Meet Alexander Samson

We recently connected with Alexander Samson and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexander, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.

My optimism comes from an inner space of gratitude which, in my experience, is the best prayer. This is something that I grapple with daily through martial arts, meditation, and visual art—things that require real focus and leave me walking away better than when I approached.

I think optimism takes shape through confidence formed by repetition with an authentic aim. Two months before art school, in the summer of 2015, I traveled to the Amazon rainforest with my brother to take part in two Ayahuasca (Vine of the Soul) ceremonies. Returning home from an experience that I couldn’t have imagined, I was on a mission to paint what couldn’t be said.

Like many artists starting out, I felt tense sharing my work, in this case partly because of how important I thought the message was. One piece in particular displayed a straightforward view where I knelt in admiration in front of a phonograph, aiming to convey a metaphor for some sort of universal music that I “heard” in the jungle. Well-intentioned, I spent a month painting that canvas before putting it up for critique by my professor, an acclaimed painter whose feedback I hold in high regard.


“It’s corny,” he said. My heart sank a little—more so when I stepped back and realized he was right.

It was forced. It makes for a decent illustration, but it’s not a good painting. However, he didn’t just call it corny—though that’s what stood out at first—before following it with: “You’re trying to paint that thing.” He said, “I think you should try to be that thing and paint”. I immediately felt exactly what he meant.

Authenticity in art comes from embodying the subject, not just depicting it. With an accurate aim and effective steps, confidence flows and optimism forms.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I’m the owner of Producingbe which is rooted in my own visual art that ranges across media but with painting at the heart and core. I’m currently working on a series of oil paintings, using plants as a focal point, which evolved from a sequence of ink works. My aim is to blur the lines between representation and abstraction and show their character beyond physical form. But really, I just enjoy painting them.

I graduated from the University of Hartford (Hartford Art School), majoring in drawing and painting. Going into it I figured if I could learn to draw, I could translate that skill into any visual language or medium which, along the way, I’ve implemented into graphic design. Since then, I’ve worked as a designer in agencies across New England. Now with my own studio, we collaborate with brands across the country, providing a range of services from logo & identity design to website development and SEO Marketing.

At the core of our philosophy is the understanding that great design is simple in its complexity, and impactful in its simplicity. 


There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

One of the most important and innate qualities I attribute any success in my life to, is my curiosity and love of learning. There’s just too many interesting things in this world to not always have something to explore, learn about, and sharpen your blade. As the saying goes, “If you’re bored, you’re boring.”


As Jordan Peterson says, “Tell the truth, or at least don’t lie.” And not just to others, but most valuably, to yourself. Honesty is the first step toward wisdom which I cultivate by monitoring my inner dialogue with daily sincerity checks.

Which brings me to my last cornerstone—the ability to ask with Faith. Asking isn’t just mouthing the words. It’s what your thoughts make of the process while trying to find an answer. To ask effectively, stand on the foundation of faith. “Faith parries all blows and transforms poison into crystalline water.” —Paulo Coelho.

Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?

The book I reach for most often, usually with my morning coffee, is The Warrior of the Light: A Manual by Paulo Coelho. As a companion to The Alchemist, it’s become a daily read for me because of its quick read—absorbable wisdom. You’ll read concluding lines on each page like, “The great wisdom of the Warrior lies in choosing his insanity wisely,” or “A Warrior knows that the farthest-flung star in the Universe reveals itself in the things around him,” framing the Warrior as imperfect while aiming toward the ideal. This book plays on the student-teacher dynamic, personal legend, words from Lao Tzu and Jesus Christ, martial arts, and honorable battle to highlight the components of a sound moral structure—something I like to keep close as a mantra.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.producingbe.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/producingbe/

Image Credits

All photos are by me.