Jose Arriola
"My full name is Jose Antonio Arriola Rodenas and I come from a happy family that has lived in Antigua for more than 100 years! My grandparents lived with us, as well as two uncles from my mother's side with their families. My dad was a master carver and he was known for his relief work. His work has been awarded by the government and it graces Guatemala's National Palace as well as the U.S. Embassy. On my mother's side, five generations have been dedicated to the beautiful craft of ceramic arts.
"That meant that at home we had two workshops – my father's where he worked with one assistant, and my mother's where they specialized in ceramics. Dad's workshop was too serious and somber for me, whereas everyone seemed to be having fun at my mom's. That's how I first got into ceramics, to have fun!
"I spent my school holidays there and learnt the craft. My siblings and I would receive some pocket money for us to buy whatever we pleased, and I used to spend it on fireworks and sweets. The first things we were taught to make were animal figurines.
"The traditional arts and crafts of Guatemala have had many ups and downs. We went through bad times when we worked hard and barely earned anything. During the Civil War (1977 – 1984) tourism was low and we could hardly sell a thing. However, we managed to pull through as a family. Don't ask me how, but we never lacked food on our table – we could be lacking in many things during the Civil War, but we never lacked food.
"I studied up to the second year in university but dropped out in 1979 when I got married, as I had to get a job to provide for my family. My first job, as an adult, was at my mother's workshop, where I learned all that I could and earned enough wages for my new family. There was a boom in tourism in 1986 and, thanks to the foreigners interested in my work, I earned enough to pay up all of my debts (there were quite a few!) and I even managed to build my own home, where I also built my own workshop. I think God has always blessed me and now I'm doing well.
"I like saying that I've always worked with clay, even when I was in my mother's womb because I have always been surrounded by ceramics – they are a part of my life and education. Now, after all this time, I am happy to teach others who become my apprentices and are interested in ceramic arts, since my children are not. They have seen me suffer and have lived through the ups and downs so they would rather follow a different path.
"I consider myself to be timely, honest and creative, and these are the qualities that I look for when I recruit apprentices and assistant ceramists. I love my craft, the whole process is beautiful, from acquiring the clay to the finishing touches on a piece.
"I am inspired by my country: the tranquil life of my city, our extensive culture, the colors, the designs on our traditional costumes, the flora and fauna. I consider it a privilege to have been born in Guatemala.
"My favorite thing to do is to create new designs and I love the challenge of crafting them. Every piece is crafted and painted by hand, and each design is proof of the richness of our culture.
"Working with ceramics has brought me many beautiful things, from learning the craft from my mother and uncles to providing for my family so that my four children can go to the university. I already have a grandchild and my wish for all of them is that are independent people with a career of their choice. That they be responsible and be respectful of God.
"I also enjoy tending to my garden and carving, which I learned from my dad. God touched my life many years ago and helped me overcome my problem with drinking through the help of the Catholic Church. Nowadays I try to help people that may need it and I volunteer at a maximum security prison, teaching the word of God. 'It is difficult to make Light present in the darkness.'"
Products (57)
Set of 4 Handcrafted Ceramic Angel Ornaments 'Heavenly Angels'
Handmade Ceramic Christmas Ornaments Set of 6 'Festive Guatemala'
Hand-Painted Ceramic Hummingbird Ornaments Set of 4 'Lively Hummingbirds'
Handcrafted Christmas Ceramic Ornaments Set of 6 'Crescent Moon'
Set of 3 Hummingbird-shaped Hand-painted Ceramic Figurines 'Red Hummingbird Family'
Green Ceramic Owl Figurine Handmade and Painted in Guatemala 'Adorable Tecolote'
Set of 3 Goose Ceramic Figurines from Guatemala 'Goose Family'
Set of 6 Hand-Painted Ceramic Ornaments with Cotton Bag 'Hearts of Nature'
6 Ceramic Ornaments Hummingbird Handcrafted in Guatemala 'Guatemalan Hummingbirds'
Owl-shaped Pair of Orange Ceramic Figurines from Guatemala 'Happy Tecolote Family'
Set of 4 Fish-Themed Hand-Painted Colorful Ceramic Magnets 'Marine Festival'
Hand Painted Ceramic Tree Ornaments Set of 6 'Christmas Tree'
4 Heart-Shaped Ceramic Magnets with Hand-Painted Motifs 'Hearts'
3 Dove Ceramic Magnets with Hand-Painted Floral Accents 'Cheerful Doves'
Ceramic ornaments Set of 4 'Angels of the Flowers'
Unique Central American Ceramic Ornaments Set of 4 'Angels'
Double Face Ceramic Flower Pot Hand-Painted in Guatemala 'St. John'
Hand-Painted Warm-Toned Ceramic Flower Pot from Guatemala 'San Antonio's Giant'
3 Handcrafted Pink Ceramic Kitty Cat Figurines 'Perky Pink Pussycats'
Handcrafted Yellow Ceramic Flower Pot 'Top Cat in Yellow'
Set of 6 Fish-Themed Hand-Painted Colorful Ceramic Ornaments 'Marine Celebration'
Set of 3 Hand-painted Turkey-themed Ceramic Figurines 'Turkey Family'
Set of 3 Hand-painted Armadillo Shaped Ceramic Figurines 'Armadillo Family'
Owl-shaped Yellow Ceramic Figurine Handcrafted in Guatemala 'Traditional Tecolote'
Set of 6 Terracotta Hanging Cat Ornaments From Guatemala 'Rainbow Cats'
Hand-Painted Ceramic Flower Pot 'Top Cat in Black'
Ceramic Owl Figurine in White Hand-Painted in Guatemala 'Charming Tecolote'
Ceramic ornaments Set of 6 'Shooting Stars'
Set of 6 Handmade Ceramic Heart Ornaments in Colorful Tones 'Flora and Fauna Heart'
Guatemalan Ceramic Flower Pot 'Top Cat in White'
Hand-Painted Ceramic Bird Ornaments Set of 6 'Flight of Love'
Ceramic Owl Figurine in Green Hand-Painted in Guatemala 'Wise Tecolote'
Handcrafted Guatemalan Ceramic Turtle Ornaments Set of 6 'Tropical Turtles'
Hand-Painted Striped Ceramic Flower Pot from Guatemala 'San Felipe's Giant'
Handmade Ceramic Cross Christmas Ornaments Set of 6 'Floral Crosses'
Crescent Moon Eclipse Ceramic Ornaments Pair 'Eclipse of the Sun'
Hand-Painted Small Ceramic Owl Figurine from Guatemala 'Endearing Tecolote'
Unique Ceramic Nativity Scene Sculpture Set of 12 'Chichicastenango'
Terracotta AnimalsMini Ornaments Set of 30 'Noah's Ark Friends'
Set of 6 Ceramic Seahorse Ornaments Handmade in Guatemala 'Seahorse Squadron'
Whimsical Hand-Painted Purple and Orange Ceramic Flower Pot 'Joyful Nature'
Ceramic Owl Figurine in Blue Hand-Painted in Guatemala 'Delightful Tecolote'
Handmade Cat Motif Planter 'Top Cat in Red'
Small Handcrafted Ceramic Plant Pot 'Top Cat in Turquoise'
Purple Owl-shaped Ceramic Figurine Handcrafted in Guatemala 'Adventurous Tecolote'
Handcrafted Ceramic Octopus Ornaments Set of 6 'Floral Octopus'
Set of 3 Handmade Owl Ceramic Figurines in Yellow and Black 'Intellectual Family'
Handmade Ceramic Bird Christmas Ornaments Set of 6 'Tropical Birds'
Artisan Crafted Ceramic Christmas Ornaments Set of 6 'Christmas Star'
Six Colorful Handcrafted Ceramic Eclipse Ornaments 'Flower Eclipse'
Central American Ceramic Bird Ornaments Set of 6 'Forest Birds'
Handmade and Painted Ceramic Owl Figurine in Yellow 'Lively Tecolote'
Set of 3 Hand-painted Cardinal-themed Ceramic Figurines 'Cardinal Family'
2 Handcrafted Ginger Orange Ceramic Owl Figurines 'Owls of Good Fortune'
Fair Trade Christmas Ceramic Ornaments Set of 6 'Lord of the Sun'
Festive Hand Painted Ceramic Cat Ornaments Set of 6 'Festive Cats'
Double Face Ceramic Flower Pot Hand-Painted in Guatemala 'St. Martin'