Sierra Truong
Sierra is an artist, meditation teacher, and writer based in Auckland, New Zealand. Originally from Hanoi, Vietnam, she carries the influence of Eastern philosophy into her present-day work.
Her meditation practice began in her early twenties, leading her to spend four years on the spiritual path of Bhakti yoga. Meditation and mindfulness remain her foundation, guiding her approach to life and work. Sierra’s mission is in supporting others to embrace a present and joyful way of living in the world, while not being attached to the outcome of any endeavors.
In 2022, she founded The Grounded Circle, a community dedicated to wellness through the grounding practices of slow living, meditation, cha dao (the way of tea), and colouring.
—
Hi Sierra! It’s so inspiring to see how you bring art, meditation, and community together. I personally love your colouring books and it’s such a joy to experience your creativity.
Going from architecture to full-time art and meditation is such a big change. Could you tell us a bit about how that came about and how you knew it was the right move for you?
I’ve always loved architecture, interior design, and anything creative (I still do now). But over time, I found myself drawn to a very different artistic path, to be specific—fantasy art. I actually committed to meditation already back when I was still in architecture school. The practice of meditation helped me to navigate all those years doing my Master degree with a lot of stress and loneliness of moving to New Zealand on my own.
After nearly a decade of working in architecture and interior design, I decided to start my own art business in 2020. This gave me the freedom to fully weave meditation and mindfulness into my work. I knew it was necessary to follow what I had always wanted: to work for myself and bring my own ideas to life.
Meditation and mindfulness play such a big role in your life. How do these practices influence the way you approach your art and the way you connect with the people?
These practices support me in connection. The connection within myself and with the world around me. I have to say that I understand, accept and love myself more and more the older I get thanks to meditation and mindfulness practice. And I bring a lot of that into my approach to art. Art for me is both an escape and a return. An escape to a wonder, fantasy land through lines and storytelling. And a return to myself, my inner sanctuary.
Could you share a moment when art or meditation helped you navigate a challenging period in your life?
Around 2022, I started experiencing anxiety almost on a daily basis. I had anxious thoughts and lots of worries growing up, especially since my mum was like that too. But those anxious moments were rarer when I had my finances covered with a well-paid 9-5 job. This became a problem when I started running my own business and struggled to cover all of my basic expenses. 2022 and 2023 were difficult in terms of my anxiety, and it was worse as I also started attracting the wrong type of people around me to do business with. In 2023, I went to a 10 days Vippassana silent retreat. During the 10 days of battling with my own thoughts. I heard the call for me to live my life differently. Living slower, with intention, and inviting more joy into every day became something that I began to practice as soon as I got home.
What helped me was a whole lifestyle change, with meditation/mindfulness and art being the two practices that ultimately lifted my anxiety in the end. I reduced 50% of my workload, cut off all the draining connections to make space for more joyful and meaningful connections. My days become a lot more simple and straightforward.
My personal quote is: “Meditation brings awareness. Art brings joy”. The awareness to start making different choices and the joy to not take life too seriously. I haven’t experienced anxiety since the beginning of 2024. I still have some random anxious thoughts as we all do as humans but when they arrive I have my practices to regulate them.
When you think about living in alignment with your purpose, what does that actually look like in your everyday life?
Going with life at my own comfortable pace. Doing things that bring me joy everyday like art and colouring. And being around people that I love.
How do you define “inner beauty,” and how do your practices help cultivate it for yourself and others?
“Inner beauty” for me is the glow that shines from within us, born from those inner qualities deeper than appearance such as love, self-acceptance,... It’s more about how we feel about ourselves than how people think about our appearance. It’s the quiet confidence of knowing your worth without needing to prove it. It’s the warmth of love and self-acceptance that softens how you see yourself and others. I think this is also the definition for “timeless” beauty.
What I found extremely powerful about the practices of mindfulness, meditation & creativity is that I am constantly practicing to observe my experiences, let go of judgments and go towards joy. It helps taking life less seriously.
How do your meditation and mindfulness practices influence the designs in your colouring books?
I would say meditation and mindfulness have helped me become the artist and author I am today. They shape my approach to working with high standards while also allowing space for rest and reflection. They also guide how I share my story and messages in every book.
What’s one thing you’ve learned about connecting with others through your art or teaching?
The one thing I’ve learned is that real, deep connection requires transparency, kindness and time. We can’t rush the process. If we keep showing up with transparency and heart, everything will fall into place.
Who or what is inspiring you most at the moment?
The Tao Te Ching is my North Star. It deeply informs my approach to slow living, mindfulness, and creativity.
What advice would you give to someone trying to follow their own path or passion?
The one piece of advice I have is to take time to reflect and discover your values.
My own values are transparency, love, and joy. And everything I do is guided by them. Anything I say no to is simply something that doesn’t align. Having these values has helped me make decisions along my path. Whether in business, career, or life itself, it all comes down to decision-making. Whenever I feel down or inauthentic, it’s often because I’ve acted in a way that doesn’t align with my values. I am not perfect by any mean, but having a set of values makes my life feel so much lighter and easier
Sierra's Objects of Inspiration
The first Vietnamese tea set that I bought for myself. It was handmade in Bat Trang ceramic village in Hanoi.
My colouring books which I use almost everyday.
I love the Heritage Slim Dome Ring. Love the simplicity and classy look.
Explore Sierra’s colouring books, designed to inspire calm, presence, and creative joy.
Considered People shares the stories and reflections of those who inspire us, whose considered choices and thoughtful actions ripple outward, shaping spaces, relationships, and communities they touch.