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

In addition to my piñata cupcakes… our “real” baker Martin also celebrated CAKE WEEK with yummy slices of his coconut & mango cake! Cute in its individual box… but better presentation points when I took it home! Homemade food always tastes better on handmade pottery!

Categories: classes, food, television

Last night in class we once again “celebrated” the next baker booted out of “The Great American Baking Show.” Our own baker Martin survived another episode… but sadly Jon was sent home after making this cute piñata cake. And since he was “my player” in the game… it was my turn to bring in treats based on Jon’s baking endeavors!!!

Categories: color, food

Tonight in my studio there was a “sweet” explosion of color as I tried to finish the “piping” before class started! It was my week to celebrate the “loser” of CAKE WEEK… more to come!

Categories: production, wheelthrowing

Finally getting around to throwing some small “drip plates” for my newest batch of berry bowls. Made enough to fill my whole wedging table!!! Hoping to speed these through trimming, drying, firing, glazing & firing in time to have them at my upcoming art fairs… coming up in just two weeks!!! Yikes!!!

Categories: clay, process, production

Here we go… wedged & ready to get busy!!!

Categories: art fair, artists

Not a lot of finished artworks at the Shepherds Festival… more supplies for the crafters. But we did kinda like these little wall hangings… I assume they must be woven, felted, stitched, beaded and who knows what else? All affixed to a piece of weathered barn board… which I’m always into!!!

Categories: color, textures

Tons of textures & colors at the Shepherds Harvest Festival. Lots to look at… even more to touch & feel. Such a tactile explosion for those of us who tend to touch everything! Lots of wool & yarns… but also some things I never thought I’d see?! Like the last photo… fish skin leathers!!!

Categories: animals

This Saturday morning before returning to the Pottery Tour, I met up with two of my students who were also touring. But we made a little “detour” to the “Shepherds Harvest : Sheep & Wool Festival” on the way up from the Twin Cities. There were all kinds of sheep, a few llamas & sheep… and plenty of people shopping for wool, yarn & felting supplies! Very fun, but we kinda stood out like a sore thumb… as we’re pottery people… NOT sheep people!!!

And our new best friend… who rocked the llama hat better than Katie!!!

Categories: clay

While in Minneapolis, early Saturday morning I went over to Continental Clay to pick-up my order. Ed was waiting for me on the loading dock… ready to load my car with two kinds of clay! Lots of boxes spread evenly… weighing down the car! So nice of Paula & Ed to schedule a Saturday pick-up for me while the store is only open Monday-Friday!

Categories: artists, porcelain, pottery, sgraffito, surface decoration

And you can’t really call it “a collection” with just ONE… so… this little sweetie came home too!!! Such amazing sgraffito line-work on such a small piece of porcelain pottery. Just for the record, this little pot is only 2.5-inches tall. Another AMAZING piece from Becky Lloyd from North Carolina… and already thinking about what might piece join these two next year?!