Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Annie Purpura. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Annie , appreciate you joining us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?

There have been some ups and downs, but yes—I can’t imagine a life without an art practice or creativity around me. As both an artist and maker, I’m currently navigating the delicate balance between my art practice and another passion—teaching. Alongside managing my brand, Hola Tonto Ceramics, I am a certified teacher in Austin, TX, where I teach Advanced Placement Visual Art.

I spent over a decade working in creative departments of major companies in Chicago, New York, and LA. I gained tons valuable knowledge and experience, but despite the success of it all, it led me away from my true passion for creating art. This period of creative uncertainty ultimately guided me to ceramics and the birth of Hola Tonto. Now, my joy springs from the seamless blend of teaching art and my own creative endeavors.

In a nutshell, I love being an artist and the idea of a regular job doesn’t occupy my thoughts anymore- or at least the kind that requires sitting behind a Macbook all day doesn’t. The current trajectory, transitioning from major companies to teaching and creating, brings immense happiness—a perfect balance I’ve discovered.

Annie , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Annie Purpura. I am a ceramic artist who lives and works in Austin, TX and I entered the world of ceramics during a creative slump and a classic bout of existential despair :)

After graduating from The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I started my first job as a photo retoucher for Playboy. I loved my time there and gained so much valuable experience that laid a solid foundation for my future roles.

I am from Chicago originally so when a bunch of my friends from college decided to move to NYC, I (obviously) joined them. I navigated through various creative positions in New York, eventually finding my niche as a digital tech for major magazine shoots. However, after a decade in commercial photography, I hit a creative slump, feeling the joy drain from my degree field, photography. Just before the pandemic struck (by this time I was living in California) I decided to pivot. I taught myself ceramics and birthed my brand, Hola Tonto Ceramics.

I started with classes at a community studio in Costa Mesa, CA called Costa Mesa Ceramics, eventually becoming an open studio member. Lauren, the owner, guided me from basic pottery fundamentals to more advanced techniques. After about a year, I moved to a studio closer to my home called Fire and Mud Studios. This is where Hola Tonto Ceramics realllly took off. As an artist resident, I had 24/7 studio access, and I was just cranking out work- experimenting, failing, refining, and eventually succeeding. I owe a lot to the owner, Kathy, who mentored me and taught me so much about materials, processes, and practice. She’s one of the big reasons why I teach ceramics for a living now.

Hola Tonto began with quirky functional items, evolving into wholesale accounts across the US and Canada, supporting my business. This allows creative freedom for my website, where I showcase unique, hand-painted, and experimental pieces. I think what sets me apart from others is that even my wholesale items are unique since I never use molds .What you are getting from me is completely one of a kind, since every item will vary slightly in shape . My items (wholesale and on my website) are all hand-painted and really are a labor of love. I am not a potter who makes the same form over and over again in the same glaze- I make sure each piece has a unique design on it and a piece of me.

I am most proud of my decision to make my website items a priority to my wholesale items. I love that I can make whatever I want to make, whenever, and in whatever quantity. I just recently did a whole series of work based off the show, The Sopranos, and everyone was so excited about it. It was a very niche and small collection, about 5 pieces, but some of these items took days to paint. I love that my ceramics showcase a real versatility in both function and artistry. For example, you can use my “I poisoned your food” plates for breakfast or have your coffee from a cup I adorned with a painted BDSM mask. Yet, these items also serve as standalone pieces of art for your home.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Oh, ya’ll. I am not good at social media or marketing myself but. as we all know, it’s the best way to promote yourself and your work. It requires consistency so that people remember you’re an artist making a living. The contrast between quiet spells and when I’m actively sharing content clearly impacts how my audience engages.

The beautiful thing about social media is its ability to cultivate authentic connections, both online and in real life. I think building a community transcends mere self-promotion; it involves actively participating in the narratives of other artists. Re-sharing is a powerful and easy way for artists to support each other, showcasing the diverse creativity in the community.

My advice for someone who is just starting to build a social presence would be to seek out that community right away. Reach out to artists whose work you admire, explore potential collaborations, and connect with the local community of artists in your city or town. If you spot someone regularly participating in markets or shows, don’t hesitate to inquire about ways to join in. My journey shows that successfully navigating social media is about more than just self-promotion; it’s about finding and fostering meaningful connections within the/ your creative community.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist and creative, for me, is the freedom to express myself authentically through my work. Whether it’s experimenting with different processes in ceramics or creating the work I am known for, the ability to channel my thoughts, emotions, and experiences into tangible forms brings me so much happiness. What makes it even more gratifying is that a significant portion of my work is irreverent, humorous, and sometimes just plain ridiculous. I love that people appreciate my humor and want these strange pieces for themselves.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.holatontoceramics.com
• Instagram: @hola_tonto_ceramics
• Other: www.anniepurpura.net is my photo/portfolio site.

Image Credits
Image credit for portrait of me in my studio: Kimmy Le