Milla Istomina was born and raised in Kazakhstan and moved to Los Angeles in 2013. She took her first pottery class in 2018 at the Barnsdall Art Center and what started as a weekend hobby quickly turned into a monthly membership at a communal studio. Once Mist Ceramics was born, experimenting with clays, techniques, glazes and styles had begun. Like many people across the globe, Milla lost her full time job with an arts organization when the pandemic struck. It was a sign to take risks and carve a path for herself, so Mist Ceramics slowly became Milla's main project. Mist Ceramics practice explores various techniques and genres while executing the never-ending battle of trained wheel thrower versus self-taught hand builder.

When we asked about her inspiration behind the small houses and buildings here is what she had to say:

"I have a sort of obsession with pretty doors and windows, so out of there springs my love for dwellings. Just looking at buildings and wondering what sort of life is the life of their inhabitants and what they might be doing at the moment is always a pleasure for me. I love buildings with character, so the more weather beaten or dilapidated they are, the more charm I find in observing them, finding in their imperfections the signs of life and time.

Each item is sculpted by hand and no two are alike."