Lou Castillo is a Costa Rican Ceramist living and working in Nosara. After graduating from the University of Costa Rica in Fine Arts with a degree in Ceramics, she went on to open her own studio, La Tómbola. Her collections are both intimate and dynamic, striking a balance between the artist’s interest in traditional Costa Rican ceramics and her love of modern design. Since moving to Nosara with her Partner, David, in 2019, Lou has honed her skills as a ceramist, while exploring new techniques in glazing and scale. Her work can be seen in both homes and design-forward boutiques throughout Nosara.
Where we live
Landscape is essential in establishing the identity of a given place.

Who are we? Where are we from?
We belong to the places we inhabit and recall with familiarity and affection. A landscape and its history become our commonality in spite of our individual and diverse identities.

Here in Nosara, I found two defining characteristics in pochote spines and in the traces of snails in the sand. These natural protagonists transform into decorative facets, becoming a part of our daily vernacular and dialogue in the place where we reside.

The shapes present throughout this collection are the result of my investigation between inspiration and local tradition. My work explores a new meaning of ancestral objects in which the vessels and pieces of a ceremonial nature, stand out.

Developed since pre-Hispanic times, ceramics is the most representative art of the Nicoya area.

@La_Tombola