About My Work

     Much like putting two contrasting colors together brightens them, my work uses the different contexts and aesthetics of contrasting clay bodies, surfaces, and processes to highlight various aspects of each. Conceptually and chemically stoneware and porcelain are wildly different - yet both have equal quality. The use of different processes, such as press molding and slip casting, and various surfaces, glazes and raw, allows me to develop the differences between clays even more. 

     My work's design centers around aspects of architecture. Archways, flying buttresses, and foundations as well as building materials like lumber, I-Beams, and metal sheeting all influence the design of my ceramic pottery. Using Nichrome wire imbedded in the clay, I can achieve architectural aspects that would otherwise be unobtainable through clay.

     Along side concept and design, experimentation a material testing play an integral part in my work. Developing testing formats and formulation clays and glazes allows me complete control over my work. 

     While my work utilizes various aspects of clay, it focuses on the idea of functionality. Questions such as the definition of a handle or lid, as well as what aspects of those can be or should be altered. Could merging a trivet to the base of a tea cup to keep heat off or furniture? Must a handle be on the side of a cup?

Online Presence

Project Goals:

1. Create a fully functioning, complete, and elegantly designed artist website
2. Develop a knowledge base on how to approach the web as an artist
3. Gain experience with self promotion (digital and print)
4. Find a personal design base and develop a "brand"

Desired Accomplishments:

1. A complete website
2. A complete portfolio book
3. A finalized Business Card

Target Audience:

     The desired audience for my website and branding would be anyone interest in the ceramic arts, either as a consumer or collector or as an artist themselves. I want my presence to be easily found and easily accessible to anyone who may or may not know what they are looking for.

Desired Expression:

     I want to express in my portfolio a high level of expertise and skill in the ceramic medium. In regards to my website I want to express a high level of professionalism - however I want to be approachable (emailable).

Organization:

     Organization of the website and portfolio should be intuitive and user friendly, while looking sophisticated. Information regarding each particular work should be available in conjunction with the work.

Blog Specs

Fonts:
Page Text: Gruppo - 15px - bold
Header: Syncopate - 36px - bold
Tabs: Gruppo - 15px - bold
Post Titles: Syncopate - 15px - bold

Hex Colors:
Outer Background: Transparent
Post Background: #ffffff
Header Background: #19e3ff
Page Text: #000000

Biography

Slip cast porcelain and Press molded stoneware Teaset

    Michael Cerv is a functional ceramic potter currently enrolled in the Kansas City Art Institute Ceramics program. Cerv's work focuses on developing contrast through different clays, processes, and surfaces. Ceramics has given Cerv the freedom to experiment while also producing wares that ware easily sellable. Cerv also uses 3-D modeling and digital drawing to produce designs and decoration for his work using programs such as Rhino, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop.

    Cerv strives to become a figure known for his knowledge of ceramic materials, through experimentation, and an educator in the field. Cerv wishes to share the joy ceramics has given to him through by education others. He actively teaches kids wheel throwing classes alongside attending school.