Gary Skelly
Sea Grape Gallery Artist Member since 2022
Fine Art Medium: Ceramics
Gary Skelly is a ceramics artist who currently resides in Venice, FL. He has over 35 years of experience in pottery, sculpture & porcelain lighting. His work has been in galleries in Florida, New York, Philadelphia & New Jersey, and can be seen in the lobbies of two high-end residential buildings in New York City. Gary works primarily in porcelain clay. He fires his work in an electric kiln with the exception of his Rakku & Saggar firings. He uses commercial glazes as well as glazes he mixes himself from raw materials. He has also developed a few specialty finishes that he utilizes in the creation of certain pieces. Gary also has extensive experience with Raku and Saggar Firing. Some of his most recent works include these series: White Flames, Desert Finish, Carved Flora, Crayon Bowls, Crackle Finish Bowls and Shards of Light.
Gary Skelly – Artist Statement
I don’t know what life would be like for me without feeding the artistic side of my brain. When I first put my hands in clay, I didn’t realize that it would excite the artistic part of my brain to such a degree that I haven’t stopped exploring new ways to throw, mold, press and sculpt this substance that for me is magical. I work both on the wheel and with slabbed pieces of clay. In the past few years, I have found myself drawn to organic pieces, such that when you look at them you can almost see the nature they are inspired by. I find the most pleasure from creating work that I haven’t seen before, whether it’s from a new technique or process or from a different way of applying the materials I have become so familiar with. Pottery has been a gift for me and I am constantly striving to make pieces that communicate a sense of balance and complexity, hoping to leave behind something that not only brings some beauty into the world but also might bring a sense of balance and serenity when viewed, or possibly even provoking thought.
@GSkellyDesigns