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