Meet Isabella Betiato | Ceramics Artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Isabella Betiato and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Isabella, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Coming from a background in brand design, I’ve always been compelled to create my own brand expression and, with that, offer something beyond a product. I felt deeply that whatever I created needed to be tied to a way of life—a philosophy of sorts, something impactful with the potential to create a positive ripple effect. That was my north star. I didn’t truly start until I understood what that ‘way of life’ was. Pottery began as a soothing personal practice, but the more I created, the more I understood the essence that handmade objects bring to daily moments, and from there, Monaad unfolded.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I was born and raised in a small town in South America by a loud Brazilian-Italian family that loved sharing big meals, drinking wine, and playing cards. Growing up in Brazil, I experienced how slow and gentle life could be, infused with the richness of nature, connection to others, and food that was pure, straight from the Earth. My love for languages and desire to explore a different culture brought me to the U.S. in 2009. Here, I found myself in the faster pace of modern living—every moment seemed coded with opportunity but also, at times, rushed. Now, living in California with my sweet bulldog River, I aspire to find balance between these two worlds: creating and embracing opportunities while also cultivating a rhythm of “nowness” that leads to a more present and fulfilling experience. Pottery came as the great anchor to all that.

My art is deeply rooted in the philosophy of gentle living and nowness—the practice of being present. Through ceramics, I combine these themes with functionality, aiming to enrich daily experiences through intentional pouring, sharing, and sipping. That’s what excites me the most and sets me apart: creating a brand that goes beyond a product and has the potential to positively influence someone’s everyday life.

I’m particularly proud of how Monaad has evolved naturally from a soothing personal practice of mine into a brand that resonates with people. Seeing my pieces become a part of someone’s daily rituals, from morning coffee to gatherings, fills me with immense satisfaction and inspires me to keep creating. It’s what got me here—the natural evolution combined with the support of my people, stubborn passion and adaptability.

Embracing pottery as my practice has been one of the most empowering and revealing experiences of my life. Balancing a full-time career in brand design while building Monaad required immense dedication and what I like to call “delusional trust.” I learned to cultivate a different kind of resilience—calm, steady, and focused on the bigger vision to guide me on when to move forward and when to stay still. This was a shift for me, as I’ve always been a planner. Through this journey, I’ve learned to embody the very principles Monaad is built on: the art of being present and gentle living.

Moving forward, my goal is to continue manifesting my ideas in mud and watch as people find a part of themselves in my pieces, embracing a slower pace and cultivating a grounded life.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
We’d explore some of my favorite coffee houses: MudWtr on Main Street, The Boy and the Bear in Culver City, and Aquarela Coffee, a beautiful Brazilian specialty café inside a historic building in Downtown LA.

We’d also check out the Japanese and Desert Gardens, along with the historic library at Huntington Gardens and stop at some of my favorite shops: General Store, Middle of Nowhere, and Merchant in Venice.

For art immersions, we’d navigate the walls of LACMA or The Broad Museum. and round out the experience with a stand-up comedy show at the Laugh Factory and a Broadway show at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood.

Dinner plans would include sushi at Wabi On Rose, New American farm-to-table dishes at Akasha in the Arts District in Culver City, California-style Mexican cuisine at Chulita, and Spanish tapas at Manchego.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First, to my dad for imbuing me with the resilience to move forward and work towards a big vision. To my mom for her passionate essence and creative influence, helping me stay open to a fluid life of creativity. To my mentor Henry Mateo, who, while teaching me design principles, also spoke to the craft with a blend of disciplined practice and artistic greatness. And finally, to my beautiful friends Micah Cheyenne and Kimber Tiernan, who have supported me in every possible way, always.

Website: https://www.monaad.com/

Instagram: @monaadstudio | @bellabetiato

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bella-betiato-43777b56/