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

Early morning “slip dip” for the latest batch of hybrid mugs. Adding some colored flashing slips to the textured “handbuilt” portion… which will change colors during a future soda firing! Just a little “clean-up” needed first…

Categories: flowers

Today’s dahlia… so excited for a new & different first bloom
from another one of the dahlia plants out in my front street garden!

Categories: bike, sunrise

With an overwhelming amount of clouds overtaking the sky this morning, I had little hope of seeing ANY sunrise at all … I even contemplated going back to bed without a hope a good sunrise… HA!!! Instead I sucked it up… put on my helmet & headed out the door. Clouds, clouds & more clouds. It was a very welcome surprise towards the end of my ride when the clouds dissipated just enough for a brief, but beautiful skyshow. So glad I decided to go for that ride this morning!!!

Categories: hybrid mugs, production, textures

Handles attached… they are now “officially“ mugs! Hybrid mugs both wheelthrown & handbuilt. Using both techniques throughout the process. Just need to add some colored flashing slip tomorrow & then they can start drying.

Categories: hybrid mugs, process, production

It’s been a productive afternoon… and now I’m adding pulled handles to the hybrid mugs. Score, slip, attach, repeat… repeat… repeat…

Categories: hybrid mugs, process, production, textures

Trimming the bottoms on my newest batch of hybrid mugs. The bottoms are wheelthrown, the sides are handbuilt, and then shaped & finished in the wheel. Back & forth… and back & forth. You know I love trimming… AND a nice clean footring!

Categories: weather, workout

Crashing waves AND submerged rocks???…
yet ANOTHER reason for me not to be swimming!!!
Like I need another excuse.

Categories: bike, sunrise

With a nice collection of clouds, the morning sky was colorful & dramatic. With the wind blowing in off the lake & the waves back along the shoreline… portions of the ride were a bit tougher than normal. But the tailwind sections were great fun! Another great start to another great day!

Categories: television

So while I’m in the studio all day today… I needed something fun to binge on TV. So why not go back to one of the best SURVIVOR seasons ever – Season 16 Micronesia!

Oh, how I love “old school” Survivor… and this season is “Fans vs. Favorites.” So we have some great returning players including my all-time favorite Parvati… plus Cirie, Eliza, Ozzy, Ami, James, Amanda & Jonny Fairplay! Lest not forget “ice cream scooper” Eric… who comes in as a Fan, but leaves as possibly the stupidest player EVER!!! Thanks to the “Black Widow Brigade.” I’m only a couple episodes in… but it making me very happy to be stuck in the studio working!!! Bring on the challenges. Bring on the Tribal Councils. I’m here for all of it!!!

Categories: mugs, process, production

Just finished trimming this batch of mugs. Next up?… pulling & adding handles to make them truly mugs!!! Because I’m a firm believer that a mug must have a handle! Otherwise it’s just a cup!!!