Field trip! Photography Class Week Three

 

 

In week three we got out of the studio (classroom), and took a field trip to a women's volleyball game, Northwestern vs. Illinois.  We were encouraged to take photos using shutter priority.  This is a semi-manual function, where the user controls the shutter speed (and other things like ISO and white balance), and the camera will automatically select the right aperture setting.  Aside from capturing the action, we were tasked with telling the story of the entire experience. 

Here are a few shots I took at the game, and also a few I took at home later in the week.  There is a sort of selfie in one of the photos, see if you can spot me!

Be back soon.

Hugs,
Tara

 

 

 

 

 

Check out other photography class adventures:

 

Garfield Park Conservatory and Photography Class Week One

Photograph, all I've got is a photograph - Photography Class Week Two

 

 

 

 



I'm going round and round again - ceramics week three

Small ceramic cylinder

 

 

Week three of ceramics was much the same as week two.  Practice, practice, practice!  We went straight to work, and Wendy the instructor came around to answer questions and trouble shoot.  I've gotten okay at centering and building a basic small cylinder.  It would be nice to do some other shapes and sizes.  Next class we will have a demonstration on bowls, and, by request, mugs. 

 

While I was working, it occurred to me ceramics has some things in common with Thai bodywork and Buddhist meditation.  The first connection to Thai massage is that you have to listen to the clay, as you would listen to a client's body.  You have to be quiet in your own mind so you can observe the conditions.  You also must have a steady and firm grip, but not grasping.  In ceramics, if you push too hard, you'll go off center or create a lump, or even ruin the piece all together.  Thai bodywork has also helped me be more aware of when I'm holding in my own body, and I've caught myself at the wheel plenty of times being taut in the hands, overly hunched in the shoulders, and tense in the hips.  Relaxing or even taking a little stretch is nice.  It can also help to get up entirely, and look at your piece from a different angle. 

 

Which brings me to the connection with Buddhist meditation, and the idea of non-attachment.  Especially as a beginner, there are just so many things that can go "wrong;" a finished piece definitely isn't guaranteed.  Today I went to the studio for extra practice.  I had a piece finished and was getting the wire ready to take it off the wheel.  It somehow snagged, and the wire handle irreparably gouged the side.  Clay is a delicate thing - it could dry too quickly before it can be trimmed, explosions happen in the kiln, it can be handled indelicately and shatter. 

 

But back to the class!  A few of us had items that were ready for the next step, trimming.  We also had a lesson in handle making and attaching.  See below for my little pitcher moving on. 

 

In a few weeks there will be a raku firing, and we are invited to prepare items for it.  There is another type of clay used.  It looks lighter in color, but otherwise I'm not sure how it is different than the brown clay we've been using.  I'll find out and report back.  The firing itself it a low-fire method, done outside, with lead glazes and sometimes combustible materials (e.g. grasses, leaves, even hair) that will leave an imprint on the clay.  Pieces made through this method are somewhat porous, and not food safe.

 

Here is a short video of a raku firing.  Looks fun!  I'm planning to participate, so I should start making items next class.  Let's hope for decent weather, November in Illinois can really be dicey. 

 

Be back soon!

 

Hugs,

Tara

 

Oh look, a small cylinder. 

 

    

The small pitcher from week two is now trimmed.

 

 

And now it has a wee handle.



The little pitcher (bottom right) ready to dry more and the first firing. 

Raku examples

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Catch up with the previous adventures in ceramics:

 



Wheels spinning 'round - ceramics week one

You spin me right round, baby - ceramics weeks two

 

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You spin me right round, baby - ceramics week two

 

 

Ready?  Okay!

 

 

We had a lot more time on the wheel in week two, only a short review demo by the instructor, Wendy.  After the demo, we went step-by-step together centering the clay and forming a basic shape.  Then we were left to practice, with Wendy answering questions and walking around to give help. 

 

Let's see if I can remember the initial steps:

 

1) Wedge, wedge, and wedge some more.  This is sort of like kneading dough in baking, but a lot more physical.  The purpose in ceramics is to have consistent material, get out air bubbles, and get the mound in a shape that will make centering easier.

 

2) Get the clay on the wheel, ideally right in the center.  If not, skootch it around until it looks like it is. 

 

3) Start the wheel, get your hands and the clay wet and slippery. 

 

4) Center

 

5) Make a depression in the center, going almost all the way down.  Check the depth of the bottom, using the pin tool.  If okay, move on, if not make thinner or thicker as needed. 

 

6) Open the shape to the desired circumference.  Compress the bottom.  Pull the walls up, shape.

 

7) Grab a board (it has a name, I forget), and have it very nearby for transferring your creating.  Hold the wire taught at the base of the piece.  Very slowly turn the wheel, cutting the clay free from the wheel.  Hold gingerly, with a light turning motion pick the piece up close to the bottom and transfer quickly to the board. 

 

 

Of course Wendy makes it look like no big whoop, the rest of us are a wet lopsided mess.  I am so thankful for all that teach beginning anything.  They are so patient!  I really appreciate Wendy's philosophy, which is:  we are beginners, and should be patient with ourselves.  Learning any new skill takes time.  Enjoy the process, don't worry about production, and just have fun getting messy!

 

I can dig it!

 

Be back soon with an update for photography class.

 

Hugs,

Tara       

  

 

Ceramics!

 

 

Clay that has been wedged and is ready for the wheel.

 

 

Centered

 

 

Yay, I made a small pitcher (foreground)! 

A vase by the instructor during the demo is in the background.

 

 

A pitcher made by the instructor last week.  It is now

"soft-leather hard," a good time to do any trimming.

 

 

 

 Tools

 

 

 

Smocks

 

 

Land of too wet clay, drying out on a plaster slab.

 

 

Something on my shelf!

 



Garfield Park Conservatory and Photography Class Week One

 

 

I've been wanting to take a photography class for awhile, and last week I happened upon a flier for the non-credit program at Northwestern University, Norris Mini Courses, just a few days before the class began.  It's a nice program, affordably priced, and not far from our house.  I also registered for a ceramics class, which I'll write about in a separate entry. 

 

I've had a lot of fun noodling around with the Cannon EOS Rebel T3i I got last summer, took an afternoon "how to use your camera" course thanks to my thoughtful husband, and did two short e-courses.  I was at a point I wanted technical help for tricky photo situations (e.g. lighting, movement), I was ready to expand my subjects, and I do well as a classroom learner.  The timing was also good, as I'm "less-employed" (the labor department would probably call the situation under-employed) and it is good to have a regular thing to do outside the house involving other people.      

 

Week One was mostly an overview of the course, introductions, and getting to know our cameras and the buttons and dials.  Reading the manual was one assignment.  I've been told numerous times to read the manual, and this time I actually did.  I wish I had sooner, good info in there!   

 

I had the idea to head to the Garfield Park Conservatory to take shots for the other assignment, which was to explore the camera settings and have a few images to share with the class.  I've only been to  Garfield Park one other time, in the late '90s, for the Dale Chihuly exhibit.  If you live in or visit the Chicago area, go to the Garfield Park Conservatory.  It's lovely, and visiting feels like a mini-adventure, definitely a respite from the urban environment.  And it's free!  There is a parking lot, I found easy street parking, and it is right by the green line "Conservatory" stop. 

 

The park is set within Chicago's boulevard system, traversing it makes me feel like I've stepped back in time.  Sadly, some boulevards run through neighborhoods that have declined.  As gentrification happens, areas have seen renewal.  There is a small gift shop at the Conservatory, but no other amenities, so eat before you go!  I found out too late there is a new Garfield Park location of Inspiration Kitchen nearby.  Next time I go to the Conservatory I'll plan to have a meal there. 

 

The Conservatory currently has a special Wind Chime exhibit until November 11.  A cheerful volunteer gave me a map and tips for my visit.  All ages were there, as well as a variety of group sizes and ethnicities.  There are a number of attractions geared toward children, and the kids I saw seemed to be having a great time.  Areas are under renovation, due to hail damage suffered during a storm a few years ago. 

 

Below are some images I took during my visit (and one taken by another visitor!).  The Garfield Park Conservatory is certainly a gem in Chicago, and I'm glad I took the time to go.  Drop me a note if you have suggestions for other photo adventures!