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

Sweeping clouds covering the sky. With some enchanting flickering “firefly” installations courtesy of Sprint. A beautiful morning for reflection… and bike reflections!

A few minutes later…. the sky was getting bluer and the “globes” seemed a little warmer.

Still a lot of clouds in the sky. And yet there was still hope of a beautiful sunrise.
Sadly… no go. Close, but not quite…

Instead, I got some really cool bike reflections along the lake’s edge.

More clouds. More potential. A window of opportunity that never quite lined up.

 

Categories: art fair, artists, creativity, friends, My Talented Friends

We’re just a week away from ART IN THE GARDEN… and it looks like
“My Talented Friends” metalsmith Amy Taylor & ceramic artist Cory McCrory
are working together on something special. Can’t wait to see the Big Reveal next weekend!

ART IN THE GARDEN : Saturday, September 12th & Sunday, September 13th.

Categories: creativity, inspiration, YouTube

Just a quick diversion… and a nice segue for the next blog post…
Sure his bubbles may be a bit more dramatic & fun. But I can guarantee
that MY bubbles will be around a lot longer than his will be!

Click here to see the YouTube video.

Categories: classes, creativity, glaze, pottery

One of my students was thrilled to find her pot on the Student Show-Off Shelves.
It was an experiment of glazing with bubbles! Thanks to Dave & Will for introducing this new technique… which has now become “all the rage.”

Congrats Katie!!! Your bowl looks fantastic!

FYI… Full blog post to come… hold your horses…

Categories: creativity, inspiration

Gotta love some good old fashioned letterpress blocks…
especially when they’re sending out a great message too!

Thanks Scott for sharing. You know I have a whole box of letters at home waiting
for the “perfect” project. Like I need another “project”?!

Wait, does that mean I’m NOT carpe diem-ing???

Categories: cirque du soleil, creativity, inspiration, music, special events

Just the sight of the big yellow & blue tents make me giddy!
And knowing that we’re going in for another wonderful Cirque du Soleil experience is even better!!! Tonight was my adventure under the Big Top for the latest touring show by Cirque du Soleil… KURIOS : Cabinet des Curiosities.

By now you may have realized that I’m kind of a Cirque du Soleil groupie… or junkie… or stalker?! I love all things Cirque. Can’t get enough. I’ve seen all of the shows that traveled through Chicago. I’ve seen the shows in Las Vegas. I’ve traveled to other cities to see them. I’ve even worked for them for two shows (Varekai & Dralion). So imagine my excitement with a new traveling show here in Chicago… after a far-too-long absence of four years!!!

Inside the tent, the stage is a dark & moody place. Lots of contraptions, inventions and mish-mashes of things & textures. It doesn’t take long before you realize that this is most likely going to take on a “steampunk” vibe. And who doesn’t like steampunk?!!!

The show was wonderful. Lots of amazing feats… and some “usual” circus acts you’ve seen before yet with that whimsical Cirque twist!!

The music for this show is also a lot of fun. Very upbeat & bouncy. Especially the first number where you get to “meet” the cast of characters. I always love seeing how they incorporate all of the athletic performances with the live musicians & singers. Loved the juggler & drummer duo interaction!

Congratulations & Thank You Cirque du Soleil… you’ve done it again!!!
And I’ll be back again next Wednesday evening with my niece Taylor!

Grab yourself some tickets if you can.
They’re scheduled to be in town through September 20th.
And then the tents come down and the “magic” disappears from Chicago!

Categories: creativity

After my morning ride, I went out to the front porch to water the plants. When I turned to go back in, I was struck with the wonderful contrast & composition of the glittering glass spiral and the shadow it is casting upon a handmade birdhouse.

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Categories: creativity

I was caught off guard this morning by the “new security system” in the garage behind my courtyard!!!

Sure, it’s just a normal stuffed animal…
but I must admit it did make me do a double-take!

Categories: bike, Chicago, creativity, nature

Beautiful day today in Chicago.
And a wonderful bike ride to work out some of my Triathlon kinks from yesterday.
Love when you find random acts of creativity along the way.

Categories: artists, creativity, inspiration

Another wonderful video of Korean master potters at work. It shows the entire process from decorating, carving, glazing, loading the kiln, unloading and admiring. The only part it doesn’t show is the initial throwing of the vessel… or any sort of mirth, merriment or Oreo’s?!!! That must be what I’m doing wrong?!…

Click here for the “Icheon Masters” video on Vimeo.