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Nourishing Creativity

Nourishing Creativity

Nothing looks as luscious as a piece of ripe fruit. From Bernard Palissy the 16th century ceramicist, to Yixing Potters of China, to contemporary artisits like Lisa Fitzgibbon, and Lorrine Taylor and Niky Smart, reproducing produce in clay has a long history. It's also fun! Possible themes for the classroom could be favorite fruits, backyard vegetables, or international produce. Make a trompe l'oeil fruit or a whole bowl of them, learn about your favorite produce.

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Supplies List

Nourishing Creativity

Research and Sketch

Look at fruits and vegetables, both local and imported: surface texture, color, stems, etc. Draw shape of chosen fruit or vegetable, break down into basic forms.

Pinch Two Pots

Create two pinch pots roughly the same size.

Slip and Score

Score the rims of both of the pinch pots.

Join

Join the pinch pots rim to rim, use a wood tool to joint the seam.

Coil Seam

Add a coil to reinforce the seam.

Shape

Use your hands and a paddle to mold fruit into desired shape.

Score

Use toothed rib or scoring tool to score the surface in preparation for smoothing.

Smooth Surface

Use a metal draper or a rubber rib to smooth the surface.

Add Details

Add stem, leaf, or texture to the piece.

Poke Hole

Poke a small hole in your form before bisque firing.

Bisque, Glaze, and Fire

Let the piece dry and then bisque fire. Apply LM glazes and fire to cone 05 for a satiny surface.

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