Hand Built Whimsical Houses

Seventh Grade art students were given the challenge of creating a curved whimsical 

house out of clay. 

Students created a sketch of their house then, worked on the cardstock template.  

I instructed students to build their house first, out of the cardstock and tape together.  

Once the house was built, the walls were numbered and dismantled. Clay was wedged then, rolled out and ready to trace and cut. Details such as: windows, and brick texture were added when wet. Pieces were "set-up" to a leather-hard consistency then, assembled. Coils were used to join together. Students smooth out the adjoining walls.  After pieces were dry they were bisque fired.

Grace placed First at GVCS Art 

Festival and B.O.S. at ACSI Art Festival!

Amaco Artist's Choice low-fire glazes were used to give texture to the houses.  Students were instructed to "stain" the bricks.  Stroke-and-Coat glazes were used in the inside of the house. 

Houses cooling in the kiln

The colors of the glazes really make these pieces stand out! It added so much texture and depth.  These glazes also have a nice application for student use.  I can't wait to try other specialized glazes from Amaco!  

Mary chose to use Seafoam

green on the face and Iron Saturate

on the sides.