McNally's Art Classes: Clay & Sculpture

June 2, 2020

The Freedman by JQA Ward

The Freedman by John Quincy Adams Ward

I'm posting with a heavy heart this morning. I'm sure that you, like me, are trying to figure out how to be a positive force in this sad time. Let's look to art to both better understand and express our perspectives on healing from all the injustices.

Your assignment will be:
1. Examine this sculpture made in 1863.
Watch this video for an excellent analysis of the sculpture and its meaning.

2. Submit your answers to the questions on the google form posted on your google classroom page.

All work will be due June 12.

May 4, 2020

If you did not zoom in with me on Friday, here I am explaining and encouraging you through the project below. Sorry I am so lame.

April 27, 2020

Helloooo, looking forward to seeing the cereal box creatures you all come up with!
The weather is so gross, it's a good time to make art.

Our next project is inspired by the artist Joseph Cornell.

Joseph Cornell
A Parrott for Juan Gris

This short video highlights some of his pieces collected by one family. And, here I'll talk you through our approach.

This project will be great if you really spend some time thinking it through and collecting materials. Please don't waste your time by just rushing something together. Think about what your assemblage could be. Please submit a sketch of your idea prior to submitting the project photo. The sketch will be due by Friday, May 1. This project will have a due date of May 11, but you know that it is kind of a rolling due date. I want you to make these things as you feel inspired, (just don't put them off for too long 😬)

New assignment: Joseph Cornell Inspired Assemblage
Sketch Due: Friday, May 1 ***On your sketch, include not just the drawing of what you hope to build, but also list the objects you'll use and their significance.***
Project Due: Monday, May 11

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April 23, 2020

I have loved seeing your work this past week! It is a poor substitute for actually making things together, but seeing what you've come up with on your own is pretty exciting. Thanks for sharing your creativity with me. I still want to see what you're making with the clay you took home!! Send those pics!

For our 5th assignment, we are going to try making sculpture with materials we may have on hand at home. I found this video where another art teacher demonstrates making a bee out of a cereal box. Think of this as a jumping-off point. I will post her template here, but you could alter it and make any kind of creature you like. You'll notice there aren't any measurements, and this copy is probably too small for you to print and trace. I'm encouraging you to come up with your own plan. It will be great to have a digital exhibit of the various creatures you create from household papers or boxes. The helpful thing to borrow from her video and template are the cutting and notching of the pieces.

I'm making mine here.

Tomorrow, Friday, our "Art Day", I will be available on the Zoom meeting to answer your questions or just chit-chat. Your attendance is not mandatory, but zoom in if you'd like.

Our 6th assignment will be inspired by the organic land art of Andy Goldsworthy. (This website is poorly written but the photos are great!) Goldsworthy is famous for seeing sculpture in the natural environment and creating temporary, fascinating pieces, usually just using what he finds there.
I live near a Goldsworthy type artist. He is constantly constructing these sculptural pieces along the bike path near my house. Take a look. You could do a sculptural piece in his style, or you could make a natural mandala. Here are a couple of examples of that:

Simply collect leaves, flowers, twigs, stones, etc. in 8's. Start with North, South, East, West, and fill in the spaces in between. It's pretty cool. As long as it's not a windy day. 💨😬😞

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April 8, 2020

I'm continuing in the frame of mind that you will all get back to school before June, and you will be able to do some amazing surface decoration on the pieces you made earlier, and the ones you're making at home with your "Away with Clay" kit. To that end, I've been thinking about ways to make bold choices and be imaginative in surface design. This slide show by Ceramics teacher Dawn Adams shows an excellent way to try out new surface designs and stretch your imagination. (Her slide #17 instructs you to add your slides to the slideshow - you don't need to do that, just email/place in your google doc to me!) Try out at least two different frames, and make some interesting pictures with them. Pay attention to pattern, nature, textures. Have fun!

April 1, 2020

This morning my son and I made the air-dry clay recipe (below). Be sure to add that teensy extra bit of water if you try it. It starts out pretty dry.

He grabbed a leaf and traced it on his clay slab, then he placed it in a bowl (like we did with our 💜 dishes). It should dry within 24 hours, then he will paint it. I encourage you to try it, and send me a pic so I can see how it goes.

I'm still going on my coil bowl, a little at a time. Here are some time-lapse videos of the progress. Waiting to see what all of you are doing with sculpture at home!

Update, Thursday, April, 9, 2020
A lovely art teacher named Erin Vance found a way to put all the Great Pottery Throwdown episodes into a googledoc link. The episode is linked below.

Wednesday March 25, 2020 Clay 'n Sculpture Quarantine Edition...

How is everyone managing? Hope you are building a bit with the clay you brought home, and if not, get to it! Before it dries out! It can feel hard to motivate to make things, so maybe facetime with a pal while you build? Maybe share some clay with another family member and send me pics of both of your projects?
(Soon I will post some non-clay sculpture activities, but keep up with clay if you can.)

I've mentioned how much I love The Great Pottery Throwdown, the British reality TV show. I found it really motivated me to make things, so I want to assign you to watch the one I've linked below. And there are some questions posted, too, to keep you attentive!

Click here for Season 2, Episode 1

Sunday, March 22, 2020 Clay 'n Sculpture Quarantine Edition...

I hope you’re all doing well and staying healthy and safe! Even though we can’t be together making art in school, I wanted to send you a simple make-at-home clay recipe that I got from Cycle Pottery's Melissa, a wonderful potter and teacher here in Northampton. The recipe uses ingredients you may already have in your cupboard! This clay can also be painted (not glazed) once it is dry.

Simple Air-Dry Clay Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Baking Soda
- 1/2 Cup Corn Starch
- 1/2 Cup Water

Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a heavy bottomed pan
- Stir continuously over medium heat until clay forms
-Transfer clay to bowl to cool
- Store in airtight container in the fridge

There’s also a video on Instagram that walks you through the making process:
https://www.instagram.com/tv/B96zGxYAn91/?igshid=16q5m2vnpwkt3

I've only had a minute to work on my coil bowl but here is My video for March 19, showing my bowl.

I miss seeing all of your faces and look forward to seeing you soon.
If you end up making this, I'd love to see photos! mmcnally@shschools.com