Today we’d like to introduce you to Annie Morcos.
Annie, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My art career wasn’t planned. I really wasn’t very “artsy” growing up. I was studying at California State University, Northridge as a business major. As life is sometimes, unpredictable events changed my path. Out of no where the world of art and animation fell into my lap from the sky and my life changed forever. I changed my major in school to art history and animation/graphic design. Graduated and proceeded to attend The Academy of Arts in San Fransisco and then The Los Angeles Film School. What a life change that was!
I worked a few years with some incredible visual effects houses, did work for Disney, Nasa, Warner Brothers and even stop motion for The Walking Dead. Somehow I always went back to working with my hands. In my last university I built a few stop motion miniature sets. It was the first art piece I physically really ever created. I decided that I wanted to work in the arts as well and started my own Wine and Paint events. This is where everything started for me. It was 2015 and I tested this wine and paint party idea on my family. I had never owned a paintbrush! I didn’t even practice. I just winged it and it was such a huge success. I started booking events weekly and decided I wanted show these off online. Instagram was starting to get popular and so I made fun time lapse videos. At the time these weren’t as popular as they are today. I started YouTube tutorials and my numbers just started to blow up. I was just a normal girl teaching myself how to paint and I think that really helped people connect with me. I was real for them. Someone they could relate to! Now fast forward to today, with a lot of hard work paint and tears, My little studio has evolved into a big name. I not only make and sell my own art pieces but I have an art shop. I’ve created art boxes that help my followers learn from me and have all the supplies I use at their fingertips. My art is now my full-time job and I wouldn’t change that for the world. I’m my own boss, I help people create and let art be their therapy. Nothing makes me happier than that.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t think any business ever has a smooth road to success! What people usually see is the final product, the beautiful designs. I definitely didn’t have a smooth road to where I am now. I’m self-taught, every obstacle I had to overcome myself, learn and teach myself. I don’t think anyone is ever ready or understands what it means to own your own business. Part of my business is also being an influencer. The fun and sparkly part of social media and the internet. No one really understands how much work that takes. You are the main personality people follow, your own boss, you do scheduling, content creation, editing, set up, lighting, marketing, inventory, customer service, filming, YouTubing on a schedule and so on, all on your own. Especially in the beginning, my life was set on hold. You have to focus all your energy on what you want to create your business into. The day you slack a bit or take some time off, someone else will still be working and will get ahead of you. So my hardest challenge I would say would have to be me balancing my regular life and work. My work is my life. So how do I separate that? It’s definitely still a huge challenge, however, I’m more aware of it and make sure that that balance is always steady.
Please tell us more about your art.
I’ve evolved into a resin artist! Yes, I say evolved because first I was a painter, then pour painter, sometimes sculptor, but most recently for the past couple years I’ve been a resin artist. Resin paintings and resin essential boxes are my niche and specialty. My company evolves as I evolve. I would say what I’m known for mainly are my art pieces and their time lapse videos. I love making large abstract paintings and recently have been casting resin as well. I’m incredibly proud of the fact that I teach people my craft. I’m not an artist who just created her art to sell. My art became therapy for me and I want to help others have that same feeling. Helping others through creating art is my peace and happiness. That’s where my art boxes came into play end of last year. When someone wants to learn how to create like me, they can use and have all my resources at their fingertips. I feel that this does set me apart from other artists in my niche. Its one this to create beautiful art, its another to create and share the craft with others. Give them the opportunity to grow their business, create with their families, or even just incorporate new hobbies into their lives.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I’m the kind of person who gets bored creating the same kind of art piece over and over. I’m always looking towards newer and bigger. Always creating new looks and trying to new techniques.
Besides just my art, my studio has become a crafts shop. My biggest plan for the future would be creating my own line of art products. Not just paints and your traditional tools, but also for the resin world. I do have some things set in motion already, so hopefully soon these big new changes will become reality and I can look forward to the next big change.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.anniesartstudio.com/
- Email: anniesartstudio15@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/anniesartstudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anniesARTstudio15
- Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/anniesARTstudio15
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