potters wheel on the wheel.
Potters Stamp
Week #12, May 9, Coil Vessel and Potters Wheel
1- This week my coil vessel went into the kiln for bisque fire and after it came out I started the underglaze process. This week I also prepared designs for the stamp that we will build on the 3D printer. Another thing I did this week was continue to practice to get better at the wheel for the Potters Wheel assignment.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was to get more familiar with the wheel. Even though I have managed to center my clay, I am still having problems shaping it.
3- My biggest success this week was to having a great job in under glazing my clay. I worked very carefully because my design has lots of details.
4- My goal for next week is to doing a great job on building my potters wheel on the wheel.
Week #11, May 2, Coil Vessel and Potters Wheel
1-This week I started the potters wheel assignment. I decided to make a raised cat bowl for my lovely cat Ollie. First I researched what I wanted to create, found a few ideas on the internet. Then I drew 5 sketches and prepared a concept drawing. Before moving on to the building phase, I tried to get more familiar with the wheel by doing a few practices on the wheel. This week I also checked my coil vessel every day to make sure it didn’t crack again and tried to soften the small cracks by applying vinegar to the necessary areas. I also sanded both the bottom and top of my coil vessel as best I could.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was to get more familiar with the wheel. Because I haven’t work with wheel before and it was hard to create art works.
3- My biggest success this week was to finding a perfect idea for my potters wheel assignment and drawing the concept drawing in the best way.
4- My goal for next week is to doing a great job on building my potters wheel on the wheel.
Potters Wheel – Thrown Vessel (PURPOSE)
3 Inspiring Photo:
Ideations:
For my pottery wheel assignment, I plan to create a cup with a matching plate, a plate with flowers and a triptych. I will use positive space to shape the actual bowl and and cups. The negative space will be emphasized in the interior of the bowl and cups and the curved space.
Concept Drawings:
Week #10, April 24, Coil Vessel Assignment
1-This week, I found that the bottom coil of my coil vessel, which I left to dry last week, was cracked and separated from the rest. To fix the situation, I put slip between the broken and large cracked parts. I also fixed the small cracks with vinegar. This week, I also attended a demo on making clay designs at wheel.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was to repair the cracks. This had never happened to me before and I didn’t know what to do. I tried to fix the situation with the advice I received.
3- My biggest success this week was to build doing a great job at the wheel.
4- My goal for next week is to doing a great job on the underglaze of my dried coil vessel.
Week #9, April 17, Coil Vessel Assignment
1- This week I started the build phase of my coil vessel. Using the clay I wedged last week, I first built a cup for my cupcake design with the experience I gained from Monster Mug. Then, for the creme part of my cupcake, I created the design I wanted by placing the coils on top and leaving space between them. I also created a strawberry figure on top because my group’s theme is STRAWBERRY. After completing the building phase, I left my coil vessel on the slow drying rack to dry.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was to build my design quickly, before the clay dried. Because as I wedge and shaped the clay, my clay kept drying out due to the air and I had to wet it and build it again.
3- My biggest success this week was to build the design exactly as I wanted. At the same time, I completed the building phase by using my time in the best way this week.
4- My goal for next week is to doing a great job on the underglaze of my dried coil vessel.
Week #8, April 5, Coil Vessel Assignment
1-I started this week by putting the finishing touches on my soap stone and handing in my soap stone assignment. Then I started researching and making sketches for the next assignment, Coil Vessel. I finished this week by doing my cupcake concept drawing and wedging the clay I will be using next week to get all the air bubbles out and putting it in an airtight bag.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was wedging the clay. Because in order to het all the air bubbles out of the clay I needed to wedge the play approximately 200 hundred times.
3- My biggest success this week was to doing a great job in concept drawing. I really like my and my group’s designs and the ideas for this assignment.
4- My goal for next week is to doing a great job on creating the coil vessel I planned.
Coil Vessel Concept Drawing
I’m planning to used positive space to create the cupcake form, focusing on the spiral coils and the raised blue sprinkles. The negative space is emphasized between the blue decorations and around the swirls, helping define the shape and texture of the frosting. I used line through the coil design to present it upward to the strawberry on top, creating a sense of movement and rhythm.
Coil Vessel Sketches
I’m planning to used positive space to create the cupcake form, focusing on the spiral coils and the raised blue sprinkles. The negative space is emphasized between the blue decorations and around the swirls, helping define the shape and texture of the frosting. I used line through the coil design to present it upward to the strawberry on top, creating a sense of movement and rhythm.
Coil Vessels Research
My group’s theme is foods and I will be making a cupcake, those are my 3 inspiring photos:
Soap Stone (Product)
Soap Stone Artist Statement
My soapstone carving reflects my appreciation and deep love for animals. I love making art with animals, especially cats because it makes me happy and brings a sense of positivity to my work. I chose to carve a cat out of soapstone because I wanted to capture the peaceful and graceful nature of cats. My goal was to create something that feels calm and natural while also reflecting my love for animals.
I used soapstone because it’s easy to carve and has a smooth texture that looks polished when finished with it. I liked how the natural colors and patterns in the soapstone made my sculpture unique. I focused on shaping the cat’s body with soft edges and polished the surface to highlight the stone’s natural color and patterns.
I used the elements of shape to define the cat’s form such as ears, nose and eyes. I also focused on balance, ensuring that the sculpture I made felt stable, well-proportioned and looks symmetrical. Space played an important role especially on ears, legs and eyes, allowing the shape of the cat to stand out. Finally, with form and texture I made the cat’s shape smooth to create a sense of calmness.
The theme of my art work is peace and calmness. I wanted my cat sculpture to show the quiet, peaceful energy. Making art about animals, especially about cats, always makes me peaceful and I hope this sculpture makes others feel the same.
Week #7, March 14, Soap Stone Assignment
1- This week I continued with the Soap Stone project. I completed the final stages of shaping my soap stone, making the cat’s legs, paws and face. This week I finished shaping my soap stone to the shape I wanted and started the sanding process. First I used a low level sanding and then a high level sanding to get rid of all the roughness.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was carving a cat face on soapstone because the eyes and nose had to be small and adding small details to the soapstone was a hard.
3- My biggest success this week was doing a great job on the cat’s legs and paws. I’m happy that I was able to get the soapstone to show off the cat’s legs and paws perfectly.
4- My goal for next week is to doing a great job on sanding and oiling process.
Week #6, March 6, Soap Stone Assignment
1-After watching the soap stone demo this week, I started working on giving my soap stone the shape I wanted, which is cat form. I tried to give the soap stone the shape I wanted with the necessary tools and water throughout the week and I will continue next week.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was to cut the soapstone. I had a hard time making the straight and desired cuts while cutting the soapstone. Also, since I had no previous experience with the tools I used, I had a hard time getting used to them.
3- My biggest success of this week was to have improved my drawings. I did not have as much difficulty as I did before while drawing the first stages of the soap stone project and I think I did a good job especially in concept drawing.
4- My goal for next week is to be able to achieve the form I want in soapstone and to do a good job.
Soap Stone Concept Drawing
Soap Stone Ideation and Sketching
Week #5, February 27, Bar Soap Assignment, Soap Stone Assignment
1- I started this week by finishing my fish-shaped bar soap assignment that I started making last week. After giving the shape of the fish, I showed the prominent parts with line and the scales of the fish also contributed to the texture. After this assignment, I started researching for the next assignment, soap stone. After my research, I started drawings for soap stone.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was drawing like every week. I had hard times with the drawing I made for the soap stone assignment.
3- My biggest success of this week was to do a good job on my bar soap assignment. Because soap is a substance that is a little difficult for me to work with and I thought I would not get the result I wanted, but as a result, I got a art piece that was exactly what I wanted and that I was proud of.
4- My goal for next week is to improving my drawing skills. My goal is to better capture the 3D view in my drawings.
Soap Stone Research and Documentation
I chose Turkey to investigate the types of sculpture. Below, there are some examples:
- Mount Nemrut, Head of Apollon, from 1st century BC
– Tombili’s Statue
- Seval Şahin
– Miras (Heritage)
unu-dunyaya-yayilan-turk-heykeltiraslar
- By Metin Yurdanur
– İnsanlık Anıtı (Monument to Humanity)
unu-dunyaya-yayilan-turk-heykeltiraslar
- By Mehmet Aksoy
– Akdeniz Statue
unu-dunyaya-yayilan-turk-heykeltiraslar
- By Ilhan Koman
– Kuşlar (Birds) Statue
unu-dunyaya-yayilan-turk-heykeltiraslar
- By Kuzgun Acar
Bar Soap
Week #4, February 21, Bar Soap Assignment
1- This week I sketched a few designs for the bar soap assignment and decided to carve the soap into the shape of a fish. Afterwards, I drew and cut the drawing to the size of the soap and started creating my design in the soap.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was to carving the soap. Because the soap is a little bit hard so it is hard for me to carve it in the shape I want.
3- My biggest success of this week was the fish I drew for the bar soap assignment. I was able to draw the fish exactly as I wanted and as I had in mind. This is a success for me because I often have difficulty drawing designs.
4- My goal for next week is to be more familiar and flexible when using the tools that I’m using to carve my bar soap.
Artist Philosophy
As an 11th grade student with a busy schedule I often feel overwhelmed by the work and stress of daily life. Between schoolworks and extracurriculars, I sometimes need an escape. I need to relax my mind and reconnect with myself. I use art for this purpose. Sometimes I need to look at life differently and sometimes it is easier for me to paint on paper or create things that cannot be expressed in words. In this way, art actually becomes my means of communication between my inner and outer world. Another reason why I make art is the fact that art has no limits, and it offers endless freedom. In a world bound by rules and expectations, art is my way to break free. There are no restrictions on what I can create, there is no right or wrong answers. This inspires me to push my imagination and explore new ideas without worrying about judgment. As a result, I make art for express and experience freedom. Also, I want to work with clay. I want to give smooth and curved shapes to the clay on the clay wheel. This is an art that relaxes me. I also like making models with materials such as paper matche and joint compound.
4 Square Skill Builder Part #2
4 Square Skill Builder Part #1
Week #3, February 14, 4 Square Skill Builder Project
1- This week I completed the 4 Square Skill Builder assignment. Last week I started painting my 4 square shapes. This week, I finished painting shapes with watercolor. After painting, I added texture and 3D appearance to the shapes with ink. Thus, I completed 4 Square and in the second phase of the project, I made 3D drawings of an apple, first with a pencil on a sketch book and then with a pastel on a mixed media paper.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was drawings the apple. I had a bit of difficulty shading the apple and adding value to it, especially when drawing it with a pencil. Despite these difficulties, I think I did a good job and I am improving.
3- My biggest success of this week is to being improved in 3D drawing.
4- My goal for next week is to improving value and shading in my drawings.
Week #2, February 7, 4 Square Skill Builder Project
1- This week I started the 4 Square Skill Builder project. As stated in the project instructions, I divided a piece of watercolor paper into 4 parts and drew certain shapes and forms in each section. These were circle, cup, my initial and tree. Then I started painting these shapes with watercolor. While painting, I was careful to add value to certain shapes to create value. Another thing I did this week was to practice in 3D drawing.We did this as a class under Mr Rossington’s instructions.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was to making drawings for 4 Square Skill Builder. I had a hard time drawing the tree in particular. I’m having a hard time with drawing because I’m not very talented and I don’t have enough practice. As I practice, I will get better and better at my drawings.
3- My success of this week was to be able to create a 3-D look by toning the shapes with watercolor without any difficulty. I thought I would have difficulty in this regard because it is a little difficult to control watercolor, but I am happy that I was successful in this regard.
4- My goal for next week is to improve my drawing skill, just like my goal last week.
Week #1, January 31, Introduction to Class
1- We did a lot of things as a class this week. Among these things, on the first day, to get to know each other, we played a 2 right 1 wrong game, a knife safety demonstration and following to that the quiz, name tags for our bins, and drawings in my sketch book.
2- My biggest struggle of this week was drawings in my sketch book because even though I enjoy 3D art and I think I’m good at creating something in 3D, I’m not good at drawing.
3- My biggest success of the week is listening very well to knife safety lesson and getting 100% on the safety quiz.
4- My goal for newt week is to work on my drawing skills try harder to be good at drawing.