Handbuilding - Plan to Technique with Laura Peters | Wed 1-4pm | 1/8-2/12 | Spring 2025
Ceramics | Available
In this course traditional handbuilding techniques using soft and
hard slab as well as coil construction will be utilized to create
functional, non-functional and sculptural forms. Students are
encouraged to work at their own pace and to develop their own
unique directions. Through discussion and demonstration
students will explore form, imagery and narrative. Learning how
to make mugs, pitchers, wall pieces, lidded boxes, texture rollers, handles, spouts,
and decorative trays, are just a few examples that may be
demonstrated in class. Students will discover how various
techniques can be combined to achieve exciting new exteriors
on their pieces. Surface treatment can include sgraffito, water
etching, slip trailing, carving, and decorating with underglazes.
The main goal will be to improve clay skills by refreshing and
energizing the student’s approach to clay.
All clay used in Art League ceramics classes must be purchased at the Art League. Clay purchased at the Art League cannot be brought outside of the studio. If additional time is needed to complete projects, students in a ceramics class may enroll in open studio time. Work produced in Art League classes must be constructed at a reasonable size so as to not overload the kilns. The Art League thanks its students for following guidelines to keep the kiln schedule under control so that all students receive their work back in a timely fashion.
- Students must purchase a basic beginner ceramics tool kit in advance. Students may only work with and fire clay purchased from ALLI. Your teacher will review clay types on the first day of class, and you will be able to purchase at that time. Clay is $40 per bag.
Laura Peters
As a ceramic artist the hands on “shaping of earth” aspect of clay has always been appealing to me. Through the technique of handbuilding I manipulate slabs or coils of clay to achieve a sense of organic movement. Textures and “sprig mold” additions are added to the surface to create a 3-dimensional aspect. Most of the additions are created with found items such as leaves, shells, and fossils. I love to explore the outdoors as well as flea markets and junk shops to find new and exciting elements to incorporate for my surface additions.
The highly detailed images that adorn much of my work are created using underglazes and a very fine brush. The style is a return to my roots in ink and charcoal drawing. The inspiration for the subject matter primarily revolves around my passion for the flora and fauna of North America. My pieces will often shed light on the dynamic between human activity and our impact on the environment. Animals that tend to be viewed in our culture as vermin or pests are a common feature that I portray in a more positive light to help showcase their importance within various ecosystems.
With my continued work I strive to create tactile objects that entice the viewer to explore them further and perhaps contemplate the value and contribution of each species large and small.