Semester analysis..My personal discoveries, special needs inspirations and clay evolutions (Rick Kincheloe)

         Hello all. This semester has been a whirlwind of activity and events for me from the beginning of the semester. In late August, I was cordially invited by one of my Thesis advisors (David Driskill A.I.A) in the Texas Tech College of Architecture (from years ago when I obtained my B.Arch) to be the September Guest Artist at Urban Tech (College of Architecture facility) in Downtown Lubbock. I had about 2 weeks to gather drawings, paintings, a buon fresco painting, ceramic sculptures and fused glass artworks. I made a trip to Dallas to have my artwork framed by a framer that I trust. When I returned to Lubbock with my artwork, I learned that I needed to make 4 pedestals (2' x 2' x 3' tall) to display my work. At the College of Architecture wood shop, I was able to make and complete them in 2 days with help from Fred (manager), Gio, and Mark (wood shop technicians). My exhibition "Eloquent Meld" began on Friday, September 5th (see pics). On that Friday evening, a Lubbock High School senior art student interviewed me about my exhibit. I explained to her about my ceramic and buon fresco processes. I think I lost about 2 weeks of school time at the beginning of the semester for this exhibition and my costs escalated almost daily. I made 250 invitations (5"x7" color cards) and had new business cards printed. Future was right about 50 things you need to know before having a show. I was privileged and honored to have the opportunity to display my artwork at Urban Tech however, it became an expensive venture with many twists and turns. This experience taught me how to best exhibit my work with existing display conditions and minimum requirements that I will request to represent my work professionally and effectively.

     As I stated earlier in a post before I started the MAE program in Junction, I drove a school bus for McKinney ISD for 6 months (Route 38) taking 18 autistic children to/from school daily at McGowen Elementary. That was my 1st opportunity with special needs individuals and children. That opportunity changed my perspective of children with special needs. I wanted to learn more about autistic children and their rationales for learning and developing with their peers. This semester, I have researched ideals that will assist me if and when I interact with special needs children/young adults in school(s). I was enamored with the ideal that these individuals need guidance and patience with their aspirations, but that they are essentially treated no different than you or I. Next week, I am scheduled to interview Chris Ramos, Learning Specialist/Job Coach at the Burkhart Center for Autism (at Texas Tech) and Susan Venhuizen (Von's wife) who is an elementary school teacher in Lubbock who deals with autistic children. If you are interested to hear about the results of my interviews, please contact me via my yahoo email: rwk582002@yahoo.com.

     My book readings this semester have been on/off with my ceramic sculpture work at the LHUCA Clay Studio here in Lubbock. Many of the books I've read are "how to" books with descriptions and photos of processes. I enjoyed the book Hand Building by Shay Amber where I learned a lot of processes/procedures with various materials. The Potter's Bible by Marilyn Scott taught me about the different clays, forming methods, molds and texture types and processes. I also learned about burnishing, slip decorations and slip painting, underglazes, lusters and enamels. Wheel Throwing by Emily Reason, taught me to further investigate how to form pots and cylinders. I have so much room for experience in wheel throwing. Daniel Rodriguez can attest to that ideal. The book on High Fire Glazes by John Britt has taught me about oxides, colorants, mixing glazes and firing kilns with reduction firings. The Craft and Art of Clay A Complete Potter's Handbook by Susan and Jan Peterson is an excellent reference book for throwing and footing pots, pulling/attaching handles, creating hand built human figures and creatures, learning about types of clays, glazes, firing procedures and histories of clays and the beautiful portfolio of works. I was unable to investigate and analyze whether I want to pursue Mold Making and Slip Casting by Andrew Martin. I also reviewed 500 Raku Dynamic Ceramic Techniques by Lark Ceramics, Mastering Raku by Steven Branfman and Architectural Ceramics by Peter King. Lastly, but certainly not least, I studied ceramic processes from A Meditation of Fire by James Watkins.

     Lastly in this blog submittal are my experiences of working with hand built and thrown clay forms at LHUCA. I have sincerely enjoyed every moment spent at the LHUCA Clay Studio, and I can't seem to get enough. I could easily spend all of my time there, and I hope that I can continue work with my sculptures over the Christmas Break and next semester. If anyone is interested, I will be happy to post my progress pics to my yahoo email address (rwk582002@yahoo.com) or possibly my Google blogger site (rickkincheloe91).
My 1st sculpture that I had started (from clay leftover from Junction Summer 2014) began early in the semester but I lost the piece because I had research and writing to do and I couldn't get back to the piece for 1 week. By then, the clay had stiffened and there was very little moisture in the clay and I lost the piece. I salvaged the clay (by resoaking) and it's ready for me to work it after my 3rd sculpture piece. If I use that clay, the piece will be smaller than the others. I may investigate how I can repurpose it. However, I can't mix it or fire it with the architecture clay that I'm using presently at LHUCA.
I have flipped my next sculpture, cleaned it up and I will add shapes, undulate the surface also. I have also included a picture of the next sculpture (revised picture) that may stand on it's end with the handle left. I've added a kidney shape (dashed line) below handles that will be a cutout in what will be the 3rd level. 1st level is the raised heart shape in lower left, the 2nd level is the guitar shape in the middle and the 3rd level is the handle and gear portions. I'm also considering the original orientation of the piece but to make the form such that it will not rest on the gear spoke.

Thank You to all for your comments/suggestions that will make me a better artist and designer.