We were lucky to catch up with Ciara Bird El recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ciara, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

I really love this question because I think it actually crosses my mind at least weekly, if not every few days. I absolutely love being a creative and getting paid to make art. It’s something I’ve done since I was a child and it is amazing that I can support myself and my children doing something that comes so naturally to me.

…Yet on the flip side, I personally am not yet replacing my contracted income from my own personal creations, passion projects, etc.

I specialize in creative direction— being commissioned to create visuals for existing brands, or to hold space for new brands to explain what they would like or need and bringing that idea into reality through identity design, brand styling and mood boards.

In the most beautiful relationships, the client trusts my vision and we flow through everything effortlessly, aligned in concept, vibe, and details, landing on something unique. In the more complex ones, the client is not sure what they really want, jumps around trying to duplicate things that are already being done. And the worst, the client is just looking for a hand to execute their own exact ideas, which often feels forced and makes me repel the process.

Would I be happier if I only created for one brand — for my own brand — or if I moved into an entirely different career role? That shift may be coming up for me in the next few years as my interests and style shift and evolve. Even so, I actually don’t think it would last, there would always be a new idea that sparks the spiral of creation from myself, an old friend, or a new project calling.

It would be like telling an architect they can only work on one building — or they go and become a librarian, but then can’t stay away from the architecture section or become a chef and can’t stop sketching on napkins.

There are two quotes I really have always loved about being a creative…

“Beware of artists. They mix with all classes of society and are therefore most dangerous.”— Queen Victoria”

“What is it about art anyway that we give it so much importance? Artists are respected by the poor because what they do is an honest way to get out of the slum using one’s sheer self as the medium. The money earned, proof, pure and simple, of the value of that individual, the artist. The picture a mother’s son does in jail hangs on her wall as proof that beauty is possible even in the most wretched. And this is a much different idea than fancier notion that art is a scam and a ripoff. But you can never explain to someone who uses God’s gift to enslave, that you have used God’s gift to be free.” — Rene Ricard, Basquiat (1996)

As artists we can always find a way to make money from our work, but sometime it includes a tiny piece of our soul.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a multi-hyphen designer that offers bespoke creative direction, life design, energy guidance and spiritual development for those in pursuit of their personal legend. My process includes holding space to bring forth your ideas, create alignment and actualize creation— so that you may come into full activation of your sacred purpose and vision.

This is the best way to describe my work over the last few years. I also moonlight as a natural healing practitioner, candle maker, diviner, and almanac printer while chasing my two boys across Bali (at the moment).

I’ve been an artist for as long as I can remember and began designing right away after graduating from FIDM with a degree in graphic design in 2010. I’ve been working remotely as a digital nomad since 2016 — prior to this I was in design studios and at the Bungalow in Los Angeles, while also working from home on freelance projects. Now I spend about 6-8 months out of the year traveling.

I just became a Kundalini Yoga teacher as well, so I’ll be adding that to my list of offerings in one way or another… which leads back to the original question.. if I would prefer to have a regular job.

We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I think they are an incredible asset… and that we are just scratching the surface of what they will become. Much more than just images, music, books, courses, etc. I am really obsessed with everything related to the blockchain technology and cryptocurrency… as creatives we must start embracing the future, while finding ways to remain grounded.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Seeing something you created come to life. The activation of the creation. A piece of jewelry or clothing being worn. A logo applied to the glass of a studio, someone reading a book, seeing your kids running around having their own experience.

There is an indescribable high that comes with giving birth and I think that my branding process creates a very similar energy. I give birth, or assist in birthing several times a year (perhaps I could be a design doula). It is a really unique experience to have the responsibility and opportunity to help others create their dreams, when building new brands and continuing on when we create new things each season.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ciarabird.com
• Instagram: @ciarabird
• Other: sesenmoon.substack.com * I’ve just started posting here weekly about a month ago, but plan to keep it up for at least a year.