Meet Ciara Johnson

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ciara Johnson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ciara below.

Ciara, appreciate you making time for us and sharing your wisdom with the community. So many of us go through similar pain points throughout our journeys and so hearing about how others overcame obstacles can be helpful. One of those struggles is keeping creativity alive despite all the stresses, challenges and problems we might be dealing with. How do you keep your creativity alive?

In a self accounted way, I keep my creativity alive by letting my surroundings, experiences, and emotions fuel my work. Emotions are a huge part of my process—it’s like alchemy. Whatever I’m feeling—joy, frustration, calm—it transmutes itself into something visible and tangible through my art. This emotional connection gives my work deeper meaning and keeps it authentic and alive.

A key part of my process is also knowing when to take a step back. Giving myself space to rest, helps me recharge and gain fresh perspectives. Those moments of pause allow my creativity to reset, so when I return, I feel more grounded and inspired. I believe creativity thrives when it’s given room to breathe and grow, both through reflection and connection with others.

In a collaborative sense, keeping my creativity alive comes from a meaningful ritual—spending time on the balcony with my boyfriend and creative partner, Patrick “Embryo” Tapu. Almost every evening, we sit together, talk about our day, share ideas, laugh, and naturally, we start coming up with scenarios, jokes, and creative ideas. And sometimes we just sit in silence. Our moments are full of love, affection, and encouragement, which really fuels my creativity.

We’ve had so many great ideas during these conversations that I’m planning to get an old-school tape recorder to capture them all. It’s like our own little roundtable where we blend our creative minds. We inspire each other, and it’s a gift to have that kind of mutual creative support.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m Ciara, the creator of Rulerless. As an artist based in Los Angeles, my work is deeply rooted in transformation—both emotional and creative. Over time, creating freehand geometric shapes without a ruler has come to symbolize much more than just an artistic technique; it’s a philosophy of life. It reflects the idea of living without strict boundaries, trusting an internal compass, and allowing the natural flow of life to guide you in ways that only you can understand. This mindset informs both my art and how I navigate the world. I have now come to a point in my life where I can reflect and realize, long before the conception of my art, I have always been Rulerless because of my unusual upbringing.
Being “Rulerless” is about embracing the unknown, trusting in the process, and remaining true to oneself despite external pressures.

For me, art is a form of alchemy. I take complex emotions and experiences—whether it’s joy, frustration, or calm—and transmute them into something meaningful and tangible. This act of creation helps me process life’s complexities and gives my work a deeper, authentic connection. I believe creativity is most alive when it’s rooted in emotion and growth, which is why I allow my work to evolve naturally, without forcing it into a specific mold.

Beyond the art itself, what drives me is the desire to create something lasting and meaningful. I want Rulerless to stand for more than just products—it’s about a lifestyle that reflects thoughtfulness, craftsmanship, and moral values that make sense to the self. I’m currently focused on expanding the brand in a way that stays true to this vision. While I began with original artworks, I’m now working on offering a range of products, from apparel and textile designs to home goods, all created with the same attention to quality and integrity.

I’m finalizing important foundational factors, ready to carefully curate and build a strong team and preparing to move toward small-batch releases that prioritize ethical production and craftsmanship, reflecting my belief that creating meaningful work isn’t about mass production but about curating something special and lasting. Rulerless is growing into a lifestyle brand, and I’m excited about its potential to inspire others not only through art but through the way we live and connect with the world around us

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, the three qualities that stand out as being most impactful would be resilience, adaptability and trust in my intuition.

Art, especially in Branding, is a lot like life and it isn’t a straight path. There are moments of frustration, setbacks, and unexpected challenges. In my case, the journey included brain surgery and a complete reevaluation of my direction. But resilience allowed me to return to my art with even more intention and purpose. My advice for anyone early in their journey is to embrace the obstacles as opportunities to grow. Learn how to bounce back stronger, and don’t let challenges take away your passion. Every detour teaches you something valuable, even if it doesn’t feel that way in the moment.

My journey took many twists, from a career in the coffee industry to becoming a mother, to my illness, to fully returning to my art. Being able to adapt to new circumstances and ideas was critical. I’ve learned that creativity thrives when you’re willing to shift your approach, experiment with new techniques, or pivot your direction. For those starting out, I’d say: Don’t box yourself into one identity or way of working. Stay open to learning, exploring, and changing your path. Adaptability will keep you fresh and open to the possibilities you can’t yet see. You have to drop the fear and trust.

A major part of my art is working freehand—trusting my internal compass to guide the creation of geometric patterns without rulers or strict boundaries as I let myself disappear in the actual act. This philosophy is not just a creative approach, but a life one. Trusting yourself, your instincts, and your unique vision is key. The need for external opinions and direction will eventually kill your individuality and creativity. For anyone beginning their journey, I’d advise you to tune in to that quiet inner voice. It knows more than you think. Cultivate self-trust and don’t be afraid to follow your gut, even when it feels risky or uncertain. That’s often where the magic happens.

To develop these qualities, give yourself room to fail, reflect, and grow. Challenge yourself, find someone that can be a soundboard you can trust, and don’t shy away from discomfort. Over time, these qualities will not only guide your creative work but help shape the direction of your journey in ways you couldn’t have predicted.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

The past 12 months have been transformative for me. After spending the last four years in an incubating period, nurturing my self-care and developing Rulerless in the background while the world seemed increasingly chaotic, I’ve emerged from that “seed-like” phase. I focused heavily on building a strong foundation for myself and my brand, ensuring that I stayed aligned with my vision while the world and my friends changed shape and shifted around me. That period of introspection and growth allowed me to deepen my connection with my self. I was very cautious about my own steps forward as to not participate in anything that didn’t feel right for me or my creativity and that ensured I was building something meaningful.

This year has been about stepping out into the world again. With my beloved, I’ve started meeting new people, making connections, and surrounding myself with like-minded individuals who share my passion and creative energy. It’s been incredibly fun and refreshing, and I’m seeing the seeds I planted over the last few years begin to blossom in real, tangible ways. Being around this new network of inspiring people with my man has fueled my creativity and contributed to positive personal and professional growth. I’m now able to see myself and Rulerless evolve and take shape in ways I had only envisioned during those quieter years of incubation.

In short, my biggest area of growth has been moving from that period of self-reflection and nurturing into a phase of active connection and expansion. I’m no longer just planning—I’m experiencing growth as it happens, and it’s been a rewarding shift.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/rulerless and https://www.rulerless.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ciarabella/ and https://www.instagram.com/rulerless.original/

Image Credits

Patrick “Embryo” Tapu : @directedbyembryo