November 19, 2016

Meet Sandy Springs Visual Artist: Razia O’Bryant

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Razia O’Bryant.

Razia, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
Born and raised in Columbia, SC. I remember being interested in caricatures in 2nd grade, I’ve been drawing at least since then. I started taking art serious when I took Photography for the second time my Senior year in high school. At the time I wanted to have a clothing/art store when I graduated college so I decided to major in Marketing at Georgia State University. I never stopped working towards mastering my craft. Now, at 20, I am a freelance Visual Artist (graphic design, custom clothing, drawing/painting), full-time student, and intern for St. Claire modeling agency where I scout and occasionally style for shoots.

Has it been a smooth road?
Art has always come naturally to me. My grandfather was a professional painter and art instructor (although he never got a chance to teach me). I used to battle with being my authentic self. I’m really reserved but the way I dress is not, the way I art is not, the way I create in general is not. My biggest challenge now is finding balance and allowing myself to grow.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and career?
Well, I don’t believe in luck. I believe that God either blesses you with something good or allows you to go through a hardship. But to answer how it has played a part in my life and career, nothing has come easy. I literally have to put in the work for every bit of progress I make, no matter how seemingly minuscule. What I will say, however, is I have been blessed to be surrounded by like-minded people who constantly inspire me.

Do you feel like there are certain traits that increase the likelihood of success?
Consistency. I haven’t scratched the surface in terms of what I plan to do before I leave this earth. But consistency got me this far, and I don’t plan on switching up the game plan. If I’m constantly putting out quality work, I believe my time will come. I want to get to the point where people can’t get away from me, everywhere they look they catch a glimpse of me. When you master that type of consistency, eventually you will stick.

What do you love about our city and what do you dislike?
What I love most about Atlanta is the vast amount of young black creatives determined to leave their mark. When you live in an environment like that, it almost impossible not to stay motivated. It’s almost like the young creatives coming up now are our own support system & when one makes it, we all do. The thing I like least about the city are the superiority complexes. Stay humble, there’s always somebody bigger, better, younger, cuter; and you never know who’s connected to who.

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