An empty soda kiln full of potential. Just getting ready for the start of my three-day SODA-FIRING WORKSHOP at Lillstreet Art Center. Tonight we’ll learn about soda-firing, glaze, wad & load this kiln. Tomorrow we fire and then they come back next week to unload and find their treasures!

Getting ready for tonight’s SODA-FIRING WORKSHOP at Lillstreet. My students will be bringing their own bisque to glaze, wad & load tonight. I am glazing up some of my own work as “kiln filler” in case they don’t have enough work to fill the kiln. It’s always tough to estimate the amount of work going into the kiln load. Some of my workshop students have never soda-fired or even been to Lillstreet before… so it will be an interesting mix tonight, and I just want to have a back-up plan ready in case they don’t bring enough work!!!

Spent the afternoon teaching a soda-firing class subbing for Levi today. It was a great group, but it was kinda killing me to see bright blue skies through the studio skylights… mocking me to go play outside! Luckily, we all got to “celebrate” NATIONAL OREO COOKIE DAY with single serving packets that I brought for them to take home!!!

So it looks like the Spring Session of classes just opened for online registration at Lillstreet Art Center. I will be teaching three evening classes… including my usual Monday Advanced Wheelthrowing & Tuesday Beginning Wheelthrowing classes.

NEW FOR SPRING… I will also be teaching a Surface Decoration Class on Thursday evenings where we’ll focus on a different technique each week. My goal is that we can do some great interactive demos & class projects each week where everyone actual tries each technique on their own work!

Sign-up quick… Lillstreet in-person classes are still limited to eight students, socially-distanced & fully-masked due to pandemic protocols. Be safe… stay masked… and come get muddy with us this Spring!!!

More natural textures still dusted with a bit of snow
at Lillstreet Art Center… perfect for a little Texture Tuesday!

Preparing to teach my morning Wheelthrowing class under beautiful blue skies through the Lillstreet skylights.

Looking to find a little more zen & calm in your 2021???…
don’t forget a new session of pottery classes start next week at Lillstreet Art Center. My Beginning & Intermediate classes are already full, but there is still space in my Advanced Wheelthrowing class on Thursday mornings from 10:00am-1:00pm. Click on the link if you want to improve your skills, streamline your techniques, or just relax & get muddy with us starting next week!

Click here – Advanced Wheelthrowing classes!

Looking for something fun to do this New Year?!
Push yourself & play with your clay!!!

Registration is open for THE GREAT LILLSTREET THROWDOWN – season four!!! Based on the BBC reality show, this class is for intermediate & advanced potters who want to jump-start the New Year. Creative projects, challenges, contests & races to keep it challenging & fun for everyone!!! Click on the link below to sign-up for this Thursday night class at Lillstreet Art Center… always one of my favorite classes to teach!

Click here – THE GREAT LILLSTREET THROWDOWN

Registration opened today for the Winter 2021 session at Lillstreet Art Center. I will be teaching four different classes… for ALL levels of potters! Beginning, Intermediate, Advanced and my favorite… The Great Lillstreet Throwdown!!! Click on the link below to sign-up… as spaces will fill quickly since they’re still limiting classes to eight students again for effective social-distancing… with plenty of safety measure, hand sanitizers & full masks required!

Click here to register for Lillstreet classes!

Another beautiful day in Chicago. The sun was shining, the sky bright blue and some of the honey locust trees on the side of Lillstreet are still in full golden splendor. I taught class this morning and worked in the studio all afternoon… but that doesn’t mean you can’t sneak out for a quick break now & again, right?!