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

10×10 : It was a busy morning trimming & making things “festive” in the studio.
More than ten done by 10:00am!!!

Categories: process, production

Just a little detailing & decorating… and they’re looking a lot more festive!!!

Categories: glaze, process, production, The Ghouls Collection

Putting the finishing touches on… a layer of clear glaze. Starting with the interiors & bottoms. The exteriors will be sprayed to cover with the shiny clear glaze… which when applied looks strangely like chocolate chip mint ice cream?!

Categories: process, production, The Ghouls Collection

Fun in the studio earlier this week trying to get these Ghouls finished.
Great colors & coverage with Amaco Velvet Underglazes.

Categories: process, production, terra cotta, The Ghouls Collection

Base coat of underglaze colors… already looking better!
Gotta add more color… say it three times!!! … Underglaze. Underglaze. Underglaze.

Categories: process, production, stamped, vases

At one point last session, one of my “advanced beginning” students requested a demo on making a moon jar… well, there’s no lid… so it’s more like a spherical vase. We made one in class, and I was kind of enamored by it. So I made a few more!!! Thanks Allison for the request & inspiration!!!

Categories: color, process, The Ghouls Collection

Excited that I pre-purchased my new Amaco Underglazes in some fun colors…
so I can paint the newest Ghoul to really bring them to life… err, well maybe after-life?!!!

Categories: process, production

With all my focus on the Ghouls lately… I totally forgot to post about these! A batch of new birdhouses for ART IN THE BARN. Assembled & painted with colored flashing slips for the soda kiln.

Wanna see ‘em finished?… posting that next!!!

Categories: kiln firing, process

Okay, so here’s some of “glamorous side” of being a potter. Sure, it’s great fun to make the pots. But everyone forgets about all of the heavy busy-work that goes on behind the scenes. I was pondering this tonight as I was busy cleaning the soda kiln after my recent firing. Removing all of the shelves & posts, scraping the shelves, kiln washing them all (my least favorite part)… plus the sweeping & mopping!!! At least I got some beautiful pots out of it all. Ha!!!

Categories: process, terra cotta, The Ghouls Collection

Apparently this year’s new Ghoul started with an idea, a doodle & a bottle cap!!!