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

Cute little flowers in a cute little vase. This little bouquet smalls amazing… but sadly, the Lily-Of-The-Valley season is quickly drawing to an end. Enjoy them while you can smell them!!!

Categories: bike, sunrise

A quiet start to a shortened week. Serene sunrise reflections with just a few clouds playing in the sky. A great way to start our four-day work week… except for those of us that have an art fair next weekend… which makes it a SIX-DAY work week for me!!!

Categories: classes, glaze, surface decoration

So last week during my SURFACE DECORATION class, my students got their glaze test pieces back from the kiln! The week before we focused on some “different” glazing techniques… and I encouraged them to try something new that they’ve never done before. They’re always hesitant to try new things on their own pieces… so I actually gave them some bisqued cylinders that I made for them ahead of time to play on! Overall, I think they all liked the results… learning some new tricks along the way. I kind of wish we had used a bit more glaze on a few of them that were looking for some good glaze drips running down the sides… not enough glaze, not much of a drip!

Categories: classes, sgraffito, surface decoration

After the class discussion & demo about sgraffito, my SURFACE DECORATION class set-off to decorate their own pieces. The goal was to get crisp clean lines & patterns carved through the dark layer of slip or underglaze to reveal the lighter clay body. They really enjoyed using my collection of DiamondCore Carving Tools to get some crisp & clean carving lines. The perfect way to let their creative expressions reveal themselves!

Categories: food, friends, platters

Looks like Rosene & Gerry are enjoying a fine morning breakfast… on some fine dinnerware! Homemade food always tastes better on handmade pottery!

Categories: art fair

A huge THANK YOU to every one who came out this weekend to the Schaumburg Prairie Arts Festival. It was a great kick-off for my summer art fair season. We had incredible weather… and it was so much fun to see everyone coming out to enjoy some art & time in the sun! If you missed out… be sure to stop by one of my upcoming art fairs! Like the Hinsdale Fine Arts Festival next weekend!

Categories: holiday
Categories: stamped, vases

Simple floral arrangements… ikebana vases turn a few stems into a statement.
Handmade ceramic discs perfectly frame your flowers!

Categories: art fair

All ready for Day Two of the SCHAUMBURG PRAIRIE ARTS FESTIVAL. Shelves have been restocked, the weather is still perfect, the sky is still blue… and the fountain is still running! C’mon by Booth 17 until 5:00pm!

Categories: art fair, bowls, food

Always fun to see where your pottery goes… I suggested ice cream
but Johnna apparently had other ideas!

From Johnna… “Instead of eating salad out of my new favorite bowl tonight, I made the best looking guacamole! I’ve looked at your work for a few years at the Schaumburg art fair and so glad I finally pulled the trigger today. Thank you!”