Share

cover art for The Chromologist: Alyssa Nitchun

The Chromologist

The Chromologist: Alyssa Nitchun

Season 2, Ep. 4

Alyssa Nitchun, Director of the Leslie-Lohman Museum of art in New York, talks to Patrick O’Donnell about the colours of her life from her New York apartment. She shares tales of her candyfloss pink childhood passion for dressing up, her pitch black youth as a goth and she describes the bright red of her defining decade as a queer DJ and advocate for queer art and expression. She says, ‘I chose red for my defining decade because I think I was hungry for everything. But right now my colour is arsenic green because I’m in a time where I’m kind of harnessing that energy.’


Learn about the colours featured in each episode here


See the colours of Alyssa's life here


Follow Alyssa on Instagram here


Follow us on Instagram here


More episodes

View all episodes

  • 8. The Chromologist: Poppy Okotcha

    28:49||Season 3, Ep. 8
    In a special episode to honour World Environment Day, Patrick travels to the South Devon sanctuary of horticulturalist, regenerative grower, and author Poppy OKotcha, whose passion for conscious living and the natural world is truly infectious.Joined by Tony the Tortoise, they tour her verdant garden and dig into memories of her Grandma’s garden, her youth in South Africa, and her transformative career move from modelling to horticulture. From gardening on a London house-boat to cultivating her own patch in South Devon (via a trip to India!), Poppy shares the colours that define her journey so far.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Poppy's Life HereFollow Poppy on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here
  • 7. The Chromologist: Raymond Blanc

    32:10||Season 3, Ep. 7
    Raymond Blanc, culinary icon, author and hotelier, passionately champions the art of seasonal cooking and creativity in his revered cuisine. Patrick O’Donnell visits his world-renowned restaurant and hotel Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons in Oxfordshire, to learn and dine on Raymond’s journey, philosophy, and the power of colour in cooking. Together they tour the hotel, kitchens, and all-important kitchen gardens, discussing everything from molecular gastronomy to forest sleeping. Along the way, they muse on his mother’s influence in igniting his love for seasonal cooking, his journey from France to England (via a broken jaw!) and how teamwork is an essential ingredient to achieving a vision.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Raymond's Life HereFollow Raymond on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here
  • 6. The Chromologist: Candice Brathwaite

    41:42||Season 3, Ep. 6
    Acclaimed author, journalist, presenter and speaker Candice Brathwaite is no stranger to podcasting. Through her critically acclaimed books, online content and public speaking, she's a passionate advocate for vital discussions of social inclusivity, race and black British motherhood, among many subjects. And her impact encouraging positive change across diversity and representation cannot be understated. From extraordinary role models in childhood to the impact of racism and grief to the transformative birth experience that inspired her first book, her story is threaded with the empowerment, and setbacks, that stemmed from developing her voice as a storyteller.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Candice's Life HereFollow Candice on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here
  • 5. The Chromologist: Emma Burns

    29:51||Season 3, Ep. 5
    Emma Burns, Managing Director of esteemed interior design studio Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler, is a true doyenne of décor. Known for lending her exceptional eye to crafting spaces that are as stylish as they are functional, she invites Patrick O’Donnell to her converted dovecote home to discover her story through colour, accompanied by her pug Dahlia and novelty plastic pigeons. Together they delve into a shared love for muddy shades of nature, childhood memories of Devon skies, the importance of curiosity in interior decorating and the beauty of embracing imperfection. Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Emma's Life HereFollow Emma on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here
  • 4. The Chromologist: Jack Harries

    42:22||Season 3, Ep. 4
    In a special episode to mark Earth Day, Patrick O’Donnell travels to the 200-year-old Cornish mill that’s home to Jack Harries; a documentary filmmaker, producer and environmentalist who is passionate about using his platform to tell the stories that matter. Joined by his dog Lyla, they explore the journey from his city-living years, YouTube channel JacksGap and subsequent career in filmmaking, to climate change, environmental activism and his recent move to the calming South West.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Jack's Life HereFollow Jack on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here
  • 3. The Chromologist: Patrick Grant

    32:47||Season 3, Ep. 3
    Patrick O’Donnell heads north to the border of the Yorkshire Dales to meet champion of sustainable fashion and BBC Great British Sewing Bee judge Patrick Grant.In his newly painted Farrow & Ball home, the pair discuss their mutual love for Broccoli Brown, childhood memories of muddy adventures and his obsession with nature. They also touch on how fashion has influenced his colour choices, from the Print Room Yellow of ‘80s acid house raves to the blue hues of Savile Row suits.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Patrick's life hereFollow Patrick on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here
  • 2. The Chromologist: Willow Crossley

    28:36||Season 3, Ep. 2
    Patrick O'Donnell visits the Cotswolds to sit down with talented florist and author Willow Crossley in her 17th century home. Against this backdrop of colour and creativity, including a mural hand painted in Brassica and Cooking Apple Green, the pair explore everything from nature to her mantra of ‘living life well’. Willow shares the emotions behind her colour choices, from Yellow Ground, reflecting her carefree childhood in Wales, to vibrant Bamboozle, a nod to her youthful days in London. Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Willow's life hereFollow Willow on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here
  • 1. The Chromologist: Joa Studholme

    30:13||Season 3, Ep. 1
    Patrick O’Donnell heads into the heart of Somerset to meet Colour Curator, author and the mind behind many of the most iconic Farrow & Ball colours — Joa Studholme. The two reminisce about their shared time at the company, passion for colour and past forays with floristry. Joa also reflects on the impact of her parents on her colourful career, from her mother’s glamorous nature to her father’s perfectly polished cars, which inspired her love for Full Gloss.Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Joa's life hereFollow us on Instagram here
  • 9. The Chromologist: Julius Roberts

    32:43||Season 2, Ep. 9
    Patrick O’Donnell takes a trip to Dorset to meet first generation farmer, cook and author of The Farm Table — Julius Roberts. Together they take a tour of the farm and Julius describes the deep yellow of a childhood spent digging in the garden, raising baby rabbits and watching his grandmother whisk up delicious family meals. He also reflects on the Bamboozle red of a youth spent working long hours in hot, demanding kitchens as a restaurant chef and on the Pea Green of his defining decade when he bought some pigs and started a farm. Learn about the colours featured in each episode hereSee the colours of Julius's life hereFollow Julius on Instagram hereFollow us on Instagram here