Gary Jackson: Fire When Ready Pottery
A Chicago potter’s somewhat slanted view of clay & play
Categories: flowers, garden

More than a little rain as I pedaled through my morning ride. Not much of a sunrise to speak of. Just lots of clouds… and some rain towards the end of my ride. Happy to be greeted by these lilies in the garden across the street when I got home. All of us wet.

Categories: bike

I started out with a slim shred of hope for a dramatic sunrise with all of these clouds! Turned out there were just too many… and they were apparently RAIN clouds. As I pedaled a few miles in the rain as I headed home. Not too bad… kind of refreshing after the week-long heatwave we just finished!

Categories: kiln firing, process, production, studio

Just a few more pieces fresh from my bisque kiln to glaze quickly…
as I load the soda kiln tomorrow night after Summer Camp!
I fire all-day Saturday… so I’ve got to stay focused and get this done!!! Inlay glazes into the stamped impressions, liner glazes, clean, wad & ready to go!

Categories: kiln firing
Categories: glaze, process, production

Tenmoku glaze inlaid into the stamped impressions on these flower pots. I paint the glaze on… and then wipe off the top surface so the glaze stays only in the impressions!

Categories: bowls, food

After my first “post-quarantine” Farmer’s Market yesterday… masks, sanitizing spray when entering, contactless shopping, social distancing & more sanitizing spray when leaving… I found myself with a couple new cheeses & these Ranier Cherries! So I had to clean them well… and what better way than in a nice handmade berry bowl!!!

If you need a new berry bowl, there are a few still left in my Online Pottery Shop… click here… http://firewhenreadypottery.com/my-online-pottery-store/

Categories: process, production, stamped, tools, vases

Okay, so I just “had to” crank out a last-minute batch of mini bud vases! If I’ve planned correctly, these little cutie patooties will “just barely” make it into this weekend’s soda kiln!!! And yes, smaller pots do get smaller stamps… and I do still trim everything! Even if they’re teeny-tiny!

Gotta LOVE a good spinnin’ Giffin Grip!!!

Categories: garden, totem pole

Another totem pole finds it’s new home!

My friend Chris finally got around to having her new totem pole installed into her front yard! It looks pretty great standing as a sentinel to greet guests surrounded by her blooming flower bed!

Categories: bike, sunrise

Dark calico colored clouds this morning made for a dramatic bike ride. Still warm & humid without much a breeze. I will say I kinda had low expectations for today’s sunrise… but I was proven wrong. It turned out to be STUNNING!!!… especially after a long run of cloud-free mornings!

Categories: classes, lillstreet

Tonight kicks-off my return to teaching at Lillstreet Art Center!!!
They’ve re-opened and I’m so excited to see people back at the wheel, getting messy & sloppy, having fun in the clay!!! It’s been far too long… and it’s going to be great to have the Lillstreet Community coming back together again… even if it is with new rules, guidelines and a LOT of social-distancing. Yep, that’s going to be a new challenge for all of us!