The Artist Matters

Do you have to be a “starving artist” to pursue a career in the arts? Today’s guest would say absolutely not. She is musician, singer, songwriter - Marci Geller. Hailing from my old neck of the woods on Long Island, she has been in the music biz for decades.
From an early age, Marci constantly hears music. So it seemed inevitable that she would have to find a way to channel this. She began with the electric organ and would eventually move up to the piano.
Marci goes into what happens when she walks into a place and sees a piano there.
She also talks about her writing process and the Fearless Songwriter Challenge. She even shares how she’s had to deal with negative feedback and not allowing it to control her creativity.
Marci had so much to share that I am giving you another two-parter.
So, enjoy part one of my chat with Marci Geller.

My 7-year old granddaughter, Lucia wanted to chat with me on the show. So what do I do? I get her on the show in our first ever bonus episode.
Enjoy my conversation with this artistic and talented girl.

Today’s guest has taken that leap of faith and left her day job to pursue her artistic endeavors just this past week.
Welcome to the show, Sam Kimberle.
Sam was a lawyer and director of a non-profit, but felt these weren’t her calling. She needed a change and so, she ditched the corporate persona and is now a full-time creative.
Sam has found a place to publish her writing - from poems to articles - on the site called Medium. Here, writers can publish their work and actually make some money doing it.
She has also gone back to an art she enjoyed as a child - sculpting polymer clay. And just 4 months ago, she started Shine And Marvel Jewelry & Designs, selling her crafts, like: jewelry, decor items, ornaments and much more.
Congrats to you, Sam for taking this big leap. Show her some love and enjoy my conversation with Sam Kimberle.

Here we have a prime example of an artist living the American dream. But she had to leave her home country of Brazil to do it.
Today we have painter, entrepreneur and podcaster, Rebeca Flott.
Painting was what she loved to do at an early age. But family finances were tight and canvases were not affordable. So, she improvised and painted on tiles, wood, whatever she could find.
But Rebeca yearned to make here mark in America. So, with only $500 in her pocket, she made the move, stopping in Florida first. She learned the language and had to find jobs to support her art. It’s here that she met her husband and together they decided to move to Colorado.
From there, they built up the business with her name in it, Rebeca Flott Arts. And to make her stand out, she went back to her roots and created a way of painting on screens. And business is thriving.
Plus she found time to have a son and even start a podcast called JUMP.
This was truly one of the most inspiring and touching conversations I’ve had yet. To come from another country and believe you can make a living with your creativity and talent and actually do that. A success story indeed.
Take a listen to my chat with Rebeca Flott.

Welcome to episode #20! Can you believe it? It’s still blows my mind that I actually have a podcast and am able to put out episodes on a weekly basis. And people actually listen to it. Thanks for being on the ride so far.
Well, today’s guest knows what it’s like to run a podcast because she has one. She is our first podcaster on the show and her name is Hannah Hassler.
She has been writing as far back as she can remember. For awhile, it was mostly academic writing, but it moved onto short stories and poetry.
Hannah has also worked in corrections and as an English teacher. Currently, she is virtual assistant and also tutors Chinese students.
Hannah tells of her struggles with PCOS (Polycystic Ovary Syndrome) and how her writing has helped not only her, but other women dealing with it.
She also offers up some great tips on getting past writer’s block.
And her podcast (also the name of her website) is called "Rorschach Your Reality". The show aims to inspire and uplift those who need a little positivity.
There’s so much more, but why don’t you take a listen to my conversation with Hannah Hassler.

Okay, so last week I featured Ariel, who was just starting her creative career. Well, this week we have an artist who has sustained a career in the music business for over 30 years. His name is is Jeff Allegue.
Jeff began learning classical guitar at the age of 10. He then learned the bass while in Bayport High School. Jeff was profiled in Guitar Player Magazine, Bass Player Magazine and Guitar for the Practicing Musician.
Along with his brother John, their band -The Tallboys had a video that appeared on MTV which led to their appearance on “Star Search,” where they won three consecutive shows and placed in the finals.
Jeff has also released a solo classical guitar album called “Gut Strings”. Plus, another instrumental guitar album, “The Lovely Savages”.
He went on to become the bassist for Taylor Dayne and toured the country for many years with her band.
Jeff just so happens to also be a founding member and bassist for the Trans-SIberian Orchestra. He was awarded 2 platinum and 4 gold records for his work with them.
Currently, Jeff is part of the tribute group called The Cover Girl Band, playing all over the New York area.
What is truly remarkable to me is that he has never had to work a regular job. That’s right. Through his music alone, he has managed to support himself and his family. You don’t hear that often.
And Jeff has so much more to say, so turn it up and enjoy my chat with Jeff Allegue.

Can you have a good balance with your faith and your artistic choices? Today’s guest, Ariel Hope Santerelli would say yes. I have known this young lady since 2011, when she was only 16. We joined her church that year, where her father is the pastor, and saw her singing her heart out with the praise team. I could tell this girl was a natural born performer.
Ariel began acting in the church’s live Nativity walkthrough called “Road to Bethlehem”, playing the role of Mary for several years. Then, someone recommended she audition for a play. She did and went on to perform in several local stage musicals, including “The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe”, “Anne of Avonlea” and “Godspell”.
She further expanded her resume doing commercial and indie film roles.
Ariel was also drawn to the world of modeling, having been on numerous photo shoots.
And when she finds the time, Ariel also dabbles in craft work.
This is something I’ve been wanting to do for awhile. Interview someone at the start of the career and see where the road takes them. And Ariel has experienced and learned a lot already in the creative field and offers some impressive wisdom at such a young age.
I am sure you will enjoy my chat with Ariel Hope Santerelli.

Today, we get our first jeweler, Hamaila Qureshi. Her family wanted her to get an education to become a pharmacist, but it just wasn’t for her. Design was what spoke to her. A fascination with furniture design led her to woodworking and metalworking. When she was in art metals, her instructor noticed that she had been making a lot of bracelets and said, “Hamaila - have you looked into the jewelry department? I think you’d fit in well there.”
Almost as soon as she started making and wearing her jewelry, people started asking - when is she going to start selling? In September 2018, Hamaila launched her website.
She began working for Limbo Jewelry this year as a Jewelry Production Assistant which was a dream come true for her, having been a fan of their store and designs for years.
Hamaila has also been a volunteer for the non-profit, Liberty for North Korea - which helps North Korean refugees. And even has a TEDx Talk detailing the work she did and helping to raise awareness on this topic.
But there’s much more to her story, so enjoy my chat with Hamaila Qureshi.

Welcome to the conclusion of my chat with actor/performer, et al - Keith Surplus.
This week we follow Keith on his journey into feature films as an actor and Production Assistant on films, such as “Camp Twilight”.
Keith will give us the low-down on some of his favorite musicals and roles, as well as roles he’d still like to play.
We talk about some of his influences and how they have inspired and motivated him in his creative pursuits.
Keith also mentions his other creative ventures into photography, prop making (available on his Etsy page) and even voice-overs.
If you enjoyed last week’s episode with Keith, you’re going to love how we wrap things up on this show.
Here is part 2 of my chat with Keith Surplus.

Today’s guest is someone I’ve known for 10 years. Back in 2009, he joined me and the cast of “The Godfather’s Messhuggener Wedding” dinner show. He is Keith Surplus. He jumped right into his role as Bernie, the Jewish groom and went on to play other varied and different characters in other shows we did.
But his story goes back to visual arts as a kid. Then, in his teen years, he discovered the theatre.
Getting roles in musicals, like “Annie” and “The King & I” at venues in Florida such as Richey Suncoast and the Tarpon Springs Performing Arts Center.
After I got to work with him in the Standing Ovation Dinner Theatre shows, I knew I had to cast him in my Dog Whisperer parody video called “The Dog Talkerer”.
Keith has also been part of the 48 Hour Film Project, in which a short movie is created from concept to production to completion in 48 hours.
There’s much more to Keith story which you will hear next week. That’s right! For the first time, I’m breaking this interview into two parts. Keith had so much to say and we almost reached the 2-hour mark, so I said, let’s split this up.
Enjoy the part one of my interview with Keith Surplus.