Arleth Rivera: "Tecolote Artes y Oficios", The Art of Handmade Bookbinding
«Arleth Rivera, Honduran artist and designer, takes us into the world of handmade bookbinding through her business "Tecolote Artes y Oficios". Find out more about her products, artistic development, and projects.»
On this occasion, we had the opportunity to interview the Honduran designer and artist, Arleth Rivera. A creative entrepreneur who started her own company in 2013, 'Tecolote Artes y Oficios' (Tecolote Arts and Crafts), a company that specializes in bookbinding.
Graduated in Graphic Arts at the 'Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes' (National School of Fine Arts, Honduras) and Visual Communication Designer at the 'Universidad Nacional de La Plata' (National University of La Plata, Argentina). Arleth was able to participate in various extracurricular activities in the areas of art, music, and sports from a young age, thanks to her mother's support; this is how, at the age of 15, she discovered her passion for graphic design, and she continues to develop her skills as a professional in the creative industry to this day.
How was "Tecolote Artes y Oficios" created?
I had fewer classes left in the last year of my university degree, and the job I had at the time was paid by the hour, so I had plenty of extra time to learn a bit more about other arts to complement my degree, so I discovered lettering, illustrated embroidery, book restoration, and then handmade bookbinding. For me, it was love at first stitch.
I started making bookbindings as gifts for my friends, but then they themselves began to order them as gifts for their friends. One of the added values of Tecolote from the beginning, and that still remains, was the customization; from the beginning, I stood out for the original designs on the covers of the notebooks, that I now call "Tecolote" (always in singular, even if there are several), and from then on I couldn't stop doing them, and here we continue to do them since 2013.
Interesting Fact: Tecolote is the common name in Mexico, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras for several birds in the owl family. The tecolote has a special meaning amongst Mesoamerican cultures.
What is your creative process for designing your work? What is your source of inspiration?
I have many books that I flip through more than I read. I am very observant of details on street signs, restaurant menus, and the design and use of signage. I like to have conversations and, above all, listen to many topics that I don't know about. I also follow websites of artists from different fields.
I used to collect postcards and posters and decorate the walls of my house/workshop with them. I like to see lots of colors, in paintings and designs, with lots of bright and contrasting colors. I write down my ideas in a specific "Tecolote" for that and I have others where I organize the ideas. Organizing my to-do list daily helps me to stay calm and carry out "the inspiration" smoothly. "It finds me always working," as Picasso said.
Original quote: “Inspiration Exists But It Has To Find You Working” Pablo Picasso.
In September 2021, you announced your project "Tecolote Box Creativo". What does this innovation in your professional brand consist of?
In fact, it is an extension of what I intended to create with Tecolote from the beginning, but first I had to go through other experiences and challenge myself a little more. I took the word "BOX" from the physical space used in Crossfit. When I practiced it every day, I was surprised by the incredible variety of high-intensity exercises that can be done.
Tecolote has been the project to which I have devoted more time in my life, and it is in that sense that I want to create a space where I can invite artists from different disciplines to teach those of us who want to learn something from what they know, because I believe that the more experiences (artistic or not) we have, which are positive, the more inspiration we'll have at the time of creating; and then, the more creative we will stay.
Is it necessary to have previous experience to participate in Tecolote's workshops, and who can participate?
Tecolote's official workshops (bookbinding, making of cardboard articles and paper decoration) are open to anyone who wants to learn; no experience is required. But let's say, usually, they must be over 15-years-old because we work with short, sharp tools and I require them to be very careful. Though something interesting is that in previous workshops, I've had the participation of 12-year-old girls who have surprised me in the handling of these tools, so I don't exclude younger participants or kids.
My workshops have been attended by designers, lawyers, and doctors, as well as young people who are in high school or even coming out of elementary school.
-We also give workshops to younger children, but these are requested by different organizations for specific groups.
What is the most valuable thing to you about sharing your knowledge and developing the workshops?
I love it. I love to see the enthusiasm of the participants when they get to see a beautiful and useful finished object made by themselves that started out as just paper and cardboard.
I love to meet new people, to have them tell me about their life and travels, and it is always a pleasure to receive them in my environment. I respect their time and their monetary investment, so I always try to give the best of myself in each workshop and offer a great service. Knowledge is universal, so I am happy to share the little bit I know.
What advice would you give to people interested in becoming entrepreneurs in the artistic industry?
Experiencing multiple disciplines, learning about everything and above all, about accounting and finance, which although it is also a subject that resonates with me, it's important to be able to speak and charge properly for our work because we are not only a sector that needs support, we are a sector that needs investment, but if we don't know what we are worth, we will always be reduced and intimidated and others will pay us whatever they want to.
Living from art is possible, but you need discipline. Although being independent gives us the possibility to be flexible with our schedules, it is important to allocate several hours a day in an orderly manner and create a routine. Look for tools that reduce procrastination.
Professionally, what are your goals for 2022?
To continue learning constantly, incorporating new techniques and perfecting them in order to offer our clients detailed-oriented products. Fusing other artistic techniques to bookbinding, and evolving in terms of branding always has to do with innovation, so I intend to improve and make our designs even more attractive.
Incorporate the teaching of bookbinding techniques into specific target groups of the market and, in general, expand our products and services, giving all our clients that added value that we leave in each of the Tecolote we produce.
To finish, a quick questionnaire so that our readers can get to know you even better:
Favorite visual artist: National- Mau Moreno, my co-worker, friend, and family, whose work I have seen mature and who complements "Tecolote Artes y Oficios." International artist- Oswaldo Suels, a Venezuelan living in Argentina, painter and illustrator; I admire the amount of detail that he captures in his work.
A skill you want to learn this year: Playing guitar
Favorite Honduran food: All those that include corn-atol, fritas, tamales, tortillas, and corn alone or with butter and cheese.
Describe your art in 3 words: innovative, unique, and long-lasting.
A phrase that inspires you: "Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful." -William Morris
Find Tecolote Artes y Oficio on their social networks:
Tecolote Box Creativo on Instagram: @tecoloteboxcreativo
Phone, Whatsapp, and Telegram: +504-8899-7324
Email: holatecolote@gmail.com
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