Podcast Summary: "Going Big with Art: How Polly Gentry Transformed Tragedy into Impact"

Episode Release Date: February 24, 2025

In this compelling episode of Going Big! with Kevin Gentry, host Kevin Gentry engages in an inspiring conversation with Polly Gentry, a Kansas-based abstract multimedia artist. The discussion delves into Polly’s transformation of personal tragedy and national events into impactful art, her journey as an artist, and her dedication to supporting fallen soldiers and their families through her creative endeavors.

Introduction to Polly Gentry

Kevin Gentry opens the episode by introducing Polly Gentry, highlighting her vibrant and dynamic artistic style that has garnered national recognition. Raised in Omaha, Nebraska, Polly was immersed in a creative environment from a young age. Her father, a respected architect, and her mother, a skilled seamstress, filled their home with art from masters like Picasso and Chagall, fostering Polly’s early appreciation for the arts.

Polly Gentry reflects on her upbringing:
[00:00] “Just listen to your heart and... don't wait for it to come find you. You know, I feel like people just... think about ways that that could possibly impact.”

Polly’s Artistic Journey

Polly recounts how, despite her early exposure to art, she did not pursue it professionally until later in life. Balancing life’s responsibilities, she found the time to rekindle her passion after her youngest child became independent. She enrolled in art classes, which rekindled her creative spark and led her to embrace abstract expressionism.

Polly discusses discovering her passion:
[04:42] “I took a lot of abstract classes. I felt very comfortable with... making a stroke on a canvas and then letting it speak to me.”

The Flags of Honor Series: Turning Tragedy into Art

The conversation pivots to a pivotal moment in Polly’s life—the 2021 troop withdrawal from Afghanistan. Witnessing the tragic loss of 13 U.S. servicemen and women moved Polly to use her art as a medium for honoring their sacrifices. She embarked on the "Flags of Honor" series, creating 13 vibrant canvases, each representing a fallen soldier.

Polly explains her motivation and process:
[06:18] “I had to paint some flags. I just felt like... I had painted a lot of flags through the pandemic and expressing my feelings.”

She elaborates on her connection to each soldier:
[09:03] “I read about every single soldier I dove into... I said, do you mind if I... donate the money to you guys?”

Collaboration with Folds of Honor Foundation

Recognizing the importance of supporting military families, Polly decided to donate the proceeds from her art to the Folds of Honor Foundation—a mission close to her heart due to her husband’s fraternity connection. She collaborated with Lt. Col. Dan Rooney, founder of the foundation, ensuring that her work contributed meaningfully to honoring fallen heroes.

Polly shares the genesis of her partnership:
[10:40] “I called up the Folds of Honor foundation and... I said, do you mind if I... donate the money to you guys?”

Impact and Stories: Changing Lives Through Art

Polly’s art transcends aesthetic beauty, fostering deep emotional connections. One notable story involves the presentation of a flag to Herman Lopez, father of fallen soldier Hunter Lopez, at a Folds of Honor gala in Indio, California. The gesture provided solace and honor to a grieving family, demonstrating the profound impact of Polly’s work.

Polly recounts the touching moment:
[15:33] “Hunter's dad, Herman Lopez, is wanting to honor his memory... that was a really touching moment.”

Advice for Aspiring Artists and Leaders

Kevin shifts the conversation to advice for listeners seeking to capitalize on their gifts to make a significant impact. Polly emphasizes the importance of seizing moments of inspiration and not waiting for external validation. She encourages listeners to act on their passions wholeheartedly.

Polly advises:
[17:50] “Just go for it and listen to the little whispers that you may have.”

Overcoming Challenges and Building a Sustainable Art Practice

Discussing the challenges of sustaining an artistic career, Polly acknowledges the difficulties of managing the business side of art. She advocates for trusting oneself, seeking help where needed, and leveraging social media platforms like Instagram for marketing and community engagement.

Polly shares her strategies:
[19:21] “It's just a matter of trusting yourself and being... keep at it, it's surprising how the momentum picks up.”

Recognition and Growth: The Role of Mentors

Polly highlights the significant role her art instructors played in her development. Encouragement from mentors propelled her to enter national exhibitions, where her unique style and heartfelt messages earned her recognition and awards, fueling her passion to continue creating impactful art.

Polly reflects on mentorship:
[21:17] “There was one who just encouraged me to have the conversation with the canvas... it gave me the encouragement to keep going.”

Future Projects: Expanding the Vision

Looking ahead, Polly discusses her upcoming projects, which will blend her artistic themes with military tributes. She envisions creating larger, fashion-inspired pieces that honor soldiers, further merging her artistic expression with her commitment to supporting the military community.

Polly outlines her future plans:
[23:21] “I actually have a sort of a fashion theme in my next works, and I want them to be big.”

Final Words of Inspiration: Embracing One’s Gifts

In the closing segment, Polly offers heartfelt advice to listeners about identifying and embracing their unique gifts. She shares her experience with aptitude testing, which helped her discover her talent for sculpture, leading to the creation of her distinctive pinned hearts.

Polly shares her advice to her younger self:
[24:43] “I told them I like to paint... they said, you should sculpt.”

Her final encouragement to listeners:
[28:51] “Just listen to your heart and don't wait for it to come find you... think about ways that that could possibly impact.”

Connecting with Polly Gentry

Listeners interested in Polly Gentry’s art can follow her creative journey through her Instagram and Facebook pages under "Polly Gentry Studio," and explore her works at polygentry.com.

Conclusion

This episode of Going Big! masterfully showcases how Polly Gentry transformed personal and national tragedy into powerful art that honors fallen soldiers and supports their families. Her story underscores the importance of leveraging one’s unique talents to create meaningful change, serving as a beacon of inspiration for listeners to embrace their gifts and make a lasting impact.

Notable Quotes:

• Polly Gentry at [00:00]: “Just listen to your heart and... don’t wait for it to come find you.”
• Polly Gentry at [06:18]: “I had to paint some flags... expressing my feelings.”
• Polly Gentry at [17:50]: “Just go for it and listen to the little whispers that you may have.”
• Polly Gentry at [28:51]: “Think about ways that that could possibly impact.”