Profile and Portfolio

Mary Clare Jakes
Artist Statement
My first pottery classes were at the University of Illinois while getting my bachelor’s degree in geology. I sometimes wonder where my life would have led if I had changed my major from Geology to Ceramics back then. I continued on with a career as a petroleum exploration geologist for ten years, and then was in social services for the next 14. Throughout this time I continued to take classes through community colleges, with experienced potters and at many workshops. Although I have tried many other craft forms, I kept returning to pottery. I find it is always variable and that is interesting to me. Opening a kiln is like Christmas. I am always excited to see what this round of firing has done.
Six years ago, we built a studio at our home in Waukegan. I didn’t get to play in the mud as a child so now I am in my studio, Play In the Mud, as often as I can.
Being in my studio gives me a sense of peace and calm with time passing unmeasured. Creating in clay provides a physical expression of my efforts – a different view of the many other activities in my life. I enjoy making functional pottery, taking quirks in the throwing process to stretch my imagination in form and design.
My hand built pieces preserve an old craft, handmade lace, into a more permanent, colorful form. I call this decorative functional work. The pieces are often hung on the wall but the glazes are food-safe so the piece can be used for food preparation and serving. The pieces are dishwasher and microwave safe.
I often do consignment work, taking one’s own lace and creating pieces from that source. The lace is not destroyed in the process.