The Sarnia Journal has partnered with local photographer Art Connolly to feature his captivating “Humans of Sarnia” series as he delves into the lives and experiences of everyday people in Sarnia
When you first meet Ciara Roebuck, what strikes you most is her calm presence—thoughtful, steady, and warm. She carries herself in a way that feels both grounded and creative, as though her art is not just something she does but something that lives in her. For her, creativity has always been there, tucked into the corners of childhood books and expressed through sketches of the natural world.
Ciara was born in Sarnia, but her father’s career as an ironworker meant that her family’s roots spread across different cities over the years. Moving could have made things feel unsettled, but her family—her parents and two sisters—remained her anchor. “We’ve always been a close-knit family,” she says. “Those who have branched away from the family inevitably find themselves coming back. We do spend a lot of time together.” That closeness has shaped Ciara’s sense of identity: no matter where she goes, family is home.
Her love of drawing began early. “I’m a huge animal person. I would have all the animals in the world if I could,” she laughs. “When I was little, I started with nature books. At first, I would trace the animals I liked. Then I tried replicating them without tracing. That’s how it started.” What began as a pastime grew into something bigger—a quiet companion that stayed with her through every stage of her life.
For many years, art was something she did for herself, a hobby that ran alongside school and work. It wasn’t until the Covid pandemic that Ciara truly began to see her art differently. “Like a lot of people, I suddenly had more time on my hands,” she explains. “I decided to focus on my paintings.” She remembers one piece in particular—a painting of her cat, capturing the intensity of his eyes—that she shared online. The response surprised her. “So many people liked it. Then people started reaching out, asking if I could paint their pets. That was the start of doing pet portraits, which eventually grew into painting portraits of people as well.”
As commissions began to trickle in, Ciara realized her art wasn’t just personal anymore. It was something that connected her to others. “When people trust you to paint their loved ones, whether it’s a pet or a person, it’s special. You’re creating something meaningful for them. It’s a responsibility, but it’s also a privilege.”
Ciara is a proud Anishinaabe artist, and her heritage is something she carries with her in her creative process. With a background in Art History, she specializes in acrylic realism paintings, often focusing on the human form. She explains that her work is shaped not just by the natural world, but also by her own lived experiences—the emotions, challenges, and moments of beauty that make up her life. Her paintings reflect both precision and vulnerability, merging technique with heart.
Interestingly, Ciara’s journey into art wasn’t a straight path. At one point, she thought she would pursue a career in makeup artistry for theatre and film. She attended the CMU School of Makeup Art & Design in Toronto, drawn to the idea of blending creativity with performance. But her curiosity for learning pushed her further. She went on to study art history, first in London, Ontario, and later in Vancouver. “Vancouver was amazing. Everything was beautiful and inspiring,” she recalls. “There was so much energy. I loved it there.”
Yet, despite how much she thrived in Vancouver, the reality of living in one of Canada’s most expensive cities as a student became overwhelming. “It was just too expensive when I couldn’t work full time,” she admits. Eventually, she made the difficult decision to return to Sarnia. Coming back wasn’t just a homecoming, though—it was a turning point. “That’s when I decided to take my art more seriously,” she says.
Now, Ciara views her artistic journey as one of constant growth. She doesn’t see herself as having “arrived” at a final destination, but rather as someone in a lifelong process of learning. “I’m constantly learning. It’s not something where you have this one set of skills and you’re done,” she says. “I think it’s always something that’s going to keep growing.”
Her words reflect a humility that pairs naturally with her talent. For Ciara, art isn’t about perfection. It’s about evolution. Each canvas is a chance to practice, to explore, to reflect. And each finished painting is more than just an image—it’s a piece of her journey, shared with others.
In a way, her story mirrors her art: layers building on top of one another, mistakes turning into discoveries, and each stroke shaping what comes next. Whether it’s capturing the spark in an animal’s eyes, the lines of a human face, or the emotions that linger between moments, Ciara’s work is grounded in connection.
For someone who once thought she’d find her place behind the scenes of theatre productions, she has instead carved out a space where her art is front and center. And like her family—always returning to each other, always finding strength in closeness—Ciara’s art is something she can always return to. It’s her anchor, her expression, and her gift to share with the world.
Spending time with Ciara, you can’t help but admire her openness and sincerity. She is the kind of person who speaks with quiet honesty, who reflects deeply on her experiences, and who is unafraid to admit that growth takes time. Her paintings may capture the likeness of her subjects, but her true gift is the way she captures their spirit. Sarnia is lucky to have an artist like Ciara Roebuck —someone whose talent is matched only by her kindness and her determination to keep growing. You can learn more about Ciara and her work by visiting her website at https://www.ciararayart.ca/.
Humans of Sarnia founder Art Connolly is a man fuelled by curiosity and a passion for connecting with people in Sarnia. Inspired by the renowned “Humans of New York” series, with a camera in hand, he captures the very essence of the individuals he encounters, preserving their stories through his lens. Follow his series on Instagram and Facebook.
