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Art at Home: Salt Dough Pottery

Ceramics artist Ron Meyers is known for his whimsical approach to creating utilitarian pottery. “Utilitarian” means “useful.” Meyers’ pottery takes the shape of items we use every day. He thinks making art is “every day seeking something new. Trying something different every day.” Some of his creative influences include Pablo Picasso,  Marc Chagall and Japanese ceramic traditions. What do you notice about this work of art? Do any specific artists come to mind when you look at it? 

Meyers’ signature style features animals and people etched or molded into pottery forms. Can you find the unhappy or confused rabbit included in this jar? Why do you think the artist chose to include animals in his art?

In this activity, you’ll create salt dough and use it to make pottery.

Ron Meyers (American, b. 1934), lidded jar, n.d. Ceramic, 11 1/4 × 9 5/8 inches. Georgia Museum of Art, University of Georgia; Gift of Lucy Allen and Peggy Galis. GMOA 2007.15.

 

For this activity you will need:

  • 2 cups flour
  • 1 cup salt
  • 1 cup water
  • bowls
  • spoon
  • toothpick or sculpting tool
  • food coloring (optional)
  •  paintbrush
  • acrylic paint
  • plastic wrap or newspaper (optional)
  • cup (optional)

To Make Your Salt Dough:

  1. Mix salt, flour and water in a bowl until it starts to feel like play-dough. Knead for 5 minutes or until the dough is a good working consistency. Add food coloring if you want the dough to be a different color.
  2. Form the dough into a ball and poke your thumb in the middle to start the pot. Gently pinch the edges, moving in a circle around the edges of the pot, until you achieve your desired shape.
  3. To make the pot more cup-like, cover a cup in newspaper or plastic wrap. Then gently press the dough around the cup, starting with the base and moving down the sides.
  4. Try using the remaining dough to make figures of animals. You can attach them to your pot or keep them separate.
  5. It should take your pieces around one day to dry. Once they have, think about your favorite animals and pets. Paint pictures of them on your pot using acrylic paint or carve the design in with a toothpick.