| Barbara Willis was born in Bakersfield, California on | | | | enough to sign it for me. She signed it "To Alice, |
| June 29, 1917. She began her art career by | | | | Warm Regards - Barbara Willis - 1/29/04." I later |
| studying with potter Laura Andreson and trained | | | | noticed that she had inadvertently dated it 2004 |
| with the master, Glen Lukens at UCLA in the late | | | | instead of 2005. Like most of us, we write the |
| 1930's. In 1942, Barbara opened her first studio | | | | previous year's date until we are used to the new |
| pottery. With the shortage of domestic products | | | | year. I certainly did not mind the incorrect date. I |
| due to World War II, Barbara then went from | | | | was overjoyed that I was conversing with her |
| studio to production potter. Barbara's unique | | | | and expressing my admiration for her work |
| glazing technique, vibrant colors and imitation wood | | | | directly in person.I speak of Barbara Willis with |
| designs were sought after by the large store | | | | much enthusiasm because of many reasons. First |
| chains such as Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor of | | | | and foremost, I love her pottery - not only her |
| New York, Gump's, & Macy's to name a | | | | vintage work, but her contemporary work as well. |
| few....including the White House. The popularity of | | | | Here's a woman, in her late 80's, who currently |
| her work lasted until the mid 1950's when art | | | | has her "creative juices" in motion, working right |
| pottery interest declined due to the increase in | | | | out of her home in Malibu Beach letting herself be |
| imports after the war. Barbara closed her pottery | | | | known again to the pottery world after a |
| and moved on to her next business venture.In | | | | thirty-seven year absence to clay. I, like many |
| 1994, Barbara Willis found a piece of her vintage | | | | others, am very appreciative of her work and |
| pottery at a flea market. During a conversation | | | | share in the joy of her return as she quickly is |
| with the seller, she passed on her phone number. | | | | being recognized as an important American |
| A few weeks later, an avid collector of her | | | | ceramist!You will find pieces of her vintage and |
| vintage works called her to explain that she is a | | | | contemporary works in the shopping gallery at as |
| California Art Pottery legend! Barbara was | | | | well as some hand made pottery gift items such |
| encouraged to begin a new line of pottery and, | | | | as necklaces, paperweights, and ring holders. I am |
| this Barbara Willis, Terrene Pottery was reborn! | | | | also proud to announce that Barbara Willis is the |
| Barbara utilizes a different approach in the making | | | | "Featured Artist" for the Grand Opening of the |
| of her contemporary line. She hand presses each | | | | gallery.If you would like to learn more about the |
| piece, using one of three types of clay. Barbara | | | | life and works of Barbara Willis, the above |
| uses a unique one-fire glazing process. Each piece | | | | mentioned book is a great read! The author, Jack |
| is definitely one of a kind!What a gracious woman! | | | | Chipman, had the opportunity to interview her for |
| I had the opportunity to meet Barbara Willis, in | | | | his book and during the process they became |
| person, at the Los Angeles Pottery Show on | | | | good friends and he is now a student of hers. A |
| January 29, 2005. In anticipation of meeting and | | | | lucky man!Alice Krueser is the owner of an online |
| talking with her, I took along my book "Barbara | | | | art gallery that promotes the arts and its |
| Willis - Classic California Modernism, by Jack | | | | "Directory of Artists" to the design industry as |
| Chipman" and asked her if she would be kind | | | | well as the general public. |