We had the good fortune of connecting with Jociana Sauve and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jociana, what’s the most important thing you’ve done for your children?
I think the most important thing I’ve done as a parent to impact my children has been starting my own business. It takes belief in what you are doing to take that leap of faith. That in itself, says a lot.
I have a teenager and an adult son, so they are a little older. But while they were growing up, they saw me go through many struggles. I experienced many corporate layoffs and resigning from jobs that I was not happy with. There were times of financial instability and uncertainty. Yet, they saw me pursuing my dreams.
Art has always been my passion. I started painting again after many years of not doing so. Friends and coworkers began asking me for commissioned paintings. That sparked a renewed passion for art. At some point, I had a revelation, that I will never truly be happy unless I follow my passion. I went back to school for design and I started having my own art shows. That led me to start Raize Art, LLC.
My sons have seen me up late at night studying and working hard on my business. My sons know that they can achieve their dreams and be successful, no matter what their passions are if they believe and work hard. I am still learning how to successfully run a business and make a living from it. The journey is challenging but very rewarding and most of all, a great example for my kids.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Raize Art was inspired by my own spiritual journey. As I came to a better understanding of the spiritual world, metaphysical phenomena, and my sensitivity to it, it began to influence my paintings.
My goal is to inspire people to expand their consciousness and “raise” their vibration with the energy of my paintings. Through my paintings of angels, auras, and other metaphysical subjects, I hope to get people to consider their own spirituality and the non-physical world around them. Raize Art is also a play on words. In Portuguese “raize” means “root”. I believe that the root of man is spiritual and that we should strive to get back to it. I also explore Afro-Brazillian spiritual practices and those of other cultures that have influenced my spiritual journey. I also do commissioned paintings by connecting with a person’s aura colors and energy in meditation. This energy is interpreted into a painting in which the person can always be reminded of their true nature, beauty, and power. I have found that most people, regardless of their religion or background, are encouraged to be reminded that they are not alone and are supported by an unseen force.
My artistic path has been challenging, mainly because I don’t know the business of art. Museums and galleries have had a history of being for the elite and discriminatory. I have, by no means, arrived at my professional goals and am learning every day how to make this thing work. It is with fortitude and faith that I press on towards the goal of being a successful artist. By sharing my gifts with the world, I hope to inspire others to be better and make the world a better place.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I can’t really say regarding places to eat, because it would depend on their dietary restrictions/taste. But some of my personal favorite restaurants are Farm Burger (Buckhead), Metro Fresh (Midtown), Mojitos (Norcross), and First Watch (Breakfast – Peachtree Corners).
For art, I would take them to the galleries at Castleberry Hills where the largest African-American art gallery, ZuCot Gallery, is located. I also would not let them leave Atlanta without visiting the High Museum. Not just for the art, but for the fact that this Atlanta landmark is used in popular TV series and movies in recent years.
Other cool places to visit would be Ponce City Market, Piedmont Park, and Lake Lanier.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am glad for the opportunity to give a Shoutout to the people who have inspired me throughout my journey. First, I am thankful for my father’s support when I first decided to go to college for art after high school. He didn’t try to talk me out of it (lol), but bought me art supplies, a portfolio, and a subscription to an art magazine. The fact that he supported and believed in me, made me believe in myself and let me know that it was okay to follow my passion even though it was not traditional. Secondly, my brother, Robert Sauve (aka DJ True), has inspired me his entire life by pursuing his own artistic passions. He has always remained true to himself, who he is, and his craft with boldness and resolve. Most recently, he has inspired me to continue to pursue my artistic endeavors and also start the Black Art Outlet. We realized that most people in America, regardless of race, are not educated on the contributions and incredible stories of Black artists. With the recent racial injustices and systemic racism against Black and Brown people coming to light, we thought it would be a good time to tell their stories and offer affordable artwork. It is a work in progress (https://www.raizeart.com/pages/black-art-outlet). So many others have inspired me along the way, so here are just a few: Trei Clark, Amber Klein, Mariam Anderson, Joi Aikens, and so many more. “The Master Key System” by Charles F. Hannel is a book that helped me to visualize and manifest what I want in my life.
Thank you VoyageATL for interviewing me, allowing me this opportunity, and for all you do for the small business community, entrepreneurs, and self-employed.
Website: https://www.raizeart.com/
Instagram: @raizeart
Other: Email: info@raizeart.com Phone: 470-377-1746