Our Carmel, IN Painting with a Twist Artists

Angie

Hi, my name is Angie. I’m a mom to an awesome young girl, a slightly feisty yet sweet cat and a handsome bearded dragon. Born and raised in NE Indiana, I moved down to Indianapolis when I attended University of Indianapolis and have stayed here ever since. Though I always had a creative side growing up, I studied Biology and Chemistry while in college. My day job became one of a chemist, but having creative projects was always something that was necessary for my well being in my free time. Painting found me when I was in a bit of a funk and it just clicked with me. It was very natural to pick up and more importantly, extremely therapeutic. I went all in and have continued to strive to improve my skills since. My main style could be described as vibrant, fantasy art. However, I also have done and enjoy abstract and expressionism. I was given the opportunity to teach classes at the apartment complex that I was living in at the time and thoroughly enjoyed seeing someone walk away with a piece of art that they never would have thought they could create. Everyone has a creative bone and I look forward to being able to help you on your own journey to creating an amazing piece of art you can be proud of!

Joanna

Hi. My name is Joanna Wood, but I also go by Jo. I love art and have been working on my art since childhood, but attended Ohio State University for Natural Resources and Landscape Architecture due to my love of the outdoors, as well. After I spent several years focusing on a career in land management, I then started doing pencil drawings followed by ink, charcoal, pastels and color pencils for fun and relaxation. Building on that I started finding classes in several different paint mediums. I have taken classes in painting with oils, watercolors, acrylics, and in the use of airbrush acrylics. Also during this time, I have been dabbling in digital art, etching and ceramics. What I found in all of these classes is the joy of creating and painting with others, and learning to teach others art started to come into focus. I come from a long line of teachers so it was natural for me to pick up on the teaching techniques both in art and in other skills I had learned over the years. While my current career as an environmental manager and GIS specialist with the State of Indiana has been rewarding by combining art, science, nature and teaching, I am further honing my art to follow my heart as I approach early retirement and the opportunity to make it my second career. I am excited to be able to work with this great team and all of you.

Johanna

Hello fellow artists! I am Johanna Gianforte and I graduated from Ball State University with a bachelor in arts education emphasizing in drawing and painting. I have been teaching in K-12 public education since 2011. Currently, I work part-time at Fishers High School teaching a variety of art mediums. My other time is spent at home with my two young children and creating my own artwork. During the summer I am lucky to spend my days as a teaching artist at Newfields, exploring the grounds and helping our youth cultivate a love of the arts. In my 10 years of teaching I have worked with all ages, including a variety of adult workshops providing professional development to art educators in the state of Indiana. It is with much excitement that I am joining the painting with a twist team and I cannot wait to help your painting skills grow!

Michelle

Ray

Sherri

Hello! I’m Sherri Cline - a graduate of Ball State University with a degree in fine arts education and an emphasis in painting and ceramics. I have taught full-time elementary art since 2010; currently in Fishers, IN. I enjoy spending my summers as a teaching artist at Newfields’ summer art camps and family day events. I have shared the joy of creativity with artists of all ages in a variety of settings including adult workshops and conference lectures as a former district representative for the Art Education Association of Indiana (AEAI). When I’m not in the teaching spotlight I seek inspiration from backpacking National Parks and practicing yoga. I truly believe art is for everybody! I can’t wait to bring the joy of painting to you, your family, and friends.

Vanessa