We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Astraea Chaumette a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Astraea thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?
I first knew I wanted to pursue a creative path professionally when I felt how meaningful it was to help others feel good about expressing themselves. I love seeing people who never thought they could write or read poetry open up to the possibility and share.
Astraea, 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?
Sure! I am Astraea and have been doing poetry around my local community and online for about a year now. I used to write a lot of poetry when I was younger and started immersing myself back into it after my divorce several years ago. It helped me process a lot of complex emotions that had previously felt uncomfortable for me to sit with. I decided to read some of my work at an open mic in town, which felt terrifying to me at the time. After the event a lot of women resonated with what I had shared, and it helped them as well. I know what it feels like to be told by either yourself, or the people around you that what you have to say doesn’t matter. I think that this is something that a lot of people have experienced, and I felt compelled to provide a space where people felt safe being vulnerable with their thoughts and feelings. It can be very healing to put your emotions on paper, and to be able to vocalize them as well. It’s important to do this in an environment that cultivates this, and I want to provide that support for others.
I want everyone to feel like poetry is accessible to them. I’ve heard from a lot of people who don’t think they are poets. There are so many different types of poetry and expression, and it’s not limited to rhyming and meters. While that’s a beautiful form, it’s nice to help others find confidence and beauty in their own voice and style of expressing. Sometimes all someone needs is someone to snap for them and their words, and I want to provide that. It’s great for people to know that we are all doing the human experience together, and there are so many things that bring us together. Hearing a poem that resonates can be proof that we’re not alone and be a truly beautiful thing.
It can be scary to be vulnerable with others, and what sets me apart is my ability to have fun with the process and provide an experience that encourages and supports.
Is there a mission driving your creative journey?
It is my goal to get others to put words to the things that they think and feel, and share them, I really feel like this process adds value not only to individual lives but extends outward to other people connected to them in various ways.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding thing I get to experience, is having someone tell me that they never thought they would ever write a poem, let alone share it, and feel amazing about what they are able to create.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.astraeachaumettepoetry.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astraeachaumettepoetry
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075456139886
Image Credits
Brady Iverson Mari Joy