By: Alice Krueser

Just the opposite of forgotten! A whirlwind of interest from the mid 20th century modern minded interior designer is in full speed ahead! From the boomerang, atomic, and the starburst shapes to the cylindrical lines and the ethnic influences - it's all in high demand. The history behind California Potteries is a driving force for their growth in popularity and price.

During World War II with the ban on imports in place, many entrepreneurs saw the opportunity to open shop to design and create their own pottery lines, many of which are mentioned later in this article. Sadly, many of these potteries closed down by the early 1950's with post-war imports from Italy and Japan creating fierce competition. Only a few of them survived into the 1960's. Pictured above and below are ceramic pieces that were designed by Marc Bellaire.

Born: Toledo, OH in 1925
Died: Cathedral City, CA 1994

We are amazed of the lack of information available about this artist. What knowledge we do have is attributed to a book on California Pottery and some internet research. Even that author stated, A cloak of mystery seems to surround Marc Bellaire's early years in the business. When we first read about Marc Bellaire, we discovered that his birth name was Donald E. Fleischman. Even more amazing, after reading further, we discovered that he had yet another business name, Charles Le Richeux! Nevertheless, we too think, as the above author says, "his individual flair for animated decoration and design merit a closer look"

Marc Bellaire was employed by Sascha Brastoff in West Los Angeles. He later opened his own ceramics business in Culver City, California with the leading trade publication, Giftwares, listing him as one of the top ten artware designers of the late fifties. He was also a teacher and wrote about ceramic design and decoration in magazines such as Ceramics Monthly and Popular Ceramics. Also, he wrote two handbooks titled "Underglaze Decoration" and "Brush Decoration". He moved to Virginia where he had a private art studio and art gallery. He later moved back to California opening a studio located in Cathedral City, California, near Palm Springs.

Other interesting facts: * Studied at the Toledo Museum of Art, Chicago Academy of Art, Chicago Art Institute, the now Otis Art Institute, and the Immaculate Heart College * Designed for Libbey Glass Company * Many of his hand-decorated exotic designs were inspired by his World War II experiences in the Pacific when serving in the Navy. Patterns include "Balinese", "Mardi Gras", "Friendly Island", "Jamaica", "Hawaiian", "Jungle Dancer", "Cave Painting", "Bird Isle", "Oriental", "Kashmir", "Beachcomber", "Luau" and "Polynesian Star" and a Southwest motif on his later work while at his Palm Springs studio

By: Steve Conti

Back in the 1950s, bigger was always better. Cars became longer, fins higher and hair more bouffant. This was the perfect climate for a larger than life artist, ceramist, dancer, designer, sculptor and talk of the town: Sascha Brastoff. Screen legend and noted art aficionado Edward G. Robinson proclaimed, "Sascha is a modern day Cellini; a contemporary DaVinci." Sascha Brastoff had "arrived" in Hollywood...

Barbara Willis was born in Bakersfield, California on June 29, 1917. She began her art career by studying with potter Laura Andreson and trained with the master, Glen Lukens at UCLA in the late 1930's. In 1942, Barbara opened her first studio pottery. With the shortage of domestic products due to World War II, Barbara then went from studio to production potter. Barbara's unique glazing technique, vibrant colors and imitation wood designs were sought after by the large store chains such as Neiman Marcus, Lord & Taylor of New York, Gump's, & Macy's to name a few....including the White House. The popularity of her work lasted until the mid 1950's when art pottery interest declined due to the increase in imports after the war. Barbara closed her pottery and moved on to her next business venture.

Unfortunately, we have not been able to find out much about this California Artist. We acquired this ceramic, lidded box with her full signature on the front and marked "California Originals" on the back. This one and only piece that we have found reminds us of some of Marc Bellaire's work similar to his "Mardi Gras" pattern. When we acquired Jack Chipman's most recent book, "California Pottery Scrapbook", we were delighted to see on page 205, a plate designed and made by Ann Cochran. His research indicated that Ann Cochran Originals was located in North Hollywood apparently in operation in the early to mid 1950's.

Born: Chicago, Illinois in 1912
Died: February 1994

Howard Pierce studied at the Chicago Art Institute, California's Pomona College, and the University of Illinois. He worked for and learned from William Manker whom began his career with the Batchelder- Wilson Tile Company in Los Angeles. Howard and his wife and business partner, Ellen, lived in Claremont California during the early years of his work and later moved to Joshua Tree, California, a desert community near Palm Springs. He was a creator of ceramic birds and animals among other mediums. He even made some of his porcelain pieces using some Mount St. Helens ash! He was very fond of the wildlife and found that porcelain to be the best material to use for his wildlife figures.

Howard Pierce put Joshua Tree, California on the map with his now-highly sought after ceramic and metal art work. He loved the natural desert and that love is reflected in his work. His affection for Joshua Tree was great! Many of his public sculptures are visible throughout the town and from the roadway including outside the Cultural Center, the Hi-Desert Museum, the Hi-Desert Medical Center, and a famous sculpture atop a hill overlooking the former Pierce estate.

The owners of Madeline Originals, Madeline and Paul Johnson opened their doors in 1948 in Pasadena California. For the first ten years the name of their business was Madeline Ceramics and were marked as such. Later all subsequent items were marked Madeline Originals Made in U.S.A.

South Laguna Beach, California
1927 - 1963

Durlin E. Brayton, former self-employed carpenter, who attended the Chicago Art Institute, built a Southern California ceramic company called Brayton Laguna Pottery. It became one of the foremost companies in the history of Southern California pottery with the help of his second wife, Ellen Webster Grieve in the late 1930's. The business gradually declined after the death of Ellen in 1948 and the passing of Durlin E. Brayton in 1951. Employees kept the business going until the doors were closed some time in the late 1960's when Japanese imports were again plentiful and ended an important chapter in California's ceramic history. Today, the buildings comprise the Laguna Art Center.

Research shows that a women by the name of Lisa Whitmore, who worked for Brayton Laguna, created the cat design pictured above.

Born: Switzerland, 1906
Died: North Hollywood, California 1996

Hedi Schoop, a prominent ceramics artist from North Hollywood during the 1940's & 1950's, shares a place at the top of the California Pottery collectibles list.

In 1933 she fled Nazi Germany with her well known husband, Frederick Hollander, the Academy award winning composer.

With the import ban in the United States during World War II in place, Hedi Schoop, like many other artists, saw this as an opportunity to "set up shop" and sell her ceramic creations. Hedi Schoop Art Creations opened in 1942. Temporary employment was given to many of her European refugee friends who were affected by Hitler's rise to power. Although she was mostly known for her various ethnic figurines, she also produced a variety of other decorative pieces such as plates, vases, candle holders, planters, and baskets. One of her friends and prominent German painter, Sylvester Schaffers, displayed his talents on her plates along with his regular decorating responsibilities.

In 1958 her plant was shut down due to a fire.

De Forest of California was started by Margaret and Jack De Forest in 1950 in Duarte, California and remained in business until approximately 1970. De Forest was known for its whimsical kitchen and bath novelties.

Lynne T. Jones, ASID, received her degree in Interior Design from Texas Tech University and has been working as an interior designer in the Houston area for over 20 years. She is a professional member of ASID (the American Society of Interior Designers) and is licensed by the State of Texas with Registration No. 1489.

Lynne's award winning design projects have been featured in such publications as Better Homes & Gardens Bedroom & Bath Ideas, Better Homes & Gardens Decorating Ideas, Southern Living, First for Women, Houston Home & Living, Houston & Fortbend Lifestyles and Houston House & Home. She is a former Houston Chronicle/ASID Design Awards winner with her rendition of an Adirondack style log cabin. Lynne has also designed rooms for several ASID Showhouses. She contributes "Designer Tips" to HGTV and enjoys public speaking regarding interior design to various clubs, groups & schools.

The Los Angeles Pottery Show
September 30 - October 1, 2006
The Pasadena Conference Building
300 E. Green Street
Pasadena, California
Saturday 10 - 6, Sunday 10 - 4
Our artist member and featured artist for the gallery's grand opening, Barbara Willis, will be exhibiting at this event.

Clay Houston Festival
Ceramics Exhibition and Sale
Artists' Demonstrations
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
4848 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77002
July 8 - 9, 2006 10 - 5
Free Admission

Rosenkavalier Antiques
French & Italian Antiques
3 Locations in Houston, Texas
2444 Bissonnet, 1715 Westheimer, & 410 Westcott
Open 12 - 6, 7 days a week
713-527-0660

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