Well...they weren't supposed to be "flaming flamingos" but since I do not have kiln at my school I have to bake my clay in the ovens. For some reason...one of the ovens was not working properly and my flamingos began burning...smoking...and yes at 2:59 pm just as students are getting on buses, lining up, going in 75 directions...yes, you guessed it. I set off the school fire alarm. :) Happy Days! (see part of the burned flamingo below). Needless to say the next day, yours truly won the Flaming Flamingo Award at school. 
On a serious note...my students have LOVED these. We began learning about 2 artist and their works. Audubon & Calder. I showed my students this you tube clip that gave them more information on John James Audubon. http://youtu.be/7gozLgMAq38
We looked at some of his art work and I asked them to be listening for answers to guided questions about the clip to give them a purpose for watching the piece. For example, Why does the lady have white gloves on in the video? How often do they turn the pages in the book? How many pieces did Audubon create?
Next we compared Calder's Flamingo Sculpture to Audubon's work. Before they created their sculptures we need to know more about flamingos...so we read the book For Pete's Sake (see below) and did a labeling writing art piece to go along with our sculptures. Finally we were ready for the clay. You can see the steps below. Next week we are adding final touches, possibly a feather coming out the back...I just cant decide if I like it or not and glazing. 
Fold the head backwards and press to make the beak.
Pinch the tush to make the flamingo's pointed body. Use 2 long skinny sticks for the legs and create a solid base for the flamingo to stand on.
I love this project! I had a few questions: is this regular clay or oven bake clay (which I found at my local craft store), also how do you glaze without a kiln? I just assumed I would use an acrylic paint, but if there is another way...
ReplyDeleteSadly, I do not have a kiln in my room, so this is oven baked Sculpey clay that I purchased from Dick Blick. You can use acrylic or even tempra. I bought tiny jars of Sculpey glaze (it's a thick clear liquid) that we layered over our dry paint to use as our glaze.
ReplyDeleteWhat kind of sticks do you use for the legs?
ReplyDeleteJennifer I used SOLON wooden Dowel sticks #359. They were a scrap donation and they were perfect.
ReplyDeleteI teach regular fired ceramics for adults and children. Sometimes for camps, parties or other events where firing clay is just not practical, I really like air dry clay. This is not the kids clay you purchase in most art stores but a real natural clay body that has a few additives to make it dry without firing in a kiln. You can decorate it immediately with acrylic paint. If you let it dry for 24 - 48 hours it can also be decorated with oil pastels and watercolors. This combination is just wonderful. Most places that sell regular potters clay will offer this type of air dry clay body in either red, brown or white.
ReplyDelete