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Nazrana Joossab: An artist’s journey to mastery.

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Nazrana Joosab Nazy J CCX Business
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A Foundation in Garment Technology

Nazrana Joossab is on a path to becoming an accomplished artist, but it all started far from the easel. Initially, she built her expertise in garment technology, acquiring a Bachelor’s Degree in Clothing Management, which empowered her to oversee the entire process of clothing manufacturing from design to final dispatch. Nazrana’s understanding of the design process extended to creating patterns both by hand and using digital tools such as Computer-Aided Design (CAD) systems such as Gerber and Lectra.

From a young age the creative in was drawn to everything art. She would find herself wandering through the grand halls of bridal expos and festivals, where cultures came alive. At the Eid and Diwali festivals, she was swept into a world of vibrant silks, delicate embroidery, and patterns rich with history brought from far off lands like India and Pakistan. In that journey she discovered the beauty of cloth and design.

I used to go to bridal expos. So, it was nice exposure to see all of that. There were also festivals, like the Eid festivals, the Diwali festivals, to see all the different clothing and things that they bring in from India and Pakistan and stuff. It was a really nice experience.

To add on to her skillset, Nazrana ventured into the realm of makeup artistry. Her dedication to learning led her to pursue short courses in this field, where she mastered various techniques, ranging from day and evening makeup to special effects. Whether covering blemishes or creating theatrical looks, she found the experience both challenging and rewarding. From face painting, body painting to creating fake scars and tattoos for theatre, her skills in makeup artistry offered her a new medium through which she could express her creativity.

I have also done makeup artistry as well. I did short courses on makeup artistry and I can do everything from day and evening makeup to covering up blemishes and even special effects for theatre such as cuts, wounds, theatrical and body painting.

Venturing into Resin and Photography

Nazrana’s creative spirit drew her from makeup and fashion as she began expanding her portfolio to include original acrylic abstract art, resin wall artwork, making stunning coasters, and home décor items that reflect her refined eye for detail. She integrated her photography skills to showcase her work on social media and created a professional portfolio that has helped cast her as a serious artist, with original pieces that cannot be replicated as she has copyrighted all her work.

Inheriting a Legacy of Creativity

Although Nazrana’s formal journey with art as a business began recently, her love for the craft stretches back to her childhood. Growing up in a family involved in clothing and art, she was constantly surrounded by creative influences. Visits to the National Art Gallery with her father further ignited her passion. While she pursued art up to O-Level, she continued developing her skills independently, creating pieces at home during her spare time, and stopping briefly after she got married. After the birth of her child in 2019, she reignited her commitment to art, gradually transitioning from a casual interest to a full-fledged artistic career.

I was interested in art from a very young age. And I’ve been doing it ever since. I used to go to the National Gallery with my father to see other artists and exhibitions. He taught me how to use sewing machines in his factory. My parents have had a huge influence on my career because they are very artistic. My sister is a doctor but she does art as well because we grew up around it.

Balancing Family and Passion

Nazrana’s journey into art wasn’t a sudden leap but a culmination of years of planning and saving. During her time in South Africa, she took advantage of opportunities to save through in-service training at a clothing company as a Junior Pattern maker and Designer. She also worked as a part-time makeup artist. This allowed her to gather the resources she needed to fund her creative projects. However, upon returning home, her life took a different direction. Marriage and motherhood paused her artistic pursuits, but she never abandoned her passion.

Well, it’s just a lot of saving up, saving up over time, you know. Plus, when I was in South Africa, I was also doing in-service training as a Junior Pattern Maker and Designer, and that helped me to save some money. I also worked on doing makeup for friends and put all that money towards funding my business.

She recalls the hurdles she faced on her path in the form of health challenges and family commitments that demanded much of her attention thus making it difficult to focus fully on her art. In this difficult period she leaned on the “never give up” attitude that was instilled in her by her family. As a mother of a young child, her schedule became complex as she devoted her days to her family, while the night became her time for creativity. Late nights, often until 2 or 3 in the morning, became routine, leaving little time for rest, but she has managed to keep going.

Turning Art into Business

Although Nazrana officially started her art business in 2023, her evolution into a business owner was fueled by a growing interest in her work. Her artistic creations are quickly gaining attention. She began selling her resin art and make-up palettes to friends and family, with some of her work in line to be sent as far as South Africa, the UK and Australia. However, her vision is much bigger than just selling individual pieces. She is working towards expanding her business to cater to different markets by offering customizable art that fits any budget.

I’m trying to make art for the local market. I’m also trying to cut down the cost so that people can buy it at a reasonable price. I’m trying to cater for all. The low, the middle, and the upper market. Anyone who really wants and I am also customizing it so that they can afford it.

She has also been a part of organizations such as ProCrafters and the DSA, which are dedicated to helping small businesses boost their brand exposure, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her engagements have taken her to several notable locations and charity events.

Bridging the Gap: Training and Mentoring the Next Generation

Nazrana’s passion for art is not confined to her personal achievements. She is committed to sharing her knowledge with others, especially young people looking to bridge the gap between passion and profession. Several individuals have approached her for training, and she is open to the idea of guiding others to develop their own creative skills, further enriching Zimbabwe’s artistic landscape. She recognizes the lack of appreciation for art and seeks to address this by creating opportunities for people to engage with it. She aimed to encourage participation in arts and crafts, particularly to help reduce stress levels. By networking with friends, she is planning on organizing relaxing weekend sessions and offering sip and paint activities for both children and adults. These sessions will serve as a means for social development, bringing people together to unwind and foster creativity.

Nazrana believes in giving back to the community through her art sales. She has started donating a portion of the proceeds from each piece to various causes, such as orphanages, old people’s homes, rural development projects such as those giving water access, and animal foundations. Even though these donations are still at a small scale she plans to scale up as the business grows. Her vision also includes supporting skills training in schools, with monthly contributions to different charitable initiatives, ensuring her art helps uplift those in need.

The Future: Dreams of a Gallery Gift Shop

As demand for her work grows, she envisions a future where she can move from her home studio to a physical space such as a gallery or gift shop to showcase the full breadth of her artistic talents. Many potential clients have expressed interest in seeing her work in person, sparking the idea of creating a space where people can engage with her art firsthand in a relaxing atmosphere. Given that she has the ability to cater to different tastes and preferences whether it’s abstract art, home décor, photography, resin art, or makeup artistry, we believe Nazrana Joossab is ready to make her mark in the world.

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