Check Out Sierra Siler’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Siler.

Hi Sierra, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started drawing in 2011, with a focus on people, portraits, and semi-realism. In May of 2020, I graduated cum laude, earning my bachelor of arts degree from Tuskegee University in three years. I was the University’s first student to obtain a Visual Arts degree since their founding in 1881. Shortly after graduation, I taught K-8 visual art in Cleveland public schools from 2021 to 2023. Before Tuskegee, I graduated from Cleveland School of the Arts as a dance major in 2017. I’ve studied ballet, modern, and other styles for nearly two decades. My art is often inspired by dance and the human form. I taught myself digital art in 2019, freehand drawing on my phone from my dorm room for hours. After weeks of daily practice, I began selling prints and greeting cards on campus. I then founded my online print shop on June 19th, 2020. My business now partners with retailers like SHEIN and Stupell Industries. In 2025, I returned to education as a general early elementary teacher. I now continue to teach, design, and create public art in the Cleveland area.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The greatest challenges lately have been choosing a path: fine art vs. commercial, digital vs. traditional, commissions vs. licensing, or even painting vs. drawing. I have a deep passion for many visual art forms, and it can be a challenge for artists to narrow their commitments in the beginning stages.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create digital illustrations to design home decor and apparel for Etsy, Shein, and Stupell Industries. I aim to represent Black culture inclusively, and highlighting the features I find overlooked and unconventionally beautiful such as short hair, natural hair, darker complexions, plus sizes, and different skin types and conditions.

We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
In 2023, I left teaching and began to pursue art full time. This was very nerve-racking, because I’d never been an entrepreneur and didn’t know any personally. In that time, I learned a lot. I realized what I wanted out of life and how I wanted to fulfil my purpose. I deeply missed teaching and returned the following year with a better balance of my business and traditional employment. I love both too much to only do one or the other at the moment.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://sierrasiler.com
• Instagram: @sierrasiler
• Twitter: @sierrasiler
• Youtube: @sierrasiler