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Adrianne Hawthorne

Adrianne Hawthorne artist



Ponnopozz is the brand and studio of Adrianne Hawthorne.

Adrianne uses vivid colours and unexpected combinations to create wild, colourful acrylic paintings of plants and other botanicals. Adrianne uses colour as her main source of inspiration, and finds plants the perfect subject matter for colour exploration given their interesting textures and shapes.

Adrianne has a graphic design background but prefers making art with her own hands. Taking the bold leap out into the world with her own brand, Adrianne now achieves creative satisfaction she never achieved working in the corporate world.

Her brand, Ponnopozz, is named after two imaginary friends she had as a child (Ponno and Pozzer). The name is a daily reminder of the unbridled creativity she had as a child, and which she continues to nurture through painting and drawing.

Adrianne is currently based in Chicago, Illinois where she resides with her partner Seth and four (!) cats.

Our Interview with Adrianne 

How would you describe your artwork to someone who’s never seen it?

Wild, colourful and maximalist.

What do you hope people get from your artwork?

A sense of playfulness and joy. I want people to know that it’s okay to live outside of the box that society puts us in. Colour is good for the soul and I find that people feel positive energy when they see my work.

Can you describe your personal home decorating style?

Maximal, yet again. No wall is untouched, whether it be wallpaper, paint or lots of artwork. My partner Seth and I express ourselves through colour, art, layering, knick knacks and items that bring us personal joy.

What’s your favourite item at home/your most treasured possession (functional or decorative)?

A new piece of art I just purchased, actually! It’s a picture of Chicago, underneath the L tracks, sometime in the 1950s or 60s. It’s black and white which is a bit unexpected for me but the contrast + a glimpse into another time is so captivating. I had to have it!

What (other than art) are you passionate about, and can you tell us a bit about it?

Lately I picked up birdwatching. I love it because it’s a way for me to get outside, connect with nature, and silence my mind. You can’t really think about your to-do list when you are listening intently for birds!

What’s your favourite quote or saying?

More is more and less is a bore.” by Iris Apfel

Something I have a particular interest in is human resilience - Can you tell us about a challenge in your life that turned out to be a blessing?

In 2015, I left everything I knew in Chicago and moved to San Francisco for work. Shortly thereafter, my 8 year relationship ended. I was completely alone for the first time in my life and it was painful. I started therapy there and began to work through lots of things that I never addressed. While difficult, the experience was liberating. I moved back to Chicago at the end of 2017 a new person. The time away gave me the chance to focus on bettering myself, even though in the moment it was terrible and scary.