Hi, I'm Ciara! Owner and creative director of Stem & Flourish.
I am a self taught hand lettering artist, but by no means a newbie to the world of art. I have always loved creating since I was a little girl. My professional career has led me along multiple artistic paths including being a dance instructor for ages 3-18 and a licensed cosmetologist for 10+ years. I believe one of greatest things about art is that there are no limits to what can be created if you allow yourself to push boundaries and step out of your comfort zone. There is always something new to learn and grow from.
My love for art...
...began when I was in Kindergarten. Little five year old me was so excited to bring home that coloring contest page. I was the shy blonde girl in class, and if I could excel at anything it would be whatever did not require public speaking. I remember the feeling of shock and excitement when they announced I had won, but it wasn't a fancy prize or trophy I was after. My parents taught me that life is not always about winning, but more about working hard for something you can be proud of. That was probably good in this case, because the prize was a box of microwavable popcorn. (This was before the days of kids sporting iPhones in grade school or getting more than one whole dollar from the tooth fairy, so I did think I was pretty cool to say the least.)
Throughout my adolescent years I devoted my spare time to my passion for dance. I have been very fortunate to learn from some of the best teachers and choreographers in the world who I could never thank enough for the discipline and motivation I have today. I’ve been lucky enough to perform in many different shows and competitions across the country, including stints for Disney and So You Think You Can Dance. It is a great pleasure that I have also had the opportunity to teach and share the lessons I learned growing up with students for over 10 years now. Through these experiences I have developed a deep appreciation for the beauty that the creative mind is capable of. I've learned to pay close attention to the smallest details, and that anything can be created with hard work and dedication.
After high school I went on to study the art of hair. I graduated with a license in cosmetology which I have been practicing for over a decade now. There is no doubt that art has completely shaped who I am today, and I look forward to sharing that with you. Thanks for taking the time to check out Stem & Flourish! Be on the lookout for new things coming soon!
Interested to know where the name ”Stem & Flourish” came from?
I love the dual meaning behind this brand name:
stem (n.) the main vertical stroke of a letter
flourish (v.) to decorate or embellish writing with sweeping or fanciful curves and lines
• • •
stem (v.) to arise or originate; to make progress against
flourish (v.) to achieve success