The Creative Alchemist

Con mucho mucho mucho amor ♥

Andrew Dean Wright is a poet, digital artist, and photographer based in the Hartford, CT area.

Having taken to poetry from an early age, Andrew’s pieces range from simple exercises in device to pieces penned with the intent to serve as catalysts for discussion and praxis—  with a large focus on freeing ourselves from the things that hold us back from expressing ourselves fully, whether that be from oppressive institutions, or one’s own inhibition.

You can find a selection of his work and keep an eye out for his upcoming work on Instagram at @andrewdeanwrites

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A note about these special episodes: Most if not all of the special episodes you’ll be listening to over the next several weeks will be me interviewing pals that have been storytellers in the past for my show A Little Bit of Death. A Little Bit of Death is an annual storytelling show that centers BIPOC and queer voices around the themes of grief, letting go, and transformation.

This year I was invited to present at a summit pertaining to the work I do with A Little Bit of Death, so I who better to join me in speaking on it than the pals that have gone through the process. I reached out to some and asked if I could interview them on their experience with the show, what impact it had, what they shared, why sharing these stories matter. With their permission, I’m sharing the audio from those interviews I’ll be using for my presentation at the summit. One of the last episodes I had recorded before my latest break was about following and following through on your wild ideas. A Little Bit of Death was one of those wild ideas for me and it’s blossomed since the first show 7 years ago. This year, it’ll be held over 2 nights in Hartford, CT at Carriage House Theater on the evenings of Friday November 11th and Saturday November 12th. I thought I’d drop these special episodes leading up to the show this year and I hope you enjoy them and, obviously, join us at the show!

Through writing, content creation, youth development, consultation, workshop facilitation, and much more, Patrick (he/him) helps people find the inherent value in their stories confronting the ever-present danger of silence. A Jamaican, who immigrated to the States at fifteen, he is currently honing in on translating his experiences as a recently naturalized Black American - in a country that hunts them for sport.

Patrick is an author; books I’ve Just Got These Words Fam… and Jesus is Black. explore the aforementioned themes. His left shoulder has also made an appearance on GQ.com.

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A note about these special episodes: This year I was invited to present at a summit pertaining to the work I do with A Little Bit of Death, so I who better to join me in speaking on it than the pals that have gone through the process. I reached out to some and asked if I could interview them on their experience with the show, what impact it had, what they shared, why sharing these stories matter. With their permission, I’m sharing the audio from those interviews I’ll be using for my presentation at the summit. One of the last episodes I had recorded before my latest break was about following and following through on your wild ideas. A Little Bit of Death was one of those wild ideas for me and it’s blossomed since the first show 7 years ago. This year, it’ll be held over 2 nights in Hartford, CT at Carriage House Theater on the evenings of Friday November 11th and Saturday November 12th. I thought I’d drop these special episodes leading up to the show this year and I hope you enjoy them and, obviously, join us at the show

Chion Wolf (she/her) is the host of Audacious on Connecticut Public Radio, where she explores our human conditions, and challenges the limitations of our personal perspectives. She can be found on all social medias @chionwolf. 

A note about these special episodes: Most if not all of the special episodes you’ll be listening to over the next several weeks will be me interviewing pals that have been storytellers in the past for my show A Little Bit of Death. A Little Bit of Death is an annual storytelling show that centers BIPOC and queer voices around the themes of grief, letting go, and transformation. 

This year I was invited to present at a summit pertaining to the work I do with A Little Bit of Death, so I who better to join me in speaking on it than the pals that have gone through the process. I reached out to some and asked if I could interview them on their experience with the show, what impact it had, what they shared, why sharing these stories matter. With their permission, I’m sharing the audio from those interviews I’ll be using for my presentation at the summit. One of the last episodes I had recorded before my latest break was about following and following through on your wild ideas. A Little Bit of Death was one of those wild ideas for me and it’s blossomed since the first show 7 years ago. This year, it’ll be held over 2 nights in Hartford, CT at Carriage House Theater on the evenings of Friday November 11th and Saturday November 12th. I thought I’d drop these special episodes leading up to the show this year and I hope you enjoy them and, obviously, join us at the show

On this episode, I answer the last question (for now) from my Patrons on Patreon - what goes into the art that I make? 

Tune in. Subscribe. Become a supporter! 

On this episode we have a returning guest: THE Andre Rochester. 

Andre Rochester is a Fine Artist from the Greater Hartford region of Connecticut. He studied illustration at the University of Connecticut: School of Fine Arts and completed his BA in Studio Art at Charter Oak State College. He also earned a MS in Organizational Leadership from Quinnipiac University.  His preferred medium is acrylic painting, but he also creates works on paper, using charcoal or soft pastel. 

Andre uses his art to make statements for which words are not enough, highlighting the underlying emotions connected to the subject. It is a combination of portraiture and conceptual works connected by narratives of his personal experiences. At a young age, art became a tool for healing and a catalyst for connection. It developed into a way for Andre to let people know they are not alone.

Andre is a 2021 Artist of Color Accelerate Fellow, collaborating with The Amistad Center for Art and Culture at Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art in Hartford, CT. He also serves on the Board of Directors at Windsor Art Center (2019-present), a non-profit arts organization in Windsor, CT and previously served on the City of Hartford Commission on Cultural Affairs (2014-2015). His work has been featured in various publications, including CT Fashion Magazine and the Hartford Courant. You may also find Andre painting live at events throughout the Northeast United States. In addition to his activity as an artist in the Greater Hartford community, Andre assists emerging artists with portfolio development, curation, and consultation for exhibits. He encourages young artists to develop their craft without losing focus on learning professionalism and business acumen. He believes that with every step forward, we must remember to make room for one more to join us and clear a path for others to travel. 

On this episode I talk about the meaning of inspiration and how we can harness it into processes that lead to - you guessed it - more inspiration. 

On this episode, the remarkable Jas LaFond and I finish up our conversation about last week. We discuss things that have helped them along the way, advice they have for the queer babies, and shenanigans. Lots of shenanigans. 

On this episode I talk about how we value our work and how that should change/grow over time. 

Letting the good listeners of the podcast know your host will be taking a short break until May. Let's stay connected on the Instagram page: www.instagram.com/thecreativealchemistpodcast

If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life... LIES. It's still work and just like any other work, we  need a break from it sometimes. In this episode, I talk about why it's important to take breaks from what you love to do, why we sometimes don't, and suggestions for things you can do besides the thing you love. Happy listening, Alchemists! 

Support the podcast if you can by becoming a monthly supporter. [Insert hearts here]. 

Got questions, feedback, loving comments? Let's connect on www.instagram.com/thecreativealchemistpodcast

In this episode I'll be going over what a contract is, why you need one, and some of the important things that you should have in there. Do you make sure you have a contract with your client? What do you include  in yours as a creative? Let's chat on the IG page: www.instagram.com/thecreativealchemistpodcast

Want to support the podcast? Become a monthly supporter at this link https://anchor.fm/thecreativealchemist and click on the support link. 

Love what you hear and want to become a supporter of your fab host? Support my patreon at www.patreon.com/zulynette

In this episode, I talk about why saying no is hard, when to say no, and why saying no is SO important. Vital even. Ya know? No? Well, you can find out in this episode. 

In this episode, I share a story about someone who, early on in my career, affirmed the trajectory of my life, gave me a big opportunity at the time, and the nugget of wisdom they shared with me that I carry throughout all of my work. Grab some hot cocoa and gather 'round. It's storytime! 📖

In this episode, I discuss discussing budgets when it needs to be discussed. Which is early on. Here are some tips on how to ask about a budget. 

In this episode, I talk about the importance of rest, how it makes us better at our art, and even more importantly than that (WHAT? MORE IMPORTANTLY THAN WORK?) how it makes you a better human being to other human beings. This episode may or may not have been inspired by a mix of How to do Nothing by Jenny Odell and The Nap Ministry which you can follow on social media. 

On this episode I'll get into the upside of having a newsletter (because ya should!) and helpful tools to creating one. 

Joshua(Tevyn) Alleyne is 28 years old, is an experienced Actor/Voice Actor, Photographer, Writer and Editor, and Certified Professional Life Coach.
Joshua has been immersed in theatrical interpretation since middle school, landing the role of Scar in The Lion King. With his theatre experience continuing in high school, Joshua was cast as the lead character “Joshua” in Bang Bang You’re Dead. He was “Malcolm” in Hartford Stage’s Breakdancing Shakespeare Macbeth. And he played 4 ensemble roles that included singing and dancing in Annie with Hartford Children’s Theater; as well as part of the lead cast as Seaweed J. Stubbs in Hairspray.

Joshua has been helping those in need of all ages and walks of life since middle school, and now promotes and fosters healthy and positive growth of all kinds in his Life Coaching business. He aspires to be a real life cartoon in his Voice Over work!

You can check out his voice over work here: http://www.bobbinrobbin.com/#site-header 

In this episode I chop it up with a very special guest: my nephew. We discuss the importance of art, why he likes art, what art he likes to make, and what the world ought to do to be a better place. He's pretty cool. 

Bee tee dubs, we got a new logo! 

In this episode, I talk about the role, nay, the responsibility an artist has in a social movement. Spoiler alert, it's to get involved. 

In this episode, I talk about changes coming to the podcast, why it's been so long, and what's to come.