He was one of 36 visual artists who displayed their talents at the Warrenville Arts Council’s “Art Works ‘09” in November.
In addition to tilting bottles, he also displayed candlesticks, candy bowls, oil cans, mugs, serving dishes, plates, bowls, and Celtic crosses. He said that all his pottery pieces are soda-fired with no additional glaze on the outside.
“I put a combination of baking soda and washing powder into the kiln at 2,300 degrees, and that makes the glaze on the outside of the pieces,” he said. “It gives a unique finish to the outside of the pieces depending on the clays. Different clays will give different finishes.”
According to O’Reilly, firing pottery at 2,300 degrees renders it practically indestructible. And every pottery piece he makes is microwave, oven and dishwasher safe.
“There’s nothing you can do to them to make them look different unless you drop them on the floor. They’ll always look exactly as they do [new],” he said.
He became interested in making pottery five years ago after having a heart attack. His doctor told him to slow down and relax. Since he always fancied pottery, he began taking classes at
“My pottery business has grown from that,” he said. “I’m a mechanic by trade, but when I retire, I hope to do this full time.”
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