ABOUT

ELAINE BURGE

ARTIST

Elaine grew up in Maysville, Georgia on 23 acres with a family that always enjoyed the outdoors and encouraged her creativity. She went on to graduate from the University of Georgia with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. She worked as a web designer in Atlanta for a couple of years but always took up any opportunity to have a brush in her hand, painted over the summers with a local muralist and then later painted the scenery behind miniature train layouts. It wasn't until she met her now husband, Richey, that she gathered the courage to take the leap and pursue a career as a professional artist. Elaine and Richey live in Riddleville, Georgia with their two daughters, Lucy and Bonnie, four dogs and seven chickens. She appreciates the bright stars of the night sky, all of the abundant wildlife and the peaceful pace of life that living in the country provides.

KATI EVERETT

STUDIO MANAGER

Kati grew up thinking she wanted to be the next Katie Couric, but her broadcast dreams evolved and she ended up earning a degree in print journalism instead. After graduating from the University of South Carolina she moved to Chicago to work in PR and write for a small magazine. While flying home to SC one weekend, she met her would-be husband on an airplane and after dating long distance for four months decided to move back south. After getting married they moved back to his hometown of Sandersville where Kati and Elaine became friends. God’s timing is always perfect and just as Elaine was needing some extra help running the studio, Kati, who was now a stay-at-home-mom, was looking for a creative outlet. She’s been running the business side of the studio ever since and loves being able to use her background in communication to build relationships with clients. Stephen and Kati have three children, Cole, 12, Rue, 10, and Ward, 5. Stephen is a veterinarian and in their free time the family enjoys time in the outdoors on their pond or in their pecan orchard.

KELLI SMITH

JEWELRY DESIGNER

Kelli grew up in Jesup, Georgia and earned a Educational Specialist degree in Early Childhood Education. She met her husband, Jeffery in college and they later relocated to his hometown of Sandersville. They have three beautiful daughters; Victoria, Alexis and Mary Thomas. Victoria apprenticed under Elaine her senior year at Brentwood. Kelli and Elaine struck up a conversation about their shared urge to create things at a mutual friend's birthday party and she decided to jump from teaching Pre-Kindergarten, after 22 years, to designing jewelry!