Passing Down Pottery Knowledge
Jackie knows her way around a block of clay, having been a potter for the better part of the last 3 decades. It was in 1999 when she was visiting France and European art markets that she was first influenced by the ceramic scene.
"I knew instantly that this was the medium I wanted to work with," Jackie explains.
Upon returning to Canada, Jackie started taking pottery classes, both hand building and on the wheel.
Art and creativity has always been a part of her life, something that she incorporates into her pieces today.
"I dabbled in all sorts of art classes during my career in Human Relations. In my spare time, I took drawing and painting classes, learned about stained glass, bent willow building, crochet, sewing, photography - I was born a maker and the urge to create is embedded in me," she says.
Jackie has developed her style over the years, focusing first on clean lines and edges, but also introducing texture and unique glaze combinations. One thing you'll learn about Jackie is that she loves texture!
"I incorporate my love of texture and colour wherever I can. I use flowers from my garden to create embossing plates that I can later use in hand building. I carve my own stamps and use them to decorate the surface in unique ways," Jackie explains.
While she has lots of experience with clay and kilns, there's still lots to learn.
"I'm not afraid to experiment and fail. As hard as it has been to lose really nice pieces, it keeps me humble and makes me determined to figure out the unforgiving properties of clay. The wins are really satisfying and keeps me motivated to create more things," she says.
Inspired by the pottery teachers she learned from, Jackie teaches pottery classes at her local Cultural Centre.
"Teaching gets me out of my studio and allows me to develop new relationships. This more important part to me is to pass on the knowledge given to me from many great mentors along my clay journey. Its is so fun to watch someone that thinks they don't have natural creativity. I love to see them blossom with self confidence and be amazed at what they have accomplished," she says.
Jackie's pottery classes sell out literally within minutes, which speaks volumes about who she is as a teacher.
"My biggest teaching accomplishment has been to inspire my grandchildren and watch them create with clay in my home studio," she says.
While mugs and bowls can be purchased at any big box store, Jackie says there's something special about handmade pieces.
"Potters pour emotion into their pieces that is everlasting and therefore cared for by others. Creating allows us to leave a legacy of who we were as artists. I have pieces that my great grandmother made and even though I never met her, I feel that I know her," she says.