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Meet Jociana Sauve of Raize Art in Norcross

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Jociana Sauve.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Jociana. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was born and grew up in the heart of New York City in Manhattan, so I was exposed to a melting pot of different cultures and people from a young age. My mother was an Afro-Brazilian immigrant, so my brother and I grew up immersed in Brazilian culture and language. Everything revolved around good food, music, and dancing. My father was the son of poor farmers who were immigrants from Canada and Ireland. My dad embraced and loved everything Brazilian, so we had and went to a lot of parties. We had a lot of fun growing up and even though we were poor, we didn’t know it.

As a child, I remember being fascinated by color. It had energy and different colors evoked different feelings, as so did people, places, and music. Wherever we went, my mom would make sure my brother and I had pencils, crayons and a drawing pad to keep us busy. I remember trying to copy the paintings that hung on the walls of the homes we’d visit. I was so excited by the fact that I could make things come alive on paper.

I didn’t think anyone could be an artist for a living, so I went to college for communications. But after one semester of school in secluded upstate New York, I felt lost and depressed and decided to come home to figure out what to do with my life. I never forget walking into the School of Visual Arts for the first time. In the lobby was a larger than life painting of a running bride. At that moment, I knew this is what I want to do with my life. I thought, why didn’t anyone tell me about this? There are colleges for artists? So that meant that people could have a career in fine arts? This was life-changing!

After several years that excitement died down when I started a family, worked full-time, and went to school in the evenings. I put school on hold (one year became 20 years) and I started the corporate rat race. After a few years, I decided to move to Atlanta. It was very challenging adjusting to southern culture and not having family support. I continued to work in many corporate jobs over the years, going from job to job, and never feeling fulfilled or passionate about what I did. I was fortunate to have had some jobs in which I could use the graphic design skills I learned in school. This sparked an interest in going back to school and completing my degree. I also started painting again to decorate my house. Soon friends and coworkers started requesting commissioned paintings. I started having solo art shows and collaborating with other artists.

During this time, 2013-2019, I learned to do yoga and meditate and connect with my higher self and guides. I dealt with a lot of anxiety and depression throughout my life, but I have learned and continue to learn about how my mind, body, and spirit work together. Everything has energy, and I have realized that I have always been sensitive to energy. Through meditation, I have learned how to better deal with the energies around me and I now use my sensitivity and intuition as inspiration for my paintings.

In 2017, I went through another one of many corporate lay-offs. My mother died that year as well.When she died, it really made me think about how fleeting life is and how I needed to live my life to the fullest. Since that lay-off, I’ve had the opportunity to work with startups and small businesses doing design. The money wasn’t sufficient, so I got another full-time job. I started feeling that same feeling of being trapped, unhappy, and not on my path, so I left my job. A few months later came the pandemic. It has been scary, but it really made me rely on my talents and passions and follow my lifelong dream of being an entrepreneur.

Has it been a smooth road?
I have faced many obstacles on my journey. I have faced the demons of alcoholism, poverty, depression, fear, and anxiety. This world can be cruel and harsh, and I have learned and continue to learn is that the only thing I have control over is how I react to it. For me, spirituality is the only thing that keeps me strong and grounded. Even though I grew up in the most diverse family and city in the world, I felt and saw the division, hatred, and racism. As a young woman of mixed race, I struggled with low self-esteem because I didn’t look like the models and actors I saw in magazines, tv, and movies. I started to feel like I was less than others or not good enough. It intensified when I joined the workforce. I noticed that some people treated me differently than others. I didn’t know how to deal with it, so I would lash out in anger and quit my job. As I started meditating and discovering myself, it has given me the confidence to be my authentic self and approach life, myself, and others with love and compassion.

We’d love to hear more about your art.
My love for art encompasses all three parts of my business. Raize Art, Raize Design, and Raize Fashion. The time I’ve had to stay home due to the pandemic has allowed me to expand my business into other areas through the internet and social media.

Raize Art – creates original paintings that inspire people to expand their consciousness and “raise” their vibration by exploring the metaphysical and the spiritual. The name of the company is a play on words. In Portuguese, “raize” means “root,” signifying that the root of man is spiritual. Raize Art also explores the roots of spiritual practices in different cultures. Commissioned higher-self and aura paintings are created by connecting with the person’s aura colors and energy in meditation. This is interpreted into a painting in which the person can always be reminded of their true nature and power.

Raize Fashion – I have always loved fashion and shopping. My mom inspired me through her stylish and classy taste in clothes. I love to share the great bargains I find on designer clothes and make them available to people who otherwise cannot get them, especially during the pandemic.

Raize Design – I enjoy branding and helping people’s visions for their business come to fruition visually. Creating digital artwork is also another form of creative expression that I enjoy.

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I believe that as technology grows, so will my businesses grow. As more brick and mortar businesses close, people will do even more online shopping, conduct business online from home, and support small businesses. This is an advantage to artists, graphic design freelancers, and online resellers like me.

I will also be launching the Black Art Outlet soon. The goal is to offer framed artwork by influential Black artists at an affordable price. For more information sign up for my newsletter at www.raizeart.com.

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