Meet Ciarra Slifer | Artist and Woodworker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ciarra Slifer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ciarra, what led you to pursuing a creative path professionally?
Well at first I didn’t. In fact I was a nurse for many years, studied and became a midwife. Through that I found I truly love to make people smile, laugh, really just to be happy. At the same time I was a hobby painter and once in a while would sell a piece or two. I decided shortly after Covid, nursing wasn’t making me happy. So embarking on an artistic and creative career is truly driven by a deep connection to creating happiness. Through woodwork, through memories and bright colors. I find joy in creating pieces that resonate with individuals, evoking emotions and fostering a shared experience. Through my art, I strive to get people creating and also feel creative by owning a piece of mine. With each stroke and carve becomes a bridge to touch the hearts and souls of those who engage with it.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My artwork is a mix of painting on canvas to cutting, building, and sometimes laser engraving pieces. I specialize in Realism based portraits paintings. However I do offer other services to include handmade gifts, laser engraving, and murals. In the new year I am excited to say I have new ideas I can’t wait to share with the world! I am looking for ways to include some trippy drippy and crazy new artwork into my mix with even more fun pops of color and darkness combined. Think black light art or elegant imagery meets kind of trippy. Possibly harder to explain for me than anything but I do best on visual representation.

I think just being a fun person having fun with customers helps set me aside. I’m not afraid to be me with customers. Professional but also fun and easy to make friends along the way. A lot of my client base has grown because of word of mouth. I have a facebook, instagram, tiktok and they do produce sales and views. However I’ve been able to sell in every state in the USA thanks to word of mouth. That to me sounds like where it’s at.

A lesson that could be taught from this is sometimes marketing on social media isn’t everything. Now, this isn’t to say don’t do it at all because in today’s booming tech world. We need to! However do so with the idea it won’t be a fast or viral experience but rather a tool to grow organically. Be yourself and your people will follow!

My brand is Wandern Forge Studio we believe in Happy Wandering! What does this mean? It means we all are wandering through life and sometimes on autopilot. It’s okay to take a step back and breathe. Take in the beauty of the world and all the beautiful things created for us. Share this happiness with others just as we have and keep on wandering.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I know Broadway is touristy but man, oh man I would take em there first. When we first arrived we went to all the places on Broadway and it was so fun. The rooftop bar with bubbles was probably my favorite as I’m easy to entertain.

Next we would visit the Gulch do a mural hop around the city. I’ve take a camera and my kiddos and we have pictures in front of nearly all of them. It’s a neat experience and again we get to experience others artwork.

When it came to hanging out I’m a family person first and with that most our friends are as well. So the Nashville Zoo and science museum is a good place. You can walk both on a nice day and still probably not see everything. One day at the zoo they had a very large python getting sun on the grass; coolest experience ever!

I also really enjoy all the plant nurseries in the area. If you know me then you know I run Clarksville Bohomies the largest plant group for that are of Tennessee. I am an avid fan of the nurseries from Garden of Babylon to Bates and Hewitt along with some smaller ones around downtown.

So really I think we’d just adventure it all. Plants, science, mural hunting, exotic animal watching and good live music on broadway. Sounds like a good ole time to me.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to shoutout my mom! As a child she always enjoyed my artwork. Though I have some of those pieces even today and they weren’t the greatest. Still she was so encouraging of just how far I could go creatively. When I was in high school she allowed me to take college classes part time and get credits towards a graphic design degree. One she wasn’t so sure of because we didn’t have a computer at the time but after graduation she bought me one. She allowed me to step into a new type of creating and it led me to where I am today. With the amount of tech used in my small business, I couldn’t imagine understanding without that degree. I truly think if she hadn’t believed in me to create I wouldn’t. She was supportive when I told her I didn’t think I could do it anymore. She was supportive when I took up nursing. She truly showed more though when I told her “yeah, I think a small art studio from my home would be great!” after covid started. She saw before me that there was stability and happiness which I’ve strived so long for. So I thank her for everything and love her dearly.

Website: www.wandernforgestudio.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wandernforgestudio?igsh=MTBzeTNpcnNkNTJxeQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wandernforge?mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@wandernforgestudio?_t=8iyQPOcc7dW&_r=1