The Artist Matters

Welcome to episode #43. Today’s guest, I met at my day job as a civil clerk. She was filing papers and we got into talking about art and podcasts and next thing I know, she’s wanting to be a guest on the show. And here we are (That’s why it’s important to carry your business cards with you. Never know who you’ll meet). She is Rina Alvarez.
She hails from Tampa, FL where she runs Alvarez Photography. At an early age, however, she suppressed her interest in photography because she wanted to fit in with her classmates. Thankfully, as she got older and wiser, she returned to her passion for photos and doors started opening.
Her photogenic resume includes: weddings, real estate, pregnancy announcements and even boudoir. She has also worked for Living Social and Groupon.
Her sons keep her grounded and were major inspiration for her getting back into photography. She’s wanting to show them that they can do anything with determination, passion and hard work.
And that’s just what you’ll get with this episode, plus a lot more. Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza and Merry Christmas this week and enjoy this gift - my chat with Rina.

Seasons greetings, one and all. Today we have a real holiday treat. Cause when you think of the holiday season, you think of drag queens. Right?
Well, today you get the gift to learn about what it takes to be a drag queen with our guest, Harrison Schenkel (aka Kimmi Moore).
He is the first guest to be related to a previous guest (Mackenzie Lee Hart’s stepbrother).
I met Harrison, when he was in his teens, at the church we went to in New York where his father was a pastor. And one year, Harrison put on the “High School Musical” concert at the church. It was a lively show and I knew this kid had talent. I expected to see him on Broadway someday.
Then, I found out he is indeed living in New York City and performing, but as a drag queen. That was a surprise I didn’t see coming. But, I knew I had to connect with him and learn more about his craft.
He shares moving into the city and discovering the world of drag. How he came up with his drag name, Kimmi Moore. The prep work it takes to get ready for a show. What’s it like to perform in a drag show and lots more.
He has even released 2 singles and music videos as Kimmi - “My Head” and “One Night”.
So, be of good cheer, work it and enjoy my chat with Harrison Schenkel.

The wait is over. Welcome to the 2nd part of my conversation with Laurie Durrett.
We get into more of her highlights, including traveling to Ireland and Belfast, doing theatre with prisoners, including the show, “My Home”.
She talks about the project “Be Not Afraid”. This deals with witch doctors sacrificing children for profit in Africa and one person’s crusade to save and rehabilitate the surviving children.
Laurie also talks about the short film, “Caroline”, which she made with her daughter.
On top of all this, she is also gearing up to create an acting workshop about the craft and the business.
Enjoy the final part of my chat with Laurie Durrett.

Welcome to December and show #40. Today we have Laurie Durrett.
Talk about a resume. Laurie’s career in the arts spans over 3 decades. She’s been an actor, director, producer, reporter, writer, filmmaker, teacher - just to name a few.
Her journey began in Texas. As a little girl, she’d watch a movie and if the ending didn’t feel right to her, she’d act out the movie with a brand new ending.
As she got older, she was drawn to acting on the stage. And to her, that will always be her favorite.
She even made the pilgrimage to L.A. and had some acting gigs, but then moved back to Texas.
Thankfully, she didn’t limit herself. While acting jobs were few and far between, she learned about the production side of show business. She enjoyed it and became good at it. And she stresses that actors should learn about the production side. It offers a well-rounded view of the biz and maybe a creative outlet they never knew about.
As you can imagine, narrowing down 30 years of work could be daunting. Laurie brought to my attention a few highlights and that helped to bring you the discussion you are about to hear.
But I had to break it up into a two-parter. So, enjoy part one of my interview with Laurie Durrett.

Welcome to Episode #39 on the week of Thanksgiving. Very thankful for today’s guest, Writer/Author - Drema Drudge.
She has been writing since the age of nine, some o which were poems and melodramatic stories.
She went to Spalding University and got her MFA in Creative Writing.
Her fiction has been published in The Louisville Review, Mused, ATG, Penumbra, Woolf Zine, The Same, as well as in other publications. She is also a regular contributor to the popular Chicken Soup for the Soul series. Her stories for Chicken Soup have been featured twice on their podcast, and a book her story appeared in was also highlighted on Entertainment Tonight.
Her forthcoming novel, Victorine is about a Parisian painter from the time of the Impressionists. It was written in six different countries, if you can believe that. And it’s available for pre-order, due to come out March 2020.
You will learn so much about her approach to writing and her process. Common misconceptions people have about writing and great advice for future writers.
Thankful you are here and ready to enjoy my chat with Drema Drudge.

Welcome to Episode #38. No guests this week. Just little ol' me. As Thanksgiving approaches, I'm reflecting on this journey of podcasting and what I am grateful for.
Definitely all of you who take the time to listen to these episodes. Super grateful for all  of my guests who took time out of their lives to share their stories, processes and inspiring words and life lessons.
It is a difficult time for me. December marks the one anniversary of my mom's passing. Never thought I'd be one of those people who loses a loved one near Christmas. But I am.
She is missed and I want to honor her memory and celebrate her life. A great deal of my creativity, I owe to her. Always encouraging and supportive of my creative side. She liked to dance, sing, even act. Thankful I had 49 years with her.
Time is fleeting, so if you are a creative, get moving. Explore your artistic side. It may not be just one thing. Try different mediums out. There are so may to choose from. You may be surprised to discover a new creative niche.
So, spend quality time with loved ones and cherish those moments. Allow yourself to be creative and remember : you're a good person and you deserve good things.

Welcome to episode #37. Today, we have Liz Acar.
She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Multi-Certified International Coach, Speaker, and the Photographer and Author for the International Bestseller, “In Joy; A Guide to Designing a Joy-Filled Life” and for the Bestseller, "You Are Loved; An Inspired, Meditative Visual Journey".
In 2017, Liz was recovering from a significant illness when she was encouraged to move to Key West, Florida by her partner for a healing sabbatical. Seven months after moving to Key West, her partner unexpectedly passed away from cancer.
Thankfully, Liz's healing process was positively impacted by living in the Keys, and by taking and sharing pictures and positive thoughts on social media.
Liz has almost fully recovered now. Over the past couple of years, she has provided over 400 speaking engagements and trainings on how to live a happier, healthier, and more joy-filled life. Additionally, her inspirational pictures, videos, and stories have reached over a quarter of a million people and have been seen in the Miami ABC and Fox News affiliate stations, The Miami Herald, Newsweek, FL Key News, and many other outlets.
Liz combines her passion for photography, coaching, speaking and writing to help inspire, awaken, motivate, and support others on their journey.
And I am telling you, this talk we had, even helped me. Not typically focused on the guest’s art, but on being aware, taking action and positively changing one’s self from the inside which in turn, helps the creative process.
There’s so much more, so relax, breathe and enjoy my chat with Liz Acar.

Time to start off November. There is still some Halloween influence here. Very hard for me to let go of that holiday. Today’s guest has a bit of a foot still in the genre.
She is Producer/Writer/Director, Elke Blasi.
Another Long Islander, Elke was a fan of horror movies at a young age. She wrote her first script at age 11. Went to the NY Film Academy. Made several short films and optioned some scripts while in California learning about the biz.
But like many creatives, life got in the way and her dreams took a back seat. After a terrible hand injury left her disabled, something clicked. She realized she was given a gift of time and used it to write, produce and direct her first feature film, *69. A supernatural thriller with horrific elements.
This film took her a long time to complete. And Elke explains the process of concept to screen , her writing and directing process and the many challenges she faced making the film.
Since completing *69, Elke has kept busy making short films again and developing another film - this time, a romantic comedy - called Ladies and Gentlemen, which explores the double standards between men and women.
So grateful to Laurie Ann Davis for connecting us. This episode is full of filmmaking and life lessons. I know you will enjoy this one. So, take a listen to my chat with Elke Blasi.

We finish up our Halloween themed month of October with a doozy of a guest. You may know him from the Syfy special f/x make-up competition show, Face Off. He competed in season 7 and won season 11. It is Cig Neutron.
Cig started off in Indiana and found a love of special f/x make-up watching horror movies. He went on to the Tom Savini’s Special Make-Up Effects Program in Pennsylvania. After graduating, Cig made a bee-line to California. Through a friend, he got work doing molding for the movie, Tron : Legacy. He forged a partnership with another creative spirit, Rannie Rodil and they created BizarroAuGoGo.
And then, Cig tried out for the show, Face Off. Didn’t make it on to Season 2, but finally got to compete in season 7, making it all the way to the finale as a runner-up. He came back for the All-Star competition in season 11 and this time, he was the winner.
He has kept busy since then creating more make-ups and sculpts on various projects like, Star Trek Discovery and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Cig even has his own podcast called Spewtron and is also working on making a feature film.
This is a definite treat to round out the month. Had such blast and very grateful he took the time to chat with me.
Take a listen, enjoy and share my conversation with Cig Neutron.

The Halloween fun continues with my first ever international guest. Hailing all the way from Australia, we have Greg Chapman.
He is the Bram Stoker Award-nominated® and Australian Shadows Award-nominated author of Hollow House and the author of five novellas: Torment, The Noctuary, Vaudeville, The Last Night of October and The Followers. His debut collection, Vaudeville and Other Nightmares, was published in 2014 and re-released as an illustrated edition in April 2019. His second novel, The Noctuary: Pandemonium, the sequel to his acclaimed 2011 novella, was published in late 2017. His third novel, Netherkind, was published in May, 2019.
He is also a horror artist, creating illustrations and designs for many of his own books, plus artwork for other books. His first graphic novel, Witch Hunts: A Graphic History of the Burning Times, written by authors Rocky Wood and Lisa Morton, won the Superior Achievement in a Graphic Novel category at the Bram Stoker Awards® in 2013.
Such a talent and I know you will enjoy this conversation as much I did. Take a listen to me and Greg Chapman.