Today we’d like to introduce you to Hugo Ramirez
Hi Hugo, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Hey! My name is Hugo, and I was born and raised in El Salvador. I graduated as a strategic designer, and three years ago, I moved to H-town. I have a background in music and design, but my passion for ceramics began during college. I took a brief ceramics class, and it was love at first sight. From that moment on, I immersed myself in learning, spending my free time reading books, watching videos, and researching on my own. One day, I decided to take the plunge—I went to a local ceramic store, bought materials, and started experimenting.
I used to create small sample pieces and fire them in my college’s tiny kiln. Over time, I realized that creating was what I truly loved. I’ve always been drawn to handmade home goods, but with a touch of design. This passion led me to dedicate my bachelor’s thesis to exploring artisan-made processes in a small community in El Salvador.
Eventually, I opened my own studio, and everything was going well. I worked with restaurants creating dinnerware and collaborated with various clients. But when the pandemic hit, I had to shut down my business in El Salvador. It was a difficult decision, but I chose to move to the U.S. to be closer to my family and pursue my dream of opening a studio here. My goal is to create contemporary pieces for interior design and restaurants.
The journey hasn’t been easy. As immigrants, we often have to take on different jobs to support our dreams, but that struggle has deepened my appreciation for the process. I’ve learned that making your own way in the world is a beautiful experience, and that we, as humans, are the masterpiece itself.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It hasn’t been easy at all, and I hope that someone can relate to my story because we all have dreams and the desire to make a living from them. I am one of those dreamers—a human filled with aspirations. However, the journey has taught me to cherish every step of the process.
I remember a time when I had a significant collaboration; I put all my pieces in the kiln, eagerly anticipating the results. But when I opened it the next day, everything was ruined. I cried for about two hours, overwhelmed by disappointment. Yet, after drying my tears, I picked myself up and started all over again.
Being here as an immigrant can be tough. Juggling a demanding job while trying to find time to go to a local studio to fire my pieces is a constant challenge. After a long day at work, I often find myself exhausted, yet I still sit at the throwing wheel and let the world fade away.
I vividly remember that the first thing I did with my first paycheck was to save up for a throwing wheel so I could practice making pieces every day. That, to me, is what persistence truly means: even in the hardest times, never abandoning your dreams.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I thrive on constant creation and experimentation with shapes and colors. I have a deep appreciation for dinnerware and the way a beautifully crafted piece of ceramic can elevate a table setting. My inspiration comes from clean lines and simple shapes, which bring a sense of elegance to everyday life.
I am particularly fascinated by the experimentation involved in applying dry flakes of glaze; the results are nothing short of astonishing. Additionally, I find inspiration in sunsets, as they remind me of the beauty in transformation.
I’m currently preparing my site to launch some limited-time pieces, along with a curated collection, set to debut in January 2025.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I have a deep love for Pizza Napoletana, so when I’m not busy making pottery, you can find me in the kitchen crafting pizza from scratch. I enjoy preparing ingredients like stracciatella, Italian sausage, prosciutto, and mortadella—though I’ll stop here before I get too hungry!
In addition to my passion for ceramics and cooking, I’m also a musician. I love playing the guitar, singing a little, and sharing good times with friends and family.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hugodramirez
Image Credits
Photography and video stills by Josemario Sequeira
