I had an instant infatuation with clay when I took my first ceramics class with in high school, circa 1975. My high school offered a summer internship at the Long Beach Island Foundation for the Arts and Sciences and I was lucky enough to have that job for two summers. I got to see a different side of the alchemy by working with professional ceramic artists. 

I continued to randomly but enthusiastically dabble in clay over the years but didn't really pursue my passion until 2002, at Union Square Ceramic Center in NYC. When USCC closed, I landed at La Mano Pottery in Chelsea and began teaching and playing around with who I wanted to be as a potter. When I look back at the forms I was throwing, apparently I wanted to be about a hundred different potters!

In the last few years I've hunkered down to do what it takes to develop my ceramic voice. Instinct combined with deepening skills led me to shapes and colors that you see on these pages. I've added painting to my work, expressing my feelings through color and brush strokes on simple forms.

I primarily create functional ware - cups, mugs, bowls - with occasional vases or bowls popping up.

Custom pet bowls have become a big part of my repertoire thanks to inspiration from my first pretty little rescue dog, Tallulah Barkhead. After Tallulah passed on, the inspiration continued with my new rescue, Ezri Dax (named for a character on Star Trek Deep Space 9). I get a lot of satisfaction creating a bowl that the pet parent has envisioned!

I love the way porcelain feels and looks, so it’s my primary material. I've developed a love for wood-fired finishes and add those to my shop when I’m able to participate in that process once or twice a year.

As of 2023, I teach at LaMano Pottery in Chelsea, Clayspace in Greenpoint and Mud Matters in Hell’s Kitchen. I adore my students!

Thanks for stopping by!

You can reach me at: barbarastoneware@gmail.com or through Instagram @barbarastoneware (link below).