We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Joa Ra. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Joa below.

Alright, Joa thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?

The most meaningful project I have ever worked on is my artistry as a whole. Before I really poured into my work and projects, life felt dull. I wondered through my days looking for meaning and purpose. In April of 2021, I worked on my first creative visual project. This led to another shoot about a month later, and the summer blossomed into many other creative opportunities. Every project energized my spirit and was filled with love. By the end of summer 2021, I began my music career. This brought me a whole new outlook on my artistry and broadened my creative horizons. A few months later, I began my journey in the art of dance. Once again, my outlook expanded and new energies that I had never felt before came to me through dance. Senses of freedom and expression. Grace and bliss. Through the year 2022, I worked on the different aspects of my artistry and released my debut album “Dismembered”. In this new year, there is so much to come. As I unlock the different levels in my art, it unlocks different levels within myself. Each piece I have created, whether dance, music, or visuals, is a part of me. An expression of love and light, even if it may not seem that way.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I began my journey in the arts at a very young age, but I did not consider my works to be art. It was just fun. I loved to write and read poetry while in elementary and middle school, and I would steal my mother’s camera whenever I got the chance to take pictures of anything from my perspective. Throughout my early years, I learned about many different careers and considered many, but never considered a career as an artist. This was probably because the community I lived in did not have many artists or ones that I knew about. After moving to St. Louis at the beginning of the pandemic, I decided to pursue a photography degree at a community college… that did not last long. It simply did not resonate with my soul. At the time, nothing really resonated with me. I was in a gray space. Eventually, I met a music artist who truly inspired me. He kept telling me that “If you believe in yourself, you can do anything.”, which was very cliche. I had heard that a million times before, but there’s a difference between hearing something and truly listening to something. Though the following months were filled with emotional trials, I kept that glimmer of light within my heart, and eventually, it lead me to a sea of creative thoughts and ideas. I began to take my visual art career more seriously, diving into photoshop more and more and studying what makes a photo a “good” photo. I began my music and dance career after never giving either artistry a single thought before. I even taught myself how to use a sewing machine, so that I could alter and make my own clothing for shoots and performances. All of these different outlets have helped me find myself and filled me with an undeniable passion to take my artistry to the next level. This new year will be filled with visuals, dance, and more NEW music! If you’d like to follow my story, see my work, or get in contact with me, you can do so through my Instagram or website! Of love, Joa Ra

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

The driving force behind my art is love. My love for my art, the earth, and the people. Everything as a whole. I find love in my every day, and I only wish the same for everyone and everything. Every photo, movement, and song I have made is filled with my love, and I hope anyone who sees or hears one of my pieces feels this through their experience.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

There was a time when I was severely negative about life. I did not feel joy or happiness very often for anger and spite had hold of me. It got to a point where I felt so low I did not feel like I could fall much further, and it made me realize the only person who could save me was myself. I began my journey upward by being grateful for the small things such as a sunrise or sunset. A bite of a peanut butter sandwich or a cold drink of water. I began to write positive mantras and listen to uplifting music and podcasts. Shortly after I began to read more, meditate and practice yoga. This new energy brought me clarity and feelings of love and appreciation for life. I could not be more thankful for this turnaround in my life. It has taught me much about my inner power.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.stjoara.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stjoara/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCis4mxRHyV5bcrSsH68SKQ
• Other: tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stjoara?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Image Credits
poolday- taken by Elaminnn main submission- taken by Elaminnn elysian- Taken by Braiden Wade