Linda Lighton

I chose to study this artist for my AP assignment. Her pieces are flowing, and free-form, yet are both abstract and organic. She tries to make her pieces sensual and inviting. What I like most about her sculptures is her use of bright colors, and the similarity to Dr. Seuss. Her work has inspired my Dr Seuss/ Alice in Wonderland tea pot in progress.

I made this parrot for, the NAHS Gecko design. It was very difficult to build a parrot that would fit and hang appropriately. I had to rebuild the tale several times before I made on the worked. The parrot and tail had to be made separately and attached after firing. Credit for the mosaic goes to Anna and Becca in Mrs. Cocciolone's class.

Heart and Soul

This was my heart and soul entry. I titled it "Philosophy of Time: Volume 2" as an expanded version of a previous piece with similar concepts. The piece was constructed through slab manipulation, ultimately consisting of 21 slabs. The red was achieved using a red underglaze with splotched brown glaze to give it a worn look. The blue was achieved by mixing copper carbonate with exotic blue glaze. I was able to give the clock a wood finish by applying black pastel mixed with floor wax, after the second firing.

Gothic Art in the Gilded Age Gallery Visit

A temporary exhibit at the Ringling Art Museum, it featured works from the Renaissance era. I viewed pieces from other galleries such as the Etruscan, Roman, and Egyptian Art, however, the earlier pottery seemed more restricted to creativity. The earlier were created more for functionality than anything else, for many of the pitchers, had nearly the same style shape and handle. I was inspired by the Gothic Art because the creativity was overwhelming. As in the picture to the left, vessels were inlaid with precious metals and intricate designs. A common depiction and engravement was a lion, which I assume would signify nobility. The pieces gave off an aura of divinity and power.

I believe this visiting this gallery was beneficial and I would recommend others to do so, for it truly inspired me to pay more attention to the little intricate details.

Artistic Baggage Assignment

The purpose of this assignment was to take average purses and turn them into artwork.
I wanted to give my clutch artistic expression, yet retain chicness. I crimped pieces of gold aluminum, and placed them in an order to form a gold carnation.

A Work in Progress

Mask Assignment

Finished 11/4/09

I inscribed a Gaelic symbol into my mask, meaning "guardian." I wanted to portray a "guardian of the forest," an elf or a faerie. As a finish I used oxides, water colors, and stains.

Box Assignment

Spring 2009
The spiral and Curve design was carved down and then in lade with peacock blue under glaze. I applied the pink, blue, and purple under glazes on the petals with a water color technique and applied clear glaze for the gloss.

Philosophy of Time

Fall 2008
This piece was one my Emerging Artist's entries. I tried to mimic the appearance of old, worn books. I used Red and Blueish under glazes with a clear gloss glaze, and brown slip with clear gloss finish. Most importantly I smudged black under glaze for the worn feel.

Hard Slab Vase

Wacky Vase:

Spring 2008

I wanted this vase to be distorted and have curves and movement. One of the criterias for the assignment was to give the piece a texture, however, I only textured half of the vase and carved down the negative space leaving one side completely smooth. The contrast reminded me of Ying and Yang.

Light Box Assignment

Wind and Water:

Spring 2008

I created this in my sculpture class. This piece has a variation of influences. Most importantly I was trying to emphasize god-like power. The woman blowing the winds and the hands tilting the vase containing the waters of the earth reminded me of the depictions on greek pots. Consequently I was listening to the The Yellow Submarine by The Beatles while I was drawing this scene, and decided to use a hot air ballon to emphasize the wind and a sail boat to emphasize the waves.