Jon Brinley

Midland, GA

Artist Bio

After years of collecting pottery with his wife, Connie, Jon Brinley began making pottery in 1998. He first joined the local Parks and Recreation center to learn the basics of wheel throwing, but soon realized he needed more than the program could offer. His love of wood-fired pots led him into deeper explorations of clay, glazes, kiln design and construction, and firing techniques—both subtle and dramatic.

Brinley’s studio, located on the property where he grew up in Midland, Georgia, houses his wood kiln and two gas kilns, which allow him to continue exploring locally and regionally sourced materials. Influenced by his years of collecting and by the long history of pottery-making in the region, his work has continually evolved. Balancing the simplicity of functional ware with the challenges of large vessels, Brinley continues to push the limits of clay—always learning.

Where to find his work: County Line Art Farm (studio) – Midland, GA

Artist Statement

Jon Brinley (b. ~1963, Midland, GA)

Brinley often says that a lifetime is the best answer when asked how long it takes to make a good pot. Always searching for the perfect clay or glaze, always testing and learning, he approaches pottery with the same care as raising children—ensuring that each piece is ready for the world before letting it go.

As a working potter in west-central Georgia, Brinley is committed to understanding locally sourced materials and using them in ways similar to potters of the Southeast and Southern Appalachia for centuries—though with a modern twist. He controls the process only enough to allow the natural character of each ingredient to shine through. Every pot reflects where it came from, and the unique properties of local materials offer special advantages, particularly in his large-scale work.

Each step of the process matters: the wood used to fire the kiln, the clay shaped into form, the minerals in the water for the glazes. Every element plays an important role in the finished piece. Each kiln load requires three to four months of preparation—throwing, trimming, drying, and glazing—followed by a week of careful loading, positioning each pot to interact purposefully with the flame. The firing itself lasts 24–28 hours, reaching temperatures above 2,400°F, after which the kiln cools for three to four days. A final week of washing, grinding, and finishing readies the pieces for their next journey—into the hands of others.