Andrea

My name is Andrea Driver. I am married and a mother of 3. I moved to Carmel in 83’. I am still local to the area. I am very involved in my children’s extra activities, I guess you could say I am their biggest fan. I am a very optimistic and passionate person. I did not go to school to be an artist but I have always dreamed one day I would become one. Here I am living my dream. I get very involved in all art mediums. I enjoy it all from ceramics and crafting to painting. Art comes naturally to my creative mind, that is not to say I don’t work hard to perfect it each day. I find painting to be very relaxing and soothing. I ask questions all the time and always want to learn how, when and why. I have worked in theater both on and off the stage. I enjoyed costume making and make- up artistry. Outside of working at my new dream job Painting with a Twist. I work at an elementary school as an Instructional Assistant. I wear many hats with that job, but my main hat and the one that makes my days the fullest is, I work with special needs. Nothing in the world gives me more joy then teaching all students.

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!

Kim

As a true lover of the arts I am so excited to bring that passion to you. Originally from Pennsylvania I relocated to Indiana in 1999. I am a married and the mother of 3 amazing children. For the past 19 years I have been an art teacher. Teaching art has brought so much joy to my life. I am experienced in many mediums with painting and ceramics being my true love. As a member of the Paint with a Twist team I am excited to share my love of art with you.

Melissa

Melissa is thrilled to be a member of the Painting With a Twist team! As a life long self taught artist, Melissa has worked with a variety of mediums including watercolor, acrylic, and oils, combining all sorts of mixed media with her own twist. Her work has been appreciated both locally on Indy Style TV, and internationally with clients as far as Sweden. Melissa gained the title of entrepreneur in 2010 when she created her own small business geared towards art and fashion. That experience led her to realize one of her favorite parts of the artistic process is sharing it with others and she knew teaching would be a great fit! Unfailingly calm with a quiet confidence, Melissa comes to class ready to help each participant create a piece of art to proudly display in their home. She hopes these paintings will bring a sense of accomplishment to the artist and remind them of a joyful experience for years to come.

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.