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

So we’re all set-up… and getting ready to open the doors!? “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS” is going live!!

Three days of fun at Space 900 Gallery in Evanston. We hope that some of you will be able to make it over to see us & the art pieces we’ve been working on during the cold months of Winter! Perhaps even treat yourself to a little art… or maybe a gift for someone else!!! Plenty to see… all handmade one-of-a-kind pieces!

Space 900 Gallery – 816 Dempster Street, Evanston, Illinois

Friday, February 28th – 2:00pm-8:00pm
Saturday, March 1st – 10:00am-8:00pm
Sunday, March 2nd – Noon – 4:00pm

Categories: rusty, soda-fired, stamped, textures, tiles

A quick peek at my new textured tiles in rusty metal frames for the “4×4” gallery show. Handmade & soda-fired tiles. A perfect combo in my world… you know how much I love textured AND rusty metal!!!

Categories: soda-fired, stamped, textures

With tons of textured, inlaid glazes, sprayed glazes & soda-firing effects… these “tiles” were all wired together to create my newest “tile tapestry.” Now hanging at the “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS” show this weekend. Lots of details & textures to see & feel… you’ll notice something new every time you see it!

And once again, a shout-out to MKM Pottery Tools for making textured handrollers with such a wide range of textures & patterns! Love ’em!!!

Categories: art fair, color, stamped, textures, tiles

And a few close-up shots so you can see a few of the details, textures & bling!!!
Shades of blue… hence the theme… “Interpretations of Blue.”

Categories: collaborations, color, patterns, stamped, textures

Last, but not least…these are MY four pieces for the collaboration… “Interpretations of Blue.” Not surprisingly, I went with a lot of textures… and a more than a few tiles. Although these tiny textured tiles are smaller than I’ve ever made before! Finished in shades of blue, a few metallic accents & a tiny bit of bling if you very closely!!!

Just. finding more ways to make cool patterns with my MKM Pottery Tools handrollers. You know I “loves me” some cool textures!

Categories: art fair, artists, collaborations

Gallery Opening tomorrow!!! Hard to believe it’s finally here!

“4×4″ : FOUR MAKERS” is this weekend. Three show days in Space 900 Gallery in Evanston. Not only will each of the four artists be displaying their own individual work… but we’ll also have a special group collaboration project on display. We’ve all worked on our own interpretation of “blue” inside the beautiful wooden frames handmade by Meghann. Sixteen frames of blue. I can’t wait to see them all together this weekend!

Categories: flower pots, flowers, garden

Another “floral surprise” today… my Thanksgiving Cactus has decided to bloom all over again?! This is the exact same cactus plant that was in full bloom for my Holiday Home Show back in November!!! Guess it got tired of just sitting around being green? Time to show off a bit!!! And again… I think it’s all about the handmade flower pot that keeps the plant happy. Just sayin’…

Categories: flower pots, flowers, garden

Look who decided to pop open & greet the day today! My first re-blooming orchid of the season! Hopefully a few more orchids will start blooming in the weeks to come. Always fun to have an old orchid re-bloom at home… I’m sure it’s the handmade flower pot that makes the difference!

Categories: process, soda-fired, stamped, textures, tiles

And here’s a little preview of how I think these textured tiles are going to lay-out. Trying to mix them all up evenly… “forced random” as I like to call it. There might be some changes along the way… but for now I need to start wiring it all together!

Categories: soda-fired, stamped, textures, tiles

Textured tiles after soda-firing… getting ready to lay them out to create a wall hanging
tapestry for “4×4 : FOUR MAKERS”. Gotta get them all put together so they can hang
on the wall of Space 900 in just three days!!!

Also loving the mix of textures from using my favorite handrollers from MKM Pottery Tools!