Meet Honda Rivera | Founder of Studio Almarantine | Ceramicist & Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Honda Rivera and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Honda, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thought process wasn’t a straight line, it was a long conversation with myself.
I’d always wanted to run my own creative business, but I kept hesitating because I understood the reality: whether you’re working for yourself or someone else, there are no guarantees.
What really pushed me forward was experiencing layoffs and company restructuring firsthand. It made me realize that the security I thought I had wasn’t really in my control anyway. So I asked myself, “if there’s no guarantee either way, why not bet on myself and do work I actually care about?”
That shift in thinking is what made me take the leap. It wasn’t about chasing a dream blindly, it was a practical decision. I’d rather navigate the uncertainty on my own terms, building and learning through something that’s truly mine.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My work lives at the intersection of fine art and functional design. What sets me apart is the depth of foundation beneath it– I spent my twenties completely devoted to developing my drawing and artistic process, pushing my skills until I could execute more complex, layered ideas. That discipline never left me. It carried through my design education and ultimately became the backbone of Studio Almarantine.

What I’m most proud of is the continuity, the through line from a young artist practicing her craft to the ceramicist and designer I am today. The work has evolved, but the devotion hasn’t. It has been a culmination of years of practice, education, and experience. There have been late nights, burnout, and real financial challenges. There have been moments I wasn’t sure how to keep going.
What carries me through is returning to the discipline I’d built in my craft long before the business existed. When things get hard, I dig my heels in and let the creativity guide me. I feel incredibly humbled by the journey.

In my business, I see myself like a sailor at sea. I used to feel like I could see where the land ended, now I’m out on a vast ocean, no land in sight, and at this point– I can only go forward.
I keep going not because I know where I’ll end up, but because I want to see where my creativity will end up and what it can become. I am an object designer, a ceramicist, an illustrator at heart, but I know I am capable of so much more, and I’m still on my way there, and I have learned to find the joy in the journey.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Mornings begin at Sightglass Coffee in WeHo, where I was a regular for three years. It’s a creative unique space that sets the tone for the day. Or we’d head to Sqirl in Virgil Village for breakfast. For lunch, I’d take you to CookBook in Larchmont Village, a charming neighborhood café and market that feels very LA in the best way.
If you’re curious about ceramics, we’re going to Two Faced Gallery + Studio in West Hollywood. It’s my creative home, the first gallery to carry my work, and a space that is genuinely special. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why community matters.
For an afternoon lounge/drawing session, Barnsdall Art Park is absolutely lovely– hilltop views of the Hollywood sign, the Griffith Observatory, palm trees everywhere. It’s one of those spots that makes you remember why people fall in love with this city.
For galleries, I’d make sure to check out Gemini G.E.L., a world-class fine art print gallery that I’ve been meaning to visit more. I also love James Fuentes and Nazarian Curcio, two of my favorite gallery spaces in the city for unpredictable, impactful, contemporary work.
For dinner, Bacetti in Echo Park!!! Both the food and atmosphere are great. And, no visit to LA is complete without a night at The Formosa Cafe in WeHo. Old Hollywood atmosphere, great drinks, and iconic history.
For nightlife, Golddiggers for drinks and live music, and when you’re ready to dance until 2am, Zebulon in Frogtown is where you go. One of the best venues in the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My biggest shoutout goes to Two Faced Gallery + Studio in West Hollywood, founded by Eve Palguta. I was one of the first members of the space, and I’ve had the privilege of watching it grow into something really special. When I lost my job, Eve worked with me to figure out my membership rather than letting me go. She told me something I’ll never forget, “Honda, good things should happen to good people.” She owed me nothing, and that kindness meant everything.
Two Faced Gallery was also the first design shop to carry my ceramic work, and today I teach ceramic design-focused course there on Tuesdays. It’s become a true creative safe-space for me.
I also want to recognize a few people who have poured into me along the way– David Kuperman, guitarist and songwriter, whose creative discipline pulled me out of my deepest burnout. Vanjane.LA, vintage curators and some of my best friends and best clients. And Reilly Talbot (Reillies), one of my closest friends and a true artistic and business collaborator. The connections I’ve made have been so genuine. I feel incredibly blessed.

Website: https://www.almarantine.studio/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/studioalmarantine/

Image Credits
Allie Paz @allazafaire (image of self) (images of vases/forms on pedestal)