Daily Inspiration: Meet Ciera Struble

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ciera Struble

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
When I was little, I spent most of my time with my aunt and uncle and was completely spoiled rotten by them. They gave me every opportunity possible to be creative. Arts and crafts, putting on one woman (or child) fashion shows where they cheered me on, letting me participate in church plays, anything you could think of. My mother also nurtured this creative side with letting me go wild on school projects, sitting me down and making me do creative writing when I was in trouble, and letting me audition for the school shows. My love for art was bigger than life and I’m so lucky to have had such support.
I went through some bad things, I tried to take my life when I was nine and I’ve struggled deeply with depression my whole life, but my art has always been my guiding light.
My favorite teacher, nicknamed H^2, and I built the theatre program at my high school from the ground up along with two of my closest friends A & H.
Soon after I was accepted into AMDA and I left Flint, Michigan behind and started chasing my dreams with all of the support from home.
Seven years later and I’m still here. Auditioning and getting told yes but funding falling through, working two jobs to struggle to pay bills, and as of recently writing and illustrating a children’s book series about trauma.

I hope my art can inspire and help others in the way that it’s helped me.
I want to be the artist that I looked up to when I was in the dark places.
I want to be the one that guides a kid to follow their dreams when things get bad.
So that’s why I keep going, and I will always keep going no matter how many no’s I get.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My mental health has always been my number one struggle and I’ve lost a lot of people along the way, including myself. My biggest road bump was losing my sister in law to suicide. I went to a really dark place mentally, I gave up for a little while after that… but she wouldn’t have wanted my light to burn out so I try to keep shining and I keep her with me always.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I don’t know if I have a specialty, I love all art. Film, theatre, writing, illustration, painting, makeup. I just want to create art that inspires or helps others. I’m most proud of my book for this reason. Lily & her monster is a child friendly introduction to trauma. I hope it can help little ones who have been through scary things like me.

We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Art is what makes the world function.
The film & acting industry took such a plummet during COVID and people were really struggling. We’ve become so reliant on media, however we ingest it, and without it, it seems like people are a little lost.
People like to look down on actors, especially extras or background, but without us, your favorite shows/movies wouldn’t exist and then what would you do if we went into another lockdown. What would you binge then? Art is crucial. Art is irreplaceable.

Pricing:

• Lily & her monster: 10.99
• Lily & her monster e-book: 6.99
• Lily’s monster (book 2): 10.99
• Lily’s monster e-book (book2): 6.99

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.cierapaigestruble.com/?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaY6m6XdAfuxZnPE7Vdlsue2JQtFX5Ms-SqoNG3PhJ4BgccqFfSXyi50TJ0_aem_BLU6jEWfKEOR3rXyw6ZrRw
• Instagram: @cierapaigestruble