Meet Chiffon Lark

We were lucky to catch up with Chiffon Lark recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chiffon, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?

I really appreciate this question, because I think a lot of Native/Indigenous people who live outside of their communities can resonate with the experience of feeling like an outsider.

It is a very lonely experience, because on one hand – if you live in an urban, ethnically inclusive area, there are not many tribal members or people who will understand your culture, ethics, or perspectives. On the other hand, living outside of the tribal community can also be challenging because you will have a lot of people (even family members) within that community who will judge you in a negative way because you have decided to build your life outside of the places that they are. There are so many assumptions that will be made on your experience by others on both sides, it is extremely discouraging at times to maintain effort in relationships when you focus on that reality.

How I have been learning to approach building my business and moving forward in the teachings that I know, is to seek the unconditional love of the natural world. I have been shown more love from Oak Trees and Mountains than I have from human beings. I ground myself in the acceptance and guidance I have been given by the forests and fields and look for that feeling in all that I do. Perhaps that is why I have walked the path as a Visual Artist/Illustrator. It allows me to non-verbally communicate my experience to the world authentically so that, regardless of others interpretation, I know that my truth was seen. I have been very blessed in that I have found collectors from all over the world that appreciate my art, and feel that the truths of my experiences are appreciated.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

My name is Chiffon Lark. I am a Southern California based Artist and Illustrator who has recently published my very first self authored and illustrated children’s book, I Am.

I have been active as a professional full time artist since 2021. My artistry has allowed me to partner with so many incredible organizations and groups around the world that share the foundational beliefs in preserving the natural environment. Whether this is done through Farming and Agriculture sustainability, or Cultural preservation of Indigenous Language, all of us create a community that seeks to empower and return back to what is most important: preserving what is left of the natural world on Earth.

My Children’s Book, I Am, is a testimony of my desire to continue to spread awareness, education, and connection to our beautiful planet and all the life here on it. This book is also serving as an Indigenous Language revitalization initiative to be used in Language Programs across Indian Country in the United States and Canada (although it is not limited and will also be translated in regions like Iceland and Estonia).

I created this unique project to empower, not just those within my ethnic community, but all the human beings of the Earth. I feel this is a critical time where Indigenous Communities need to feel empowered to be who we are, authentically. There are groups of people who have been fighting to protect the same values and ecosystems that are being targeting by Capitalism around the world who I recognize and know resonate with the message in the book. This project is fully non-profit and compensates program translators who are inspired to work with me on this. I also donate the first 50-100 printed copies to the programs themselves who own the rights to the translated copies as part of the contribution. I believe in keeping language in the hands of the people whose identity is tied to it.

I am so pleased and honored to carry this work, and do it for the future generations.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

This is a good question. I feel like so many people say that having discipline is the most important quality to maintain for success.

But what fuels discipline?

I have been taught that the intention of why you do things is what truly matters. I believe that when you understand and fully align with the reason why you choose to do things, it creates the motivation to continue on that path. One thing I have come to realize is that even if you have the intention to do something – for example, obtain a goal to achieve a particular status, if it doesn’t truly align with what you are meant to do longterm, it will eventually lead you down another path so that you will be redirected. I have witnessed many people, and experienced this myself, that if you keep making the same decisions and choose the same path, you will not feel at peace. I believe that true peace comes with knowing your purpose, and that comes from maintaining an understanding of the truth of who you are.

So my three qualities for myself are: Self Compassion (because how can we accept the truth of who we are without practicing compassion for ourselves and others?), Acceptance (not just of ourselves but also of circumstances outside of ourselves and others), and Love. I added love not just to represent self-love, but so that we can protect what matters in this life not out of fear, but with boundaries that come from love. In my experience, these are the strongest boundaries that protect everything in this life and beyond that serves our greatest purpose.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

Doing exactly what I am doing. Probably more fearlessly and unapologetically.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chiffonlark.com
• Instagram: @chiffonlark
• Facebook: @officialchiffonlark

Image Credits

Derrick Cabico