We were lucky to catch up with Rahmere “Saint” Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.
Rahmere “Saint”, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
At the age of 7, I had already realized that being a creative was my calling. With eyes wide open, I knew that my life would revolve around art. Growing up, my passion for art and design only grew stronger. I vividly remember starting to draw anime and recognizing that I had a talent for it. Despite my foster parents urging me to consider more conventional career paths, such as becoming a doctor, cop, or firefighter, I never wavered from my desire to pursue a creative profession. The idea of waking up every day and creating something new was infinitely more appealing than any other job. As someone who grew up in foster care with my younger brother, I faced my fair share of challenges. However, art always provided me with an escape, a way to express my emotions and thoughts on paper. To me, it was like free therapy.
Rahmere “Saint”, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
So I don’t want this to be a regular interview so let’s break the 4th wall to my readers. How are you doing? ….had a good day? That’s good Phoniex in game 4? Yea I agree lol see now we’re friends. My name is Rah’mere but I go by Saint so let’s try again… my name Is Saint fun fact: the name saint isn’t anywhere in my name it’s like having a secret identity like a superhero Rah’mere is Bruce Wayne while Saint is Batman. Growing up, a lot of people don’t ever really think about what exactly they wanted to do when they got out of college, but at 7 years old, I already knew that I wanted to be an artist because I could draw pretty well. Since then, I had it set in my mind that the only source of income I would make would be from art. The crazy thing is, I hated art classes. You’d think an artist would love being in art class, but it was so mundane to me from elementary up to my college. My view on it, and no offense to anyone that loves art classes, but you can’t teach creativity or shape and mold someone’s creative mindset. Being in art classes, I was always the super confident kid who thought he knew everything and was better than the teacher because it felt like being brainwashed. “This is how you draw this; you should paint like this, etc.” Like no, what if I want to mix yellow and purple because it looks good to me, or paint with my feet? But I soon realized that it’s okay to sit down and learn from more experienced people how to go about things in your creative career.
Since I was 19, I’ve worked professionally as a designer. My first job was at Wier Stewart, probably the best creative firm in Augusta. When I was a freshman, I knew I wanted to work there, but at that time, I wasn’t ready. Thanks to my professor, Miss Rowe, helped me get an internship at their sister company Showpony, which turned into a full-time job at Wier Stewart. Working there felt so refreshing to learn so many new things and be able to create things that the city would see on shirts, billboards, and walls. It was kind of surreal driving down Washington Road, and seeing a billboard I created, haha. I’m very grateful to have worked there, but as time went on, I knew that I wanted something more. And quite frankly, I couldn’t figure it out. So after about 8-9 months, I worked at Wier Stewart, I took on a different job at another design company on a different side of town called Ocozzio, and… it was boring. They primarily focused on medical and stuff like that. So my creative itch wasn’t being scratched, and I used to fall asleep all the time at work because I wasn’t having fun, which led to me being fired. I know, awkward. Then… depression hit because I felt like I was worthless. I guess it was because I wasn’t doing any work. I was creating things for my personal brand, but it wasn’t getting any traction.
So a month goes by, and a job opens up at Allison South, the rival company to Wier Stewart. I felt like Luke Skywalker going to the dark side. All I needed to do was find someone and be like, ” I felt like Luke Skywalker going to the dark side all I needed to was find someone and be like “ I ..AM YOUR FATHER!!!” Working there, I realized that it wasn’t how I wanted to run a company. Too many emotions were mixed with business, and business is always personal. My depression grew because I felt like I still wasn’t in the right place, and I felt like no one listened to or appreciated my creative offerings. They eventually fired me, which was okay because God had bigger plans for me. This was the beginning of my creative journey that just took a turn.
After being let go, I talked with God and told Him that I needed something big. I wanted to relocate and have my art seen by everyone. Then, BOOM, something amazing happened. When I was in college, I won TCSG Georgia Occupational Award of Leadership (GOAL) Student of the Year. Winning this made me an ambassador for technical education, and it came with traveling and a grand prize of a 2021 Kia K5. Yes, I know, a free car! I can be the first to say that I’m the first student to crash a car and get it replaced without anyone noticing. wink wink**
“TSCG reached out to me to speak at the next TCSG event in Savannah, Georgia. With this opportunity came a little bit of celebrity status, to an extent. After giving my speech, everyone swarmed me with compliments and congratulations. But one person stood out in particular. Neil Shorthouse was so eager to talk with me that he pushed through the crowd to find me. He was one of the kindest and pure-hearted people I have ever met in my life. He provided me with the opportunity of a lifetime: to move to Atlanta and work for a huge company, WarnerMedia (Warner Bros. Discovery). It was heaven-sent. He told me that his son was looking for designers and just like that, in January, I packed up and moved to the amazing city of Atlanta. What I didn’t know was that I would be doing work for the NBA, NHL, and MLB. Seeing anything I did on TV or in public was like being able to walk for the first time. Since then, I have found a new version of myself creatively.”
So I don’t want this to be a typical interview. So, like my favorite YouTuber CoryXKenshin says, ‘Grab yourself a Nutrigrain bar, and some snack.’ Okay, let’s jump back in. Now, working at WarnerMedia has changed my life forever. As Ernie Johnson says, this is a ‘Get to’ job. I don’t work a regular 9-5 anymore. I work hours that most people would think are crazy to work or wouldn’t be able to handle. But working those hours, allows me to experience life to the fullest.
Outside of work, my hobby is designing. I have my own design company as a freelance designer called Saintuary Design Co. The mission of this company is to break every rule of design and art, to shift away from mundane things that happen, and. to walk off a cliff blindfolded into a new era of design. As a creative, I provide branding, print, logo, website, clothing, interior, and anything I can design, I can do anything I can draw on, I can do.
What sets me apart from everyone else is that I don’t put myself in a box. I don’t even classify myself as a designer because I do more than just play around in Illustrator and Photoshop. I’m a creative, I view the world through a different lens than anyone else. What else sets me apart is that this is bigger than me. After being in the first part of my career, I feel like as a creative, I followed the rules and stayed in the lines. Now, I’m bored of that. I want to break all the rules and draw over the lines and off the paper.
My goal as a creative is to create a legacy and build for the next generation of creatives. I don’t want to die, and people look at me as just another ‘designer.’ I want to follow in the footsteps of the great Virgil Abloh and leave a mark. Something I’m proud of is that I mess up a lot when I create, but in that mess, I always tend to find the beauty behind the madness. No matter the circumstance, if you trust me with your vision, I promise to illustrate a story for you because the slogan of my company is the new superhero of design. Your ideas are safe with me.
Some of my latest work I’ve been proud of is I won a black history t-shirt competition where I recognized a different side of black history the creative side. This shirt is to spark conversation about who is on your own personal Black History Mount Rushmore the shirt is defiantly Virgil inspired which led me to being recognized by Inside The NBA. Some more accomplishments I’m was proud of was being nominated for Atlanta Artist of the Year, being recognized by Metro Booming for designing a poster for his latest album, being not only featured in a magazine but being able to design the cover, back cover and art through out it for Genzine Magazine in Toronto, Canada,
Now on my next Journey you’ve enter into my ” Blue Period” is a contemporary art project that seeks to explore the intersection of fashion, art, and cultural influence through the lens of Virgil Abloh and Pablo Picasso’s iconic Blue Period. Our goal is to create a thought-provoking and visually stunning exhibition that showcases the enduring impact of these two creative geniuses and their enduring influence on contemporary culture.
By bringing together a diverse range of media, including painting, sculpture, installation art, and fashion design, “The Blue Period” will offer a unique perspective on the relationship between art, fashion, and cultural significance. Through this project, we aim to engage and inspire audiences of all ages, backgrounds, and interests, and to encourage a deeper appreciation for the transformative power of art and creativity. So, this will be a unique and innovative project which will engage and inspire the audience.
Coming to Atlanta August 2023
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
The mission is to embark on a new narrative where free thinking inspires and transforms the normal ideals and forms of art/design in the future.Which is that the age of imagination is the product of reality im driven by my dedication to my craft. The mission is to cultivate creativity in others, and help others execute their crafts to the best of their abilities. My Goals is to inspire the next generation, igniting a passion for creativity that will drive them to reach new heights. I believe in breaking the rules and pushing the boundaries of art and design to create a new era of innovation. The vision is to empower future creatives to pick up the baton and continue the race, fueled by their own unique perspectives and ideas.
Through art and fashion, we strive to showcase the limitless possibilities of human expression. I want to challenge the status quo and redefine what is possible. By doing so, we hope to encourage others to do the same and to discover their own creative potential.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
As a creative, one of the most fulfilling aspects of my work is the freedom it provides to express myself in all of my shapes and forms. My passion for creating art is not just a hobby or a job, it’s a way of life. It allows me to delve into the depths of my being and manifest my innermost thoughts and emotions into something tangible and meaningful.
For me, the canvas is a therapeutic space. Whether it’s through a brush stroke or a digital render, every creation is a piece of my soul that I’m sharing with the world.
But the true essence of my work lies in its impact on others. Seeing people react to my art, whether it’s with a smile, a tear, or a moment of contemplation, is a humbling experience that fuels my passion for creating. It’s a way for me to connect with people on a deeper level and make a positive impact on their lives.
The beauty of art is that it has the power to evoke emotion and spark conversation. It’s a way to challenge the norm and push boundaries, to create something that is truly unique and impactful. And that’s what inspires me every day as a creative – the opportunity to break free from the conventional and explore new horizons.
In many ways, my work is a reflection of who I am as a person. It’s a way for me to express my individuality and leave my mark on the world. And while there are challenges that come with the territory, such as the need to constantly innovate and adapt to changing trends, the rewards are immeasurable. Knowing that my art has touched someone’s life and inspired them in some way is the ultimate validation for me as a creative.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Rahmerewilliams
- Facebook: rahmere williams
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
Image Credits
Jayla Mobely Genzine Co Virigil Abloh Inside the NBA The Shaderoom