Patience is a virtue

When you decide to embark on a journey of arts and crafts, one lesson you will be taught constantly is patience. This week I decided to throw a teapot set from scratch and boy it was freaking hard!! Patience with self has always been crucial. We live in the day and age where people more so than not expect quick fix, quick result, quick refill to their empty vessel. Our consciousness is saturated with snap shots and snippets of our non-lasting desires. The more I dive into making (at my own pace) the more I see that the real meaning and the true purpose doesn’t reside in the ‘thing’ but in the practice itself. This - perhaps is where artists and makers peak. If only those who come into contact with our craft would experience that too.

Nocturnal Aesthetics Black Boutique Pop up

Earlier this month we were sooo fortunate to host a pop up show just in time before lockdown 2.0!! In the days and age where we mostly source everything online and barely know the stories nor the faces, designers and makers behind the brands, we feel extremely grateful to be presenting our creations face to face with you. As all of our artisan goods are handmade we believe it's important for customers to have an intimate feel and touch of our goods through a boutique shopping experience.

To beloved friends and new connections we just wanted to say a massive massive thank you for making the effort (even on a rainy day) to come and see us and our beautiful space in Chelsea. We are hoping to bring you a similar sort of event next year with more interactive experience, more chats more drinks.

Please follow us on instagram to see our latest updates.

@_nocturnalaesthetics

Our next online event is Friday 13th Nov  Sample sales.

Some of our NA members will also be trading at the Trumans design and craft Xmas fair in Bricklane this December. Stay tuned for details.

Stay well all.

Natcha

Massive thank you to my dear friend Puttatida for these beautiful atmospheric captures of our space.

Creativity freedom

One of my awareness practices to stay in the flow of creativity is to not allow external circumstance to affect or dictate how, when, where, what, why I create.

Even if there are constraints they're just simply another condition, another appearance witin infinite potential. The lockdown is a prime example as it sends us on a spiritual quest to realise new ways of being - igniting an inward journey which one must embark on to finally see that confinement is an illusion. All constraints are in our head. The apprent lockdown is simply a thought in your mind.

In the end creativity is a primal force that permeates through all living beings, it transcends space and time. Remembering this helps you ease into your natural state - to be to live and create freely

How I became part of Nocturnal Aesthetics

Around this time last year I discovered Marie's (Misan Jewellery) page by chance by fate or by instagram algorithm? Either way I was instantly drawn to her raven skull necklace. It's exactly what I wanted/looking for - both design, quality and aesthetics.  Marie with her big bright smile is super friendly in person, she delivered the skull necklace to me herself along with Poppy her super adorable companion french bulldog.  We spoke briefly about our passions, hectic London life, our hobbies and then parted ways.

Fast forward, I stumbled upon Nina Ullrich's work through Marie's page and instantly fell in love with one of her leather envelope clutch collection. Her design and styling is impeccable. She is also one of the most dedicated, caring and patient people I know. Nina is the founder and curator of Nocturnal Aesthetics. She invited me to one of the events she hosted last year. Gradually I got to know the rest of the designers (Nina K (War & drobe), Momo, and Deborah) on a more personal level and I must say there was harmony right from the start. We admire each others work so much and support one another like sisters. We have unique insights, strengths in various arenas to offer.

I remember it all so well the day before lockdown earlier this year (Friday 13th) that Nina U asked me if I would be part of Nocturnal Aesthetics ceramics artist. I was over the moon and without hesitation said YES! At that time I was still working full time in engineering so pottery was something I juggled hard on the side. (I will be posting another blog on that topic!) Fast forward to September, I jumped ship from engineering because I knew in the gut that it was time for a new adventure!!

What fascinates me the most about our work is that beneath the dark, the macabre, the mystical the abstract craft is pure energy, unexplainable love for what we do and who we truly are and our creative expression represents that. Our creations are ever changing and evolving not according to trend but in alignment with our inner tide and this is something I'm very proud of.

On behave of Nocturnal Aesthetics brand, I really hope that you will enjoy series of exhibitions and pop-up events we bring for you.

Stay connected online and in person!
 

Me at NA event channeling my inner Witch with Nina’s winter hat and Misans Raven skull necklace

NA crew day off missing Nina K and Marie in this picture!

The space beyond productivity

The space in between - is probably the most creative space you’ll ever find yourself in. It’s the birth place of endless ideas. Unfortunately in this days and age our attention is being drawn towards content of creation rather than the force behind creation itself. When you find yourself in a new role or new job you want to exert all your power and demonstrate that you can perform well - turn things around quickly, we subconsciously strive to be a production line some sort of a system and over time you may ask does this process really align with you? The space beyond productivity is where you can welcome all chaos and order to take shape spontaneously, and you may not be able to render every single idea to life but maybe you’ll be able to share them with someone you feel would gain benefit from your vision.

Purpose vs Desire

What is known is a past, what is unknown holds all potential for you to tap into. How do you tell which is which? The other day I had a really insightful conversation with my friend over some Vietnamese food and he mentioned that ‘a purpose should feel like a ‘pull’ and not a ‘push’ , that really resonated with me!! With desire you are already or subconsciously expecting an outcome hence the desire is known, whereas the purpose is simply just a pull into the Unknown. Purpose is permanent and is spirallic in nature, desire is changeful and in many instances appear illusory.

Self mastery

You will probably come real close to experiencing perfection once you are able to let go of any ideas of what perfection may look like. This is something I had come to realise along the way of learning how to love my failures. Especially in ceramics art where there are rooms all sorts of failure to happen, every seconds counts, the unknown of the firing, the cracks, . Understanding your progression and pace is key to your self mastery. Reminding yourself that stopping, resting, withholding your creative power is an art too. 

‘A master is not the one who knows the angles of a perfect strike, or the one who strikes perfectly seven out of ten times. A master is the one who executes perfect strike at will’ - Kunal

Focus

To stay focus is to allow yourself to be in some sort of rhythm of work that you truly enjoy. Whether you are an artist, a maker or any professional It doesn’t really matter how long you’re going at it at something as long as you are totally there. Fun often equates to focus. 

As I recall the time when I was starting out in pottery, I always caught myself hopping from one idea to the next, ‘I have to make the tallest vase’, ‘I have to make the perfectly round bowl’ - these are all the things mind will tell you and in the end they are simply distractions from what is unfolding right in front you. 

“To slow time down, practice enjoying the moment. It is where we spend our entire lives.”- Wu Wei