Following Your Passion | Nicola Gillis | Episode 1123

Nicola Gillis | Episode 1123

Brighton, U.K. based ceramicist, Nicola Gillis makes functional tableware. Nicola takes inspiration from the East Asian use of tableware, a specific purpose for each vessel and where pleasure is drawn from individuality. Although there are commonalities, she does not seek to replicate exact size or marks and embraces imperfection. Shadows and light on daily walks throughout the seasons and the beauty found in degraded surfaces and patina also inform her work. Nicola has developed her interest in ceramics over the past 8 years, studying on the full-time Ceramic Development course at Forest Row School of Ceramics in 2019, and beginning to sell her work in during 2020. Initially using the wheel, Nicola developed her practice to include hand-building with slabs, carving, and coils, all of which she finds to be a slower, more thoughtful approach to making.

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How important is it to reflect on your interests, values, and strengths in order to pursue your passions?

Very important I would say. It wasn’t an easy decision. I mean the fact is I had some money saved up that could allow me to go and do the course. I had worked for three years (2016-2019) just as a hobby whilst doing my job. I knew that I wanted to do it but it wasn’t something that I could jump into just like that. I needed to know that I could make a go of this.

Would it be safe to say that before you fully committed you definitely had a time of exploration?

Absolutely, yes. I think, you know, it’s hard work isn’t it being a potter. It’s really hard work. You’ve got to know that you love everything about it. It’s not something you kind of jump into just like that.

How important was feedback for confirmation as you started to pursue it more vigorously and seriously?

I think if I hadn’t have had positive feedback then I would have just taught people. I would have continued with teaching people starting their journey. It is so important when you are exhibiting your work in person and people tell you how it feels to you about something you have made, when you get notes from something that you sent to someone and they tell you how it makes them feel, it is just…it melts my heart. It makes a huge difference.

Did you have to develop a game plan for getting from A to B?

I didn’t. I mean I had a very vague plan for what would I do after I had done the course. Would I go back to work for someone or would I work for myself? So yes, I had a vague plan that I would teach. That was going to be the way that I was going to bring in money. But other than that I hadn’t planned how things were going to look for me. I just kind of take every day as it comes.

How did taking action and being consistent with your actions play out in getting you where you are today?

It’s everything. I am completely obsessed with clay and making my work. Being consistent and getting in there as much as possible. I will be in there on the weekend, most weekends. And I work long hours. So yeah, consistency is very important.

How important in a person’s journey is it to celebrate milestones and celebrate your progress?

It’s so important. I am actually a member of a group called Connected Artists which is run by Louise Fletcher and Alice Sheridan. They do a podcast. And a really important part of being in that group is celebrating your wins. And I don’t always voice the successes and it’s very easy to skirt over them and just keep working. But it is really important and I’ve started to recognize them and mark them with doing something nice for myself.