About

Artist Bio

Ciara Cumiskey (KEER-rah kuh-MIHS-kee) is a visual artist based in West Sacramento, California.

Born in Dublin, Ireland, she moved to the United States before starting school—a transition that sparked her lifelong interest in identity, belonging, and place.

Her work draws from the elegance of historical art movements such as the Renaissance and Art Nouveau, infused with naturalism and energized by the spirit of beauty, dreams, and not-so-far-fetched fantasies. This blend of old and new shapes artwork that often captures fleeting moments of wonder and tranquility, inviting viewers to pause and reflect on the fragile, beautiful aspects of life.

Ciara earned an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design from Norwalk Community College and a Bachelor of Science in Studio Art from Southern Connecticut State University. Alongside her studio practice, she serves on the Board of Directors for Rancho Cordova Arts, helping to foster community through the arts.

When she’s not creating, she enjoys time in nature, photography, historical fiction, birding, and live comedy.

Artist Statement

At the heart of my art lies a sense of wonder—an exploration of fleeting, delicate moments that capture the beauty and fragility of life. My paintings are visual metaphors for the transient nature of existence, each piece reflecting a brief, quiet story frozen in time. While the objects in my work are familiar, they are often placed in unexpected contexts—altered by scale, composition, or relationship—offering a fresh narrative that exists for only a short while before vanishing, like a memory.

I believe that small moments hold immense power. Whether it’s the joy of blowing bubbles or the calm of observing the world in stillness, these seemingly insignificant experiences carry profound meaning. The temporary nature, beauty, and joy of these moments is what drives me, and I use them as a source of strength and resilience, both in my art and in life.

My creative process is a blend of curiosity and calm, as I seek to share moments of peace and contemplation. Whether through critters and bubbles floating in a cosmic space or light around candies, I strive to capture the spirit of a moment and essence with each subject. My work invites viewers to pause, reflect, and find a brief sense of serenity in the present moment.

Ultimately, my goal is to offer a piece of that calmness to others—an invitation to find grace amid life’s challenges, even if just for a moment.