Check Out Chitra Sharma’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chitra Sharma. 

Hi Chitra, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up in London and went to an art college (Central Saint Martins) there. This was very much off the beaten path for a British Indian girl at that time, and I had to convince my family that it was really the only option for me. After spending a summer in India in my teens studying block printers, weavers, and dyers doing amazing work, I fell in love with the idea of becoming a Textile Designer. I did a BA in Textiles and Fashion at the Winchester School of Art but found it really hard to find paid work in the textile world as a new graduate. Everyone wanted free work! So, I ended up working a series of jobs in multiple creative fields. I worked as an art editor on a small magazine, an art researcher, a fashion stylist, and a muralist. I also volunteered with kids a lot and realized that I really enjoyed that most of all, so I went back to college and trained as an art teacher. 

Shortly after training as a teacher, I fell in love with an American, got married, and immigrated to Northern Virginia. Once here, I worked as a high and middle school art teacher at the Washington International School in DC and absolutely loved it. However, after my second child was born, I found it increasingly difficult to commute to DC. I wanted to spend more time with my children, and I began to increasingly miss my own practice as an artist. 

I started my own company, Noctiluna, in 2012 as a way to satisfy my creative needs, and have more control over how and when I worked. With Noctiluna, I went back to my roots as a textile printmaker. I screen print and block print a collection of products for kids (as a big kid myself, I find it easier to design for children than adults). 

Noctiluna is a multidisciplinary business, and every summer I pause my printing for a month to run a Visual Arts summer camp for kids, in Vienna VA. I started off printing on my dining table and packaging goods in my living room, but in 2018 I built my own studio above my garage. During the pandemic, I started painting on canvases and making thread art, because of the new space I had. 

Noctiluna is still a one-woman business, but it’s a one-woman business with a lot more space to grow now. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It was challenging to start a business with two young children, in a country where I was still learning how things work. As first-generation immigrants, we don’t have close family nearby and I felt as though I was starting from scratch in many ways without a strong support system. The business has grown slowly, because I just could not put in the hours at first, and needed to balance its needs with those of my family. That’s okay because the gentle growth has given me the time to really improve my craft. 

Over the years I have built up a supportive community around me, including fellow makers and artists, and things have gotten much easier. That is what has helped me through the pandemic so far. There was a point where I wasn’t selling anything at all and had lost all focus. I got back on my feet by collaborating with a fellow maker, and it has been an inspirational experience. 

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I design and hand print clothes and textiles. I am originally a screen printer, but lately, I have been block printing and hand painting fabrics. I am passionate about printmaking and really enjoy every aspect of it. I’m never happier than when I’m at my printing table, and I want that happiness to be reflected in my end products. I’m known for my quirky, silly, minimalist kids prints, and aim to produce products that make people smile. 

Noctiluna is still a small, one-woman business. So, everything is carefully designed, crafted, and packed by me! I take pride in the quality of my printed products. I use good quality textiles and inks, and heat set each print so that they have long lives. Noctiluna products are meant to be heirlooms that can be passed on from child to child, and family to family. We produce slow fashion that lasts long and is kinder to the environment. I source clothes from ethical companies and am constantly striving to be as eco-friendly as I can when producing work; reusing and repurposing materials as much as I can. 

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I don’t know how surprising this is but I am a geek. Mostly a history geek. I love watching history documentaries and discussing the Vikings, or factors that started the Great War. I bought a book all about the history of pockets, and my kids thought it was the most hilarious and ridiculous thing of all! 

Pricing:

• Onesies: $25
• Baby rompers: $30
• Kids Tees: $30

Contact Info:

• Email: chitra@noctiluna.net
• Website: https://noctiluna.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noctilunakids/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/noctiluna

Image Credits
Stacey Vaeth Photography
Noctiluna Summer Camp