ARTHAGS: Discard life’s compass and lose yourself in the work of Cierra G. Rowe

We are thrilled to present a new artist in our showcased indie artist series, #ARTHAGS. Cierra G. Rowe focuses on art that’s on its own path and takes a transformational approach to dark periods.

Since adolescence, art has been a constant bloom in Cierra’s life and over the years she’s found experimenting with art media to be very beneficial. Restriction is futile, especially when it concerns self-expression. She has always enjoyed diving into anything that allows her to openly exhibit her beliefs and how she feels. Drawing, mixed media, photography… Cierra wanted to explore and get lost in them all. Her current preferred outlet and focus is painting.

Choose 3-5 pieces you really like…

Enchanted Nights

Lately things have not exactly felt enchanting; more the opposite. It is easy to lose your way amidst the thick and sticky fog of confusion, panic, aggravation and negativity. I chose Enchanted Nights because I know how distressing the bad days can be. What do we have to lose by indulging our playful imaginations? It doesn’t hurt to try and spread a bit of magic here and there, which is my aim with this piece. Sometimes I like to stop and get lost in my artwork. This is certainly a painting that I wouldn’t mind losing my compass in.

Architect of the Masochist

Architect of the Masochist is deeply personal. I like to refer to it as the self portrait which I am not yet ready to paint, if that makes sense. Presently I find that many people and artists alike struggle with identity. They want so badly to be who they are but to be without labels. Unfortunately the world will always have a label waiting for you. You are categorized based on trivial observations and those who came before. Anything can be compared to something similar. This painting will look different to everyone. I don’t expect that anyone will see it as I do. Just like me, I see myself and others see something else entirely. This painting is me turning my back on all labels and accepting my view of things.

Visitor

Visitor questions who you invite in to your life and who you leave out of it. One of the figures within this painting is near a candle standing in a doorway. Light within darkness is a common theme that I like to touch on in my paintings. Mostly this is due to dark periods and phases that I endure. I don’t grow fur and howl at swollen moons but I can become self-destructive if I answer what is knocking at my door. I chose Visitor because in a way we are all visitors, and examples of light and dark are everywhere.

Del Soul Buffalo

I have always believed that in art there are no rules, no conditions to align yourself by. Sometimes I have a vision in mind of what I want to capture and other times I allow any and everything to come through and reveal itself onto my canvas. In this piece I did not have a direction and was without aim. It simply happened and upon completion I instantly saw a migration. I remember feeling like a writer while painting this. A story was unfolding and I was enjoying every minute of it. I chose Del Soul Buffalo because I often observe that some artists really are quite hard on themselves. I like to reiterate that it is ok to not have a plan. It is ok to play things by ear, and there truly is no need to insult your own efforts afterwards or beforehand. Del Soul Buffalo is an example of not having a plan and this turned out to be a special piece.

In Deep

In Deep is an homage to romance. Heartfelt embraces, rainy evenings and vibrant classical music are just a few of the many things that inspired this painting. With regard to sound, for me, there are few things more penetrating and stirring than classical music. Songs so rich with sounds that weave stories with their melodies and paint landscapes through their instruments. I cannot help but feel warm, embraced and inspired by the many tales woven through each selection of notes. When I choose to use classical music as narration it almost feels as though I am part of the music and that, to me, adds a bit more life to what I am painting.

What do you aim to capture/reveal/explore in your art? Has this shifted over time?

From day to day my focus shifts. I attempt to catch my racing thoughts like a fisherman catching sea beasts. I fixate on things in order to conquer them and move on. Despite having clear ideas of what I want to paint and sometimes confining myself to a piece, nothing changes my desire to express myself. My constant aim in art is to be truthful and explicit in what I choose to express, and to continue to explore all that creeps into my mind.

Is there a time when you transformed creative ‘failure’ or “I can’t do this” into success?

I have struggled with perfectionism in the past. I understand that ”perfection” is more of a myth than anything else but the idea of messing up was deeply troubling to me; it’s something that began in my childhood which eventually seeped into my art. For a while, I was so caught up in the ”what ifs” that it began to affect how I viewed myself as an artist… which then led to my doubting myself and my abilities.

I remember years and years ago, when I received my first order of canvas panels. I was so ecstatic. I had so many ideas and couldn’t wait to spring out the paint and begin. Then, suddenly, I was overcome with doubt. It honestly just came over me in a wave. I was nearly in tears. I began painting and for some reason I just did not feel happy about it. I felt utterly gutted. Every brush stroke seemed wrong, and I remember feeling like I couldn’t do it.

Eventually I did finish the painting and afterwards I understood that taking my time – both in thought and in painting – was a better way of going about things. Perhaps other creative spirits will connect with those feelings of self-doubt and perfectionism, and have found their own ways to overcome the beast.

Some say that creating art can be solitary. What do you say?

Every artist is different. In my experience, some artists are misunderstood, which leads to them isolating themselves. Some just don’t want to be bothered by others because their craft commands focus. As a young girl in school I was pretty much expected to drop everything and ”fit in”. People were of the mind that I was lonely but in fact I was protecting myself as best as I knew how and I simply did not have interest in cliques. My art was more important to me. I have been called a ‘hermit’ and a ‘home body’ before, but I do not feel alone. Regardless of if anyone can empathize or take the time to understand, it has no effect on my devotion to what I do. I have never been the social type, so there is no loss there.

For the most part I think that every artist, on some level, knows what they need and if they’re comfortable with it, that’s all that should matter.

What are your thoughts on art’s place in society?

Art has been around for a very very long time. It holds evolution, it holds fairy tales and it holds time itself along with many other curiosities. With that being said, I feel that the presence of art is paramount in society. In a world where everyone is yelling and everyone is using their voice to interrupt one another, in this seemingly never-ending argument, art sits above that. Art is a final statement.

Where can people find out more about your art online?

You can find all of my available artworks along with more information about me as an artist here:

With regard to social media, I like showing folks that I’m more than just Cierra the Painter. I’m also a wife, a friend and a generally awkward and fun-loving person who is always glad to build up other artists. Art is for everyone and there’s no reason that we can’t all coexist and be kind to one another and help each other out when needed.