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In this installment of the Ceramic Arts Daily Presents video series, Mel Griffin presents her techniques for creating illustrated pottery that truly merges the surface and the form. A painter and illustrator at heart, but also in love with the ceramic process, Mel doesn’t simply draw on the surfaces of her work. Instead she demonstrates how she draws into the surface, taking advantage of clay’s malleability to create further expression and movement. She begins by explaining where she looks for drawing inspiration, and then demonstrates how she breaks down source imagery into basic shapes and lines to create energetic sketches. Next she goes through the entire making process for a plate, bowl, and cup - from throwing the forms, to transferring the designs to the surface, to altering the form to enhance the drawing, and all the way through the decorating process. If you are interested in making dynamic expressive work, let Mel be your guide.

Contents:
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Drawing
Chapter 2 – Wetwork
Chapter 3 - Altering
Chapter 4 - Trimming
Chapter 5 - Adding a Handle
Chapter 6 - Drywork - Decoration
Chapter 7 - Finishing Techniques
Conclusion
Bonus: Studio Tour

Total runtime: Approximately 2 hours, 5 minutes

Gallery

About the Author

Mel Griffin

Mel Griffin earned her BA in studio art with a focus on drawing and painting from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota. Interested in learning more about ceramics, she went on to complete a two-year apprenticeship with potters Doug Browe and Jan Hoyman in Ukiah, California. In 2011, Mel earned her MFA in ceramics from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Mel has held artist residencies at Millersville University in Pennsylvania, Medalta International Artists in Residence Program in Medicine Hat, Alberta, Canada, and the Archie Bray Foundation for the Ceramic Arts in Helena, Montana. She has also received a number of awards for her work, including the LEAP Award from the Society for Contemporary Craft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 2011, and the Emerging Artist Award, from the The National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA) in 2014. To learn more about Mel and see more images of her work, please visit www.melgriffin.com.
Unfamiliar with any terms in this video? Browse our glossary of pottery terms!
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