Clay sculpture cannot be rushed. Hours of careful work, over a period of weeks to facilitate proper drying, are necessary to bring a thought, feeling, or idea to life in the form of fired clay.
This student worked for approximately 30 hours to create this beautiful Cocker Spaniel. The picture does not do it justice: There are pads on the underside of the raised paw, and the little black nose has is highly realistic, comple with cleft nostrils. It was her first piece; she certainly has something to smile about.
To create fired clay sculpture is to connect with an ancient form of art that spans the globe and many cultures. Works in fired clay have lasted thousands of years. What does it tell us? What will we tell others though our art, which may outlive us? 
This student is holding her second piece, an African Penguin. Note the greater command of the medium in contrast to the previous lovely clay Teddy. The glaze and underglaze markings are also far more complex, and highly accurate for this species.