Nopalita Boutique: Original Mexican Art
Tara A. Spears
Aficionados of Mexican craftwork have long admired and collected the handmade traditional art such as Talavera ceramics and metalwork. It’s exciting to be able to meet the artists that have studios in the Riviera Nayarit area, including young and talented Arturo Brambila. His family operated studio offers outstanding fine art photography, custom wooden doors and Talavera ceramic items for the home. A third generation artisan, Arturo (26) works in acrylic painting and photography, while his father, Abraham Brambila Reyes, (56) creates the metalwork in the shop. Grandfather Martin Alvarez Arrizon (82) makes the gorgeous wood doors and shelving. While members of this talented family choose different expressive mediums, all create beauty that celebrates their Mexican roots. “I started drawing and painting as a little boy,” said Arturo in perfect English. “I studied English for three years and since then I practice speaking English with the foreign customers.”
The production of folk art and fine handmade items has an important role in the Mexican economy and the production of pottery in general is important to Mexican culture. Talavera is a type of pottery that was introduced to Mexico from Spain in the mid-17th-century. The colorful ceramics are found in the form of decorative tiles (azulejos) as well as in the form of plates, bowls, and other items found in Mexican homes. .
Talavera isn’t just any kind of pottery, though, and not just any artisan can make it. “My mother has an arrangement with Talavera artists in Guanajuato, Puebla, and selects each item that we have in the shop,” explains Arturo. “For personalized Talavera it will be approximately one month to deliver.”
It’s a complicated and time consuming process to make Talevera ceramics. The shaped clay is covered with a tin-enameled paint whose hard white glaze provides a backdrop against which the vivid glazes applied to it can visually contrast. Those vivid glazes are selected carefully; in fact, for Mexican talavera to be considered authentic, it can only be painted in one or more of six colors– black, blue, green, orange, yellow, or mauve–all of which must be made of natural dyes and all of which must be painted onto the piece of tile or pottery by hand.
The clay, a mix of a lighter and darker barro, must also come from Puebla and the forms into which it is shaped are fired twice. The process is hands-on, time-intensive, and elaborate. In Mexico, the center of authentic Talavera production is the state of Puebla, whose artisans have been renowned for the ceramic form since it was introduced to the country. In fact, Puebla has’ denominación de orígen’ status as the source of authentic talavera,
Certified Talavera pieces bear the signature of the potter, the logo of the workshop and the special hologram that certifies the piece’s authenticity. Only pieces from workshops that meet the standards are certified.” Authentic Talavera is costly, as every piece is one of its kind and of excellent quality.
As a true artist, Arturo is driven by the never-ending desire to create. After completing a university degree in Graphic Design, he prefers to use his knowledge of design, drawing, painting to develop as a painter and photographer. Arturo signs his original work “RiLu” and has stunning portraits of everyday people. “My biggest challenge as an artist is to be true to my heart when selecting a subject; hopefully, other people will also see the beauty in the composition.”
Even the name of the shop is infused with symbolism: while Nopales are a traditional and ancestral Mexican food that is filled with nutrients and health benefits, the prickly pear is also a symbol for Mexican perseverance.
“The analogy of resistance and how with noples, if you cut one of the pads off the penca, or if it just falls off, it tends to just grow back again. That was something to me resembled resiliency and grit, and this reminds me of our Mexican people, our heritage, our history,” explained Arturo. Most people recognize the prickly pear cactus and it has a lot of historical relevance to Mexico’s history, dating back centuries. The prickly pear cactus is on the Mexican flag.
Nopalita is a family business whose Mexican art emphasizes quality and unique design. They are happy to make items to suit the customer’s specifications and to provide custom orders. These beautiful home décor items are a unique way to bring the spirit and joy of Mexico into your home.
Nopalita is open Monday-Friday
La Penita town plaza
10 am til 5:00pm
322 344 7427
arturobrambiaalvarez@gmail.com
