Today we’d like to introduce you to Samara Caughey.
Hi Samara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am lucky enough to own an art studio for kids and families called Purple Twig. The studio is located in the Eagle Rock neighborhood of Los Angeles. 12 years ago, I rented this storefront, putting in little tables and chairs and loading the shelves with art supplies. I opened the doors hoping people would find what I have to offer as worthwhile and drop off their kids and to my delight, they did.
My background is in art. I have a BFA from School of art Institute of Chicago and a MFA from USC. Art education is what I love. I come to teaching art as a maker of objects, a lover of materials and with a desire to learn new techniques. I get to explore and learn every day with these kids. I had been teaching art in other institutions around LA for about 8 years and wanted to grow my ideas of teaching art to children in a creative environment of my making and develop my teaching philosophy centered around the process of art making rather than the product of art making.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I am a bit of an anti-Capitalist which one might think makes owning one’s own business complicated. Being aware of the roots of Capitalism is critical. It forces me to be clear about what is important to me in fostering this art studio. I spend a lot of time thinking about how success is measured for me compared to our society. Monetary value is not the first thing that comes to mind. Guiding children to explore all kinds of materials and techniques, furthering self-confidence and supporting my teachers to be the best they can be and finding their own way.
When moving through life in a non-conventional way, one can question oneself and feel naïve. Honestly, I am naïve when it comes to business but those things are easy to learn with time and a good accountant if you can ask questions. Being thoughtful and confident in teaching art is not so easy to learn.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Purple Twig?
We provide East Los Angeles with one-of-a-kind art classes, workshops and camps with the aim to induce wonder and spark enthusiasm for the world around them. We introduce children to drawing techniques, ceramics, printmaking, collage making and sculpture using recycled materials and sometimes sculptures with what we can find walking the neighborhood. I consider art-making a sophisticated endeavor that furthers self-confidence, problem-solving skills and creative thinking through exploration.
Oh and I wrote a book. That’s how I spent my time when the studio was closed during the Covid pandemic. I find such joy in developing art projects for kids. The book is called Drawing Workshops for kids published by Quarry books. Writing this was a way for me to keep sane while in isolation. I would set up drawing projects for my own 2 children and photograph them as they moved through the activity.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I would struggle and suffer greatly in my business if I didn’t have flexibility and patience and the ability to not take things personally.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.purpletwig.com
- Instagram: @purpletwig
