Some of us wish we could paint. Or write. Or have a great eye for photography. Ciera McElroy, our featured Artist for September, can do all three and more! Let us introduce you to this young Lake Nona native who bursts with creative energy in multiple art forms that we all can appreciate and enjoy.
Nonahood News: What drove you to become an artist?
Ciera McElroy: Art runs in the family. My grandmother was a professional artist. My mother taught art class out of our house when I was growing up. Now, as a multi-passionate creative, I’m so thankful to spend my days doing what I love! My work includes writing, graphic design, photography, and, of course, painting. I’m very interested in what’s called the “sacramental imagination” – or a way of understanding God’s presence in the world through the material world. I’ve found that painting is calming and meditative for me – a welcome break from working at my desk.
NHN: When did you realize creating art was your passion?
CM: I’ve always known that I was drawn to creative fields, but it took a long time to call myself an “artist.” Writing was my first passion. And though, yes, I work as a professional writer and I’m revising my first novel, I never felt comfortable with branching out professionally into other art forms. But one of the best pieces of writing advice I received came from my writing professor Nicole Mazzarella. She said that if all you do is “your one thing,” then you’ll burn out quickly. So try other art forms. It will refresh your soul, your creative spirit, your mind. Since completing my Masters of Fine Arts, I have exploded with creative energy. I’m allowing myself to paint beautiful things, to create both visual and narrative art. And while it’s been therapeutic and fun – and even exhilarating when I sold my first painting – it also freed me from tying my identity too closely to my profession.
NHN: How often do you find yourself creating art?
CM: I try to create every day, though I do go through seasons of high-volume production and then times of artistic rest. Right now, I enjoy painting in the evenings with a glass of red wine.
NHN: How long did it take you to discover yourself as an artist?
CM: I’m always in a process of discovery. I don’t have one “style” – and that’s okay. I’m constantly wanting to push against what I just did in the last painting, which means I’m eager to try new techniques and color palettes. But I will say that a defining moment for me was when I finally put away the brushes and picked up the palette knives! Let’s just say: It was a game-changer in helping me determine my approach to painting.
NHN: Which of your projects would you consider to be your favorite?
CM: My favorite project so far was the collection I did for my first art show, “Flora,” at The Falcon Bar and Gallery. The art show was themed around native botanicals – which was a significant challenge for me as an abstract painter. I found myself drawing from Florida for inspiration in new ways – using the plants, fruit and trees that I remember from my childhood in scenes. The quartet was comprised of stylistically diverse pieces – a still life of oranges and blossoms, a geometric palm tree, a coastal landscape, and abstract tropical flowers.
NHN: Which of your projects were the most time-consuming/challenging and why?
CM: I’m a big fan of “The St. John’s Bible.” If you don’t know, it’s a hand-tipped Bible that combines Orthodox iconography with modern art in a beautiful and worshipful parade of color. So I challenged myself to try creating a modernized rendition of classic religious art. This was easily my most challenging piece! Using professional painting software on my iPad, I hand-drew a portrait of Mary, using a warm color palette and impressionist textures. It took hours upon hours to get the face right and to find that balance between classical imagery and my abstract flair. But now “Magnificat” is one of my favorite pieces. My favorite detail is the hand-written verses to Mary’s prayer that I wrote into her veil.
NHN: What are some of your dream projects?
CM: I have always dreamed of doing a mural someday, perhaps inspired by the bold botanical prints put out by Rifle Paper Co. I really love their bright florals!
NHN: What serves as your inspiration on a day-to-day basis?
CM: One of my main sources of inspiration comes from literature. For example, one of my favorite pieces is a rich floral still-life called “Clarissa.” Hidden in the lower right-hand corner is the opening line of Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway: “Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.”
NHN: Future goals/plans?
CM: I hope to continue painting and finding ways to integrate my different artistic loves: writing, photography, and acrylics. I’ve given some thought to illustrating my own children’s book or writing a graphic memoir – but for now, I’ll stay focused on finishing my novel and painting abstract scenes. I’ll also continue to pursue art shows in the local area and support other Orlando-based artists.
For more about Ciera McElroy and her art, visit https://www.cieramcelroy.com/.
