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PROMPT: Using clay create 3D objects that represent your exploration of "cute and creepy."
What makes something or someone cute?
Does it always have something large like Eyes?
At what point does something goes from cute to creepy?
Are cute and creepy at opposite ends of a spectrum?
Process and Play
Each project began with a loose idea or feeling. I didn’t sketch out strict plans. Instead, I followed curiosity and mood. With the turtle, I wanted to build something simple and grounded. For the snow fairy, I leaned more into fantasy. My self-portrait sculpture came out of a desire to just play, to build a little figure that resembled me, but in an abstract and humorous way.
I usually began by rolling and shaping basic forms: spheres, coils, and slabs. Then I connected them with gentle scoring and a bit of water to ensure they stuck. The turtle, for example, came together through small oval pieces molded to suggest a shell and limbs.
Working with ceramics reminded me that not all art needs to be clean or polished. Sometimes it can just be weird, charming, and exploratory.
Materials Used:
Air-dry clay (Crayola brand or similar)
Small sculpting tools (sharp tips, paddles, wooden modeling tools)
Water cup and sponge (for smoothing)
Acrylic paints and Posca markers (for detail work)
Mod Podge or gloss varnish (for sealing)
Brushes of various sizes
Lesson Idea for the Classroom
Lesson Title: "Fantasy Creatures in Clay (Creepy vs. Cute).
Grade Level: Upper Elementary or Middle School
Objective: Students will explore imagination and storytelling by creating a small ceramic sculpture of an original creature.
Prompt: "Design creepy or cute creature that could live in a fantasy world. Is it based on an animal? A plant? A part of you? What does it do in its world?"
Materials: Air-dry clay, modeling tools, water, acrylic paint, brushes...
Optional Extension: Students can write a short description or story about their creature’s world, role, or personality.
This lesson centers on imaginative play, while building fine motor skills and introducing basic sculptural techniques.
Teaching Tips & Troubleshooting
Cracking: Remind students not to use too much water, as that can cause cracking. Encourage smoothing with damp fingers rather than soaking.
Drying: Allow sculptures to fully dry for 24 hours before painting.
Repairing Breaks: Small cracks or broken pieces can often be patched with fresh clay and blended in.
Clean-Up: Clay is messy! Use butcher paper or trays for each student’s workspace.
Artist Inspiration
You don’t need to show students traditional ceramic art only. Fantastical artists like Jim McKenzie, known for his imaginative and surreal sculptures, often blending clay with other materials to create eerie yet whimsical characters. Or even character-based creators like Studio Ghibli can spark ideas. Playful ceramics can be just as rich as functional ones.
Personal Reflection:
My experience with ceramics has been a mix of enjoyment and challenge. I’m drawn to the tactile nature of the medium, being able to shape it directly with my hands feels grounding and expressive. At the same time, it demands presence. Once it dries, it’s fragile, and it's not easy to go back to change or fix things. You really have to commit in the moment.
That said, I found a lot of joy in embracing playfulness through clay. I focused on imaginative, animal-based, and fantasy-themed sculptures: a snow fairy, a turtle, and even a self-portrait piece created just for fun. Ceramics, to me, doesn’t have to carry seriousness to have meaning. Its flexibility gives room to play, experiment, and build without overthinking.
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