Marisa Mountaki

For this one, I decided to make greek inspired lidded jars, depicting the Evil Eye & the Anthemion (ancient greek symbol that resembles a plant) using a few different decorating techniques such as Sgraffito, Slip trailing, Brush application, Sprigs etc, 24k Gold lustre.

For this brief I was inspired by the Australian aboriginal dot art and the Japanese tea ceremony cups.

I wanted to show my greek identity through the white & blue colour and the evil eye designs.

Cups are wheel thrown with white stoneware clay and bisqued fired. Next step is glaze firing.

I've been really enjoying throwing on the wheel!

More pics on my Insta acc: @mar_isaart ☺️

My theme for this Story project, is “The World is your Playground”.

I chose that phrase, for two reasons.

First, because I like to believe that, like a kid in the playground, us adults, should and could, want to still explore, and be curious about the world around us.

Also I believe that despite growing older, people shouldn’t loose their youthful spirit, creativity and excitement about the world.

Second, because the word playground, reminds me of my creative style, which is colourful, happy & lighthearted.

So, for this project, I made 3 “Play Vessels”, from paper mache & plaster bandits and 5 “Play Objects”, from air-dry clay.

Other materials used: filler, hot glue, acrylics.

----Quick sketches of the "Play Vessels & objects"----

Sean Michael Gallagher aka “DysfunctionalWare”

Sean Michael spent his early youth in South Florida,

discovering his creative side at the age of 9 when he began writing short stories.

It wasn't until moving to Los Angeles in 1991 and starting his academic career as a Comparative Literature major in 2002 that he

discovered the ability to tell stories through the use of material. Thus switching to a fine arts major. (...)

(For more, go to www.seanmichaelgallagher.com)

Gallagher’s work is right up my alley, with the runny drippy,crazed glazes & the bright fun colours.

I also like that his work is sculptural & not functional, which gives him the freedom to experiment with quite unique textures shapes & materials. (see below, metal screws)

A few bits & pieces I've made recently.

They have nothing to do with ceramics but they fit the "Playground" Vibe. 🙂

Ron Nagle

Ron Nagle (born February 21, 1939) is an American sculptor, musician and songwriter. He is known for small-scale, refined sculptures of great detail and compelling color.

Nagle lives and works in San Francisco, California.

He has practiced ceramics for over 50 years. He has worked extensively with the typology of the vessel—specifically the cup—and pushed through the utilitarian concerns of traditional craft into formal consideration of the medium. His small-scale, intimately sized sculptures are often composite of multiple elements and involve a confluence of techniques and materials including slip-casting, airbrushing, hand-molding, traditional and non-traditional glazing, scalp-metal, polyurethane, wax, and epoxy.

(Source: Wikipedia)

I came across Nagle’s work, a couple of years ago and I was totally stunned.

I absolutely love the way he chooses to use colour, textures, matte/shiny surfaces, shapes.

It’s safe to to say that he is probably my favourite ceramist/sculptor.

Below, I’ve chosen my favourite pieces of his.

His work is almost edible!!

Colorful & Playful Shapes

These are made from air dry clay and painted with Acrylics.

"The World is your Playground"

These are the three vessels I've completed for my Story project.

I wanted to make something that is playful, bright & that satisfies my constant hunger for colour! 😅

Something that is an instant mood booster, that makes you want to hold it, look at bit from every angle and discover a new shape and a new colour.

"The World is your Playground"

Materials used: Paper Mache, Plaster, Filler, Glue, Acrylics

I made these two bowls out of Paper Mache & Plaster Bandits. I then painted them with Acrylics.

For the yellow one, I used a balloon as a mould.

For the pink one, I used a plastic bowl, made two of them and then stuck them together with hot glue. ( You can see the where they are connected. )

I then cut the top part in a wavy design with scissors.

I’m very much inspired by these 3D Designs ( that I found on Google)

I think they fit perfectly with my Story theme :

The World is your Playground

Ceramic Shapes

A few pieces that I've made from air dry clay.

These will be further painted & decorated.

A few different colour combinations & colour meanings.

All images found on Pinterest

Vessels from Paper Mache & Plaster Bandits.

After having attended the Cut & Paste workshop with Elaine & Mary, I decided to try and make two vessels from paper mache.

For the first one, I used a plastic bowl as a mold, newspaper & PVA glue.

I made two of these and I glued them together with hot glue.

I then cut the top, in a wavy shape.

After that, I covered the inside & outside with plaster bandits, to add thickness & try to hide the connecting part.

For my second vessel, I chose to use a balloon as a mold, newspaper again and instead of the PVA glue, I used a mix of Wheat Flour & Water.

This one took a little longer to dry.

When it was finally dried, I popped the balloon and cut a round hole on the top.

Afterwards, I covered it with plaster bandits as well.

Then I took a few photos of them in my garden.

They remind me the shape of an egg! But they're not done yet.