Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Purpura
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I actually began my career in photography and post-production. After graduating from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I felt immense pressure to find a creative job immediately. This pressure didn’t come from my parents or anyone around me, but from that lingering belief that artists can’t make a living from their art. So, I secured a job right after graduation, working as a photo retoucher for Playboy while also participating in group shows around Chicago to show my photo work.
Eventually, I moved to New York City, where I continued in post-production, this time in the fashion industry, while still occasionally exhibiting my work. By 2016, I was living in California, having spent nearly a decade in post-production for major companies. However, my passion for photography as an art form had waned. Spending so much time working for others and being stuck behind a computer drained the joy out of creating photographs. I stopped showing my work, and without the artistic community and inspiration I had in Chicago and New York, I felt disconnected from the art world.
I decided to learn a new craft and enrolled in beginner classes at Costa Mesa Ceramics, an incredible studio in Costa Mesa. The day after my first class, I signed up as an artist member and spent all my time at the studio. This is where my brand was born. With the encouragement and support of friends, I turned what began as a hobby into a full-blown business. I focused on creating a website and producing a substantial body of work for my first drop. Since then, my brand has grown significantly. I now have wholesale accounts around the world and regularly participate in pop-up events. It’s been an incredible journey and I have fallen in love with art again.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing the demands of being a sole producer while also learning how to run a business, all while holding down a full-time job. The initial rapid growth of my brand has been both exciting and overwhelming. Sometimes I struggle with imposter syndrome, feeling like I’m not fully equipped or experienced enough to handle everything, especially since I’ve only been doing this for a short time. Another ongoing challenge is pricing my work. I’m still learning to ask for what my work is truly worth, which can be tough, especially when you’re new to the business side of things. It’s an area where I’m trying to grow and gain more confidence.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a ceramicist focusing on small-batch pieces that merge art, design, and functionality. Every item I create, whether for wholesale or my website, is hand-painted and crafted with care—no two pieces are exactly the same. I take pride in ensuring each piece has its own unique design and a bit of my personality in it. Alongside running my brand, Hola Tonto Ceramics, I’m also a certified Visual Arts teacher in Austin, TX, where I teach advanced placement studio art in both 2D and 3D.
What’s next?
I’m about to bring my studio into my home. While I’ve loved working at a community studio, I believe having my studio where I live will drive me to create even more. Especially now that I’m more connected with the art community in Austin, participating in more showcases and pop-up events to sell my work. I’m also in the early stages of planning a group show with some local artists, which I’m really excited about. On top of that, my work was invited to join a new online wholesale community called Sune, so I’m currently building my platform and page for that.
Oh, and I am getting married 🙂
Pricing:
- $40-$350
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.holatontoceramics.com
- Instagram: @hola_tonto_ceramics
- Other: https://www.anniepurpura.net
Image Credits
Sam Bryant
Annie Purpura
