Backyard Pottery

About

Eric Jensen is an art teacher in Portland, OR. Eric received a bachelors degree in art practice from Portland State University, where he focused on integrating ceramics, printmaking and shop-craft into a creative practice.
In 2019 he earned a Masters of Education, and began teaching art at a local high school.

Passionate about teaching, creating, and sharing creative space, Eric grew up digging holes for, and throwing rocks over pitfirings. His first ceramics experience was at UC Berkeley in 1986, where he threw a very heavy bowl out of a red earthenware clay body. For the next 20 years, he experimented with clay off and on before committing to a DIY ceramics education via local community and art colleges. Having moved into a new home with a dedicated creative space, Eric began building his second small pottery studio in the summer of 2022. The goal has been to bring neighbors, creatives and kindred spirits together to share space, make art and enjoy each other’s company.

Eric is originally from Boise, Idaho and is the son of a musician, and a potter.

Interests

Handbuilding
pinchpots
soft slab
hard slab

Throwing
functional
ergonomic
thrown and altered

Firing
electric
cone 6
raku
pit-fired
soda
wood
experimental

Get in touch

Whether you’re just interested in trying your hand with clay, or looking to expand on your foundational knowledge, the Backyard Pottery is a resource worth considering. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and see how we can welcome you to the studio.

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