Discovery is defined as the action of finding something unexpectedly or in the course of a search. This being my second semester of advanced ceramics I have found that my theme of discovery is more prevalently upheld in the second half of the term's definition, in which it means to find something in the course of a direct search rather than unexpectedly. Last semester I was unexpectedly finding qualities about the art of ceramics and my projects. This semester however, I have begun an intentional search for a challenge; the challenge that comes with educating oneself with the particular qualities and characteristics of successful, meaningful art. In the past semesters I have become accustomed to my own strengths and weaknesses as an artist and I felt that the next step in improving my artistic capabilities was through the challenge of educating my self in how to improve my art in a meaningful, effective, and successful manner.

To demonstrate the challenges that I have successfully put my self up against and learned from, I am going to use a couple of my projects that I feel I have learned a valuable lesson from. The projects that I am using include four mugs (all uniquely deviating from one another in style), a pitcher, one plate, 5 or 6 vases, and a bowl. I may have other pieces to add to my presentation once they have been entirely finished as well. 

All of my projects this year have been wheel thrown pieces of art, and a large majority of them have been hand altered or been made into a project with attachments that have been slipped and scored onto the wheel thrown part. Individually each piece was made differently, but there are prevalent artistic themes throughout my projects including a pattern in the glaze techniques and colors used throughout my art, as well as some reoccurring motifs of flowers and leaves within some of my hand carved projects. 

Some of the particular challenges that I have sent out to teach myself throughout this semester include the ability to use a glaze, or combination of glazes, successfully in order to properly emphasize and compliment the shape and body of a project, as well as how to alter a wheel thrown project in such a way that I accentuate the form and dimensions of a project. This includes learning how to transition from the rudimentary linear forms of wheel altering to learning how to successfully accomplish using three dimensional shapes to emphasize a three dimensional project. 

Having the ability to challenge one's self to become more educated on the technical qualities and characteristics of art, and particularly ceramics in this situation, demonstrates a profound desire not only to become a better artists and improve the quality of one's art, but also to be able to understand how to successfully analyze other art forms and recognize these same artistic qualities that help an artist efficiently portray a message or claim within their art. 

Discovery is defined as the action of finding something unexpectedly or in the course of a search. This being my second semester of advanced ceramics I have found that my theme of discovery is more prevalently upheld in the second half of the term's definition, in which it means to find something in the course of a direct search rather than unexpectedly. Last semester I was unexpectedly finding qualities about the art of ceramics and my projects. This semester however, I have begun an intentional search for a challenge; the challenge that comes with educating oneself with the particular qualities and characteristics of successful, meaningful art. In the past semesters I have become accustomed to my own strengths and weaknesses as an artist and I felt that the next step in improving my artistic capabilities was through the challenge of educating my self in how to improve my art in a meaningful, effective, and successful manner.

To demonstrate the challenges that I have successfully put my self up against and learned from, I am going to use a couple of my projects that I feel I have learned a valuable lesson from. The projects that I am using include four mugs (all uniquely deviating from one another in style), a pitcher, one plate, 5 or 6 vases, and a bowl. I may have other pieces to add to my presentation once they have been entirely finished as well. 

All of my projects this year have been wheel thrown pieces of art, and a large majority of them have been hand altered or been made into a project with attachments that have been slipped and scored onto the wheel thrown part. Individually each piece was made differently, but there are prevalent artistic themes throughout my projects including a pattern in the glaze techniques and colors used throughout my art, as well as some reoccurring motifs of flowers and leaves within some of my hand carved projects. 

Some of the particular challenges that I have sent out to teach myself throughout this semester include the ability to use a glaze, or combination of glazes, successfully in order to properly emphasize and compliment the shape and body of a project, as well as how to alter a wheel thrown project in such a way that I accentuate the form and dimensions of a project. This includes learning how to transition from the rudimentary linear forms of wheel altering to learning how to successfully accomplish using three dimensional shapes to emphasize a three dimensional project. 

Having the ability to challenge one's self to become more educated on the technical qualities and characteristics of art, and particularly ceramics in this situation, demonstrates a profound desire not only to become a better artists and improve the quality of one's art, but also to be able to understand how to successfully analyze other art forms and recognize these same artistic qualities that help an artist efficiently portray a message or claim within their art. 

I Theme
Discovery: the action of finding something unexpectedly or in the course of a search. This being my second semester of advanced ceramics I have found that my theme of discovery is more prevalently upheld in the second have of the term's definition in which it means to find something in the course of a direct search rather than unexpectedly. Last semester I was unexpectedly finding qualities about the art of ceramics and my projects. This semester however, I have begun an intentional search of a challenge; the challenge that comes with educating oneself with the particular qualities and characteristics of successful, meaningful art. In the past semesters I have become accustomed to my own strengths and weaknesses as an artist and I felt that the next step in improving my artistic capabilities was through the challenge of educating my self in how to improve my art in a meaningful, effective, and successful manner.

II What   

III How
All of my projects this year have been wheel thrown pieces of art, and a large majority of them have hand altered or been made into a project with attachments that have been slipped and scored onto the wheel thrown part. Individually each piece was made differently, but there are prevalent artistic themes throughout my projects. 

IV Why
Some of the particular challenges that I have sent out to teach myself throughout this semester include the ability to use a glaze, or combination of glazes, successfully in order to properly emphasize and compliment the shape and body of a project, as well as how to alter a wheel thrown project in such a way that I accentuate the form and dimensions of a project. This includes learning how to transition from the rudimentary linear forms of wheel altering to learning how to successfully accomplish using three dimensional shapes to emphasize a three dimensional project. 

V Conclusion 
Having the ability to challenge one's self to become more educated on the technical qualities and characteristics of art, and particularly ceramics in this situation, demonstrates a profound desire not only to become a better artists and improve the quality of one's art, but also to be able to understand how to successfully analyze other art forms and recognize these same artistic qualities that help an artist efficiently portray a message or claim within their art. 

Discovery, by definition, is the action of finding something unexpectedly or in the course of a search.

Just as my last semester in Advanced Ceramics, I have chosen to define my artistic creations in ceramics as a process of discovery. My definition of discovery, within this context, mostly means that I have taken it upon myself to challenge myself artistically be creating various shapes and forms of projects, exploring the different effects and combinations of glazes, and simply trying to expand my knowledge and experience in working with clay and creating ceramic projects.