Meet Gena Flanigen

Gena Flanigen is joining us for the first time this year as a Spotlighted Artist and will be displaying three of her photographs at the event. Gena specializes in wildlife photography and lately has been focusing on the Berry Eagles. 

Gena Flanigen, Rome,GA

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I have lived in Rome all my life. Photography has been a hobby of mine for a few years, especially wildlife photography. I just started getting a little more serious about it in the past year. Photography is a passion for me and I do not want it to become a job.

Q: Please describe your work. What makes it different from other art in the same field?
I love wildlife photography, but recently with the arrival of the Berry College Eagles, I have spent more time on bird photography, especially the eagles.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the process your work goes through?
My "work" starts with a beautiful day taking various photographs. That is the fun part. I then download the pictures on my computer. The editing of pictures takes the most time and can be the least fun. But when I get a nice shot and with a little bit of editing it turns out pretty, it is almost like Christmas morning unwrapping a wonderful gift.

Q: What prompted you to become and artist?
Photography is just something I have to do. It is fun, it makes me happy and hopefully the pictures I take makes others happy as well.

Q: What is one of the biggest failures you have faced as an artist?
Not getting the shot!

Q: What is one of your biggest successes as an artist?
Getting the shot!

Q: Aside from creating, what is another passion of yours?
I enjoy being with family and friends, especially with other photographers. I love being able to going to church and worship in freedom. Running with my dogs on trails, walking with my parents, and  hiking with friends ..... just wonderful!

Q: Please share some humor you have found in your artistic endeavors.
Just being around other photographers is pretty humorous. Most of us are serious about getting nice shots, but we do enjoy each other's company and like to give each other a "hard time". The Canon Nikon debate is ever present and is pretty funny at times.

Meet Sasha Egorova

Sasha Egorova joins the Starving Artist Expo for the third time this year as an executive planning committee member as well as a Featured Artist. Sasha and show director, Lisa Ingram have worked together in the corporate setting and in the art world, with their loves of graphic design, marketing, art and business mingling together to create inspirational and beautiful results. Sasha will be displaying her beautiful still life oil on canvas paintings at the expo. She also lends her talents to the expo as the lead graphic designer for the event. As a Russian Rome transplant living in Atlanta, Sasha still finds her heart bringing her back to Rome time and time again.

Sasha Egorova, Atlanta, GA

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Do you come from a big family? Are you from the south? Do you speak another language?
I grew up in the big busy city with lots of noise, hundreds of museums, surrounded by art and beautiful old architecture. When I came to the United States I immediately fell in love with little cute southern towns, especially Rome. It provided me with truly nurturing environment where my inspiration bloomed. The inspiration for my art comes from vibrant colors of the South: cherry blossoms in the spring, azaleas that fill the air with sweetness, juicy watermelons and many other wonderful things.

I speak three languages, which I use in different times: English is for business, Russian is for secrets and Spanish is for beauty. I would like to learn few more.

My family is not that big, but when three generations gather in the tiny apartment kitchen for afternoon tea and conversation with dog and the cat present there is no space for anything else.

Q: Please describe your work. What makes it different from other art in the same field?
I like using different mediums for my paintings. In each of them I use at least three different ones: charcoal, acrylic and oil, they help to achieve the vibrant colors which are one of the main qualities of my art.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the process your work goes through?
Usually the most of the process happens in my head before the painting is produced. I complete it in my mind before my brush touches the paint. When I know exactly how I want everything to look I just let it flow out of me. I create few sketches of the composition, then turn on my favorite music and let my mind wonder away from the painting while my hands are working on it. I would say it's almost unconscious.

Q: What prompted you to become and artist?
When I was a little girl I was always told that I can not make a living by being an artist, so I guess I'm  proving the opposite by doing what I really love.

Q: What is one of the biggest failures you have faced as an artist?
You can fail and rise as an artist a couple of times while creating one painting, but it's always between you and your art.

Q: What is one of your biggest successes as an artist?
I sold my first painting when I was 12 years old in the country wide exhibit of the young artists. It was my first experience negotiating the price for my art and it felt amazing. That was the biggest push to become an artist.

Q: Aside from creating, what is another passion of yours?
Ask me at the exhibition it might be something different, but for now I'm into healthy cooking, exercising and I'm absolutely addicted to my water aerobics class. My other guilty pleasure is traveling and exploring, even at home I always move my desk around to get a new prospective on things.

Q: Please share some humor you have found in your artistic endeavors.
People asked me if I'm a vegetarian because I paint so many still lives with fruit and vegetables.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with us about you?
I'm very inspired by the Starving Artist Expo success and hope one day we will celebrate our 10 year anniversary.

Graphic Design by Sasha Egorova

Meet Phil Ward

Phil is a woodworker in Rome, GA that you can find at several shows in Northwest Georgia. His wife Lois is with him every step of the way making recommendations, booking shows and reminding him to be patient. Phil is joining the Starving Artist Expo as a featured artist for the first time this year.

Phil Ward of Rome, Ga

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. Do you come from a big family? Are you from the south? Do you speak another language?
I come from a family of 2 kids and am from the south. I speak southernease.

Q: Please describe your work. What makes it different from other art in the same field?
I make turned items from scrap wood or firewood.  I never a duplicate piece, God designed all this beautiful grain in the wood and you never know what beauty you will find once the item is turned and even more beautiful when finished and the grains are so evident.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the process your work goes through?
My work goes through a series of steps including cutting, drying, shaping, attaching to the lathe and turning into a gorgeous bowl, pot, vase, coffee scoop, birdhouse, ornament, etc. and then finally the finishing.

Q: What prompted you to become and artist?
My love of wood and what it can become instead of being thrown into the fireplace, stove, campfire, etc.

Q: What is one of the biggest failures you have faced as an artist?
When a piece of wood is on the lathe and beginning to look like a beautiful item and it flies off the lathe and breaks into a lot of pieces. Heartbreak!!!

Q: What is one of your biggest successes as an artist?
To have someone come up to me and tell me what pieces of mine they have and how much they enjoy it daily.  Some have a number of pieces and want others when I can find the right wood.

Q: Aside from creating, what is another passion of yours?
Baseball

Q: Please share some humor you have found in your artistic endeavors. 
I throw scraps into the biggg trash can and I see Lois,my wife, on her tiptoes digging & bringing out pieces she see beauty in that can be turned into something different and very useful.  I laugh and then it is no joke because it turns out beautiful and useful.  Miss Dumpster Diver she is.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with us about you?
I'm the blindest woodturner in Ga., I think.  I am legally blind.

And here is a little more, from Phil himself.

Meet Gail Baxter

Gail Baxter is joining us for the first time this year as a Featured Artist. Gail will have her unique bead woven jewelry on display and you won't want to miss her at the show!

Gail Baxter, Lindale, GA

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. 
I am the middle of 3 sisters, raised in Rochester, NY.

Q: Please describe your work. What makes it different from other art in the same field?
My work is bead woven jewelry and ornaments.  It goes beyond simple bead stringing as bead weaving involves making intricate patterns of multiple beads to construct finished products.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the process your work goes through?
Bead weaving is an art that uses needle (sometimes 2 needles) and thread.  You take beads and using different stitches and patterns create your necklace, bracelet or earring.  Patterns go from simple to very complex.

Q: What prompted you to become and artist?
I have always loved craftwork of all kinds.  I learned crochet, knitting and embroidery as a child.  My sister introduced me to beading in May 2012.  It has been a love affair since then.  What a great way to have jewelry to wear with each outfit, or to have the perfect gift individualized to each friend's taste and personality.

Q: What is one of the biggest failures you have faced as an artist?
I had a show where I sold 1 pair of earrings :(  That was a bummer to say the least.

Q: What is one of your biggest successes as an artist?
Having a jewelry shop owner buy 3 pieces and tell me my attention to detail in my work was extraordinary.

Q: Aside from creating, what is another passion of yours?
Music - singing and piano.

Q: Please share some humor you have found in your artistic endeavors.
Many customers after examining my work ask me "However do you do this?"  My answer is usually "one bead at a time" :)

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with us about you?
My beadwork has brought me hours of pleasure, many new experiences and friends I treasure.

Meet Brandi Gossett

Brandi Gossett is joining us for the first time this year as a Spotlighted Artist and will be displaying her beautiful acrylic paintings at the Show on March 29th. Spotlighted Artists show up to three pieces of work at the expo. Read on to learn more about Brandi in her interview below!

Brandi Gossett of Rome, GA

Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself. 

I'm from Rome, born and raised. I have always been interested in art and beauty. I took private art lessons for 6 years from the Artist Workshop off of Broad Street. I just recently started getting back into my artwork. Out of all the things in life that have came my way, I always seem to come back to the one thing I truly love. Art.

Q: Please describe your work. What makes it different from other art in the same field?
Acrylic has always been a favorite of mine. I love colors. Taking something that may usually be dull and boring and making it a wonderland of colors.

Q: Can you tell us a little bit about the process your work goes through?
Usually I will see something or have an idea on something to do. Like most artist, usually my work will reflect how I may be feeling in my life at that moment. I'll start with drawing some ideas up, and then take it to the canvas and let my imagination run wild.

Q: What prompted you to become and artist?
My Dad was an amazing artist. I received my gift from him. Growing up it was always my favorite subject in school and I always made friends with all my art teachers. My dad passed away in 2010, and that's when I just knew I had to move forward with my gift. I want to make him proud.

Q: What is one of the biggest failures you have faced as an artist?
I originally wanted to go to Art School for illustration to do children books, but different things in my life wouldn't allow it. I consider that a huge failure for myself in my art career.

Q: What is one of your biggest successes as an artist?
To be honest I have never won awards or have been featured in anything. I am just stepping out into the art world and I'm gonna see where it takes me. I am more than blessed to be a part of the Starving Artist Expo this year! Thank you so much!

Q: Aside from creating, what is another passion of yours?
Beauty. I recently just graduated from cosmetology school. I have been interning in a few salons. Art and beauty are my two favorite things!

Q: Please share some humor you have found in your artistic endeavors.
A few years ago I wanted to branch out and try some sewing classes... I thought I was pretty good at it.. Thought! I made myself a skirt, went into town with it on, and the skirt starting ripping apart. So embarrassing! I'll stick to my painting!

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share with us about you?
I am very passionate about my art and art in general. I am very excited to see where it could take me!

Roll Call: The 2014 Starving Artists

We had a great response to our Call for Artists this year. Thanks to each and every artist who applied. The Starving Artist Committee was thoroughly impressed with the originality, dedication, aspirations and talents of the applicants.

The decision was tough but we are extremely excited to present to you the official list of astonishing Featured Artists and Spotlighted Artists.

2014 Featured Starving Artists

Gail Baxter

Bead Woven Jewelry, Ornaments and Key Chains

Nadia Brown

Oil on Canvas

Heather Bryant

Watercolors

Nate Chambers

Wood Carving

Katherine Crouse

Oil on Canvas

Sasha Egorova

Oil on Canvas

Lisa Ingram

Pottery

Gorg & Mindy Hubenthal- The Hook & Hammer

Custom Wood  Work, Furniture and Crochet/Knit Jewelry

Stephanie Kipfer

Jewelry and Sewn Accessories

Tobias Layman

Ceramics

Jane Lowery- Hoot Owl Creations

Crochet Wire Jewelry

June Manis

Lampwork Glass

Adam Sikes

Cigar Box Guitars

Ryan Smith

Photography

Erin Spangler

Pottery

Noel Thomas

Glasswork

Rex Treadaway

Metalwork

Phil Ward

Turned Wood

Spotlighted Artists*

Gena Flanigen

Photography

Brandi Gossett

Paintings

Jackie Milster

Pottery

Rome Art Coterie
Various Medias

by Melissa Harvil

Susanne Schuepbach

Jewelry

(Photo forthcoming)

*Additional Artists in this category to be announced by February 28th

Check back at our blog soon for a more in depth look at these artists and their work. For some, this will be their first show in Rome, Georgia, and for some, this is their third time participating in the Starving Artist Expo. We certainly have a beautiful variety of work to showcase from these artists so clear your calendar for Saturday, March 29th!

Let's Make Something Happen

This event started with a mission. It is a mission to feed. Feed the passionate. Feed the hungry. Feed the homeless, the forgotten and the lost.

We are called the Starving Artists. But let me say that no one that has participated in the show in the past has missed a meal lately. Our name jokingly refers to the stereotypical artist that is so broke they eat Ramen noodles, sleep on a mattress on the floor and ride the bus because they have no car. But, in America, if you are lucky enough to purchase art supplies, you are typically well fed and well dressed.

The Starving Starving Artists.

But that is not true for everyone.

So, while the first part of our mission is to connect the artist to the marketplace, the second part of our goal is to feed the hungry.

Local and abroad.

Locally, we have collected canned goods at our event and donated these to Impact Church to feed the homeless and to the Restoration Center that helps people transition back into the world after being released from prison. Both of these groups of people often have the fewest resources to work with to survive or make a place for themselves in the world. The food is collected from those who attend our show and put in the hands of those who need and appreciate it most right here in Rome, Ga.

To extend aid abroad, we support an organization called Next Generation Nepal.  This non-profit

group was founded to rescue trafficked children in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Some of these children are orphans and some have been separated from their parents through a veiled kidnapping scheme. NGN runs multiple orphanages in Nepal for children rescued from illegal orphanages and other terrible living situations where children are fed very little, hidden in small dark rooms, made to pan handle in the streets and given little or no medical attention. Many suffer from malnutrition. Some do not survive. NGN also works to reconnect and return kidnapped children to their parents. The Starving Artist Expo has supported this organization since 2013 through donations from our patrons. Proceeds from the 2014 event will continue to support this organization through sales of the book Little Princes and proceeds from sales of Spotlighted Artist's work.

Read more about the book written by NGN's founder here:
http://momastery.com/blog/2013/01/11/book-numero-uno/

All this is to say that this event is more than an art show. It's about making things happen. Making someone's dream to be an artist come true. Helping someone who has been released from prison get back on their feet and make a new start. And helping little tiny feet find their way home to their parents all the way over in Nepal.

So save the date, grab some canned goods each time you go to the grocery store and order Little Princes off amazon.

And you can make some great things happen by coming to an Art Show.