Frankie

My name is Frankie! I'm an Iowa transplant from Milwaukee, WI with a BFA in Integrated Studio Arts from Iowa State University. I focused in ceramics and drawing but eventually succumbed to the "painter" label. I love working with mixed media, mostly 2D, and rarely travel without my bullet journal and fineliner pens. While I've dedicated a large portion of my life to the visual arts, most people know me as a dancer! I work gigs as a professional dancer and represent the Iowa Barnstormers as a veteran of the Stormchasers Dance Team (3 years and counting). I love the pom dance style and all things sassy but the majority of my dance training was through Irish dancing! After competing and performing with the Glencastle Irish Dancers in Milwaukee, I grew as an instructor and director of the Irish dance program and Irish Performance Team with the Robert Thomas Dancenter in Ames, IA. I have a passion for expression and all of my work, including performance pieces, is flooded with symbolism and personal stories or meaning. I can't wait to discuss color theory with you during our next event!

Lily

Hey, my name is Lily and I’m a studio experience coordinator at Bottle & Bottega Des Moines. I am originally from rural Northwestern Iowa and moved to Des Moines to student teach. I am a high school English teacher at Des Moines Public Schools with a degree in Secondary English Education, theatre, marketing, digital media, and graphic design from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA. When I’m not busy teaching or working at the studio, I enjoy mentoring disadvantaged youth in the Des Moines area, kayaking, hiking, painting, reading, journaling, growing my vintage record collection, and spending time with family and friends. Oh yeah, and spending time with my Great Pyrenees/Aussie puppy named Finneas. I can’t wait for you to come into the studio and paint with me!

Igor

Hello, my name is Igor. I was born in Ukraine in the city of Kharkiv. Since my school years, I dreamed of becoming a professional artist. After I graduated from high school, I entered the Kharkov Art Academy, and spent seven years studying painting, drawing, art composition, graphic illustration, art and industrial design. I was one of the top students of my class, and several of my projects had won awards for the best art design at International Exhibitions. I graduated from Art University in 1991 with Master Degree in Fine Arts. From that time, I have been worked as graphic artist and art designer. I have lived in the US since 1997. I continue to work as a freelance artist (watercolor, tempera, acrylic, digital photo manipulation, 3d rendered art images). My professional skills are unique because they combine strong academic art school and latest advances in digital graphic media. In my art, I have always attempted to synthesize natural beauty of the world with uniqueness of my imagination. My earlier works are almost exclusively romantic and fairytale-like made by watercolor and tempera. I now combined digital art and photography to compliment my academic skills. In my art, you will find a wide variety of media through which I express my vision of the world.

Artist Website

Nibras

Hello everyone! My name is Nibras Abdalla. I was born in Sudan, my family fled the country's harsh economic situation when I was two years old. I spent eleven years in Damascus, Syria, before arriving in the United States in 2007. I have been interested in art my entire life. I began painting as a very young girl, my first painting experience was at our backyard in Damascus. I was fascinated by nature and capturing colors in flowers and birds. I obtained a bachelor in Biological Premedical Illustration from Iowa State University. My degree has equipped me with artistic techniques and a broad range of design skills, while focusing on natural science. Painting has been therapeutic and a source of joy for me, and I am very excited to share that passion with you at Bottle & Bottega Des Moines!

Artist Website

Chloe

Greetings and salutations, my name is Chloe! I've been doing art and the like since before I can remember. I stick mainly to character designs and have far more sketches than I can count. That said, I'm a genuine jack of all trades when it comes to art. I'll paint, animate, sculpt, sew, embroider, and just about anything else I can get my hands on. They say curiosity killed the cat, but I think it's going to kill my bank account first. I'm a dichotomous lover of both the macabre and the adorable, so that makes for a very interesting brain space. After graduating from Sarah Lawrence College with a BA, I realized that I just want to spend my life creating with others. So come on down and create with me!

Artist Website

Kayana

Born in the South Suburbs of Chicago, 21-year-old Kayana Thomas has always had a love for art. Growing up in a Christian home filled with beautiful African art she developed her faith and her passion for art. Proud of her African-American heritage she loves illustration, animation and portraits, particularly depicting African Americans. Formally trained in still life and figure drawing she is currently working towards earning a bachelor's degree in studio arts at Grandview University. She plans on using her degree to fulfil one of life-long dreams, creating and directing animated films. Along with a separate part-time job she works weekends at Bottle & Bottega of Des Moines where she teaches and hosts painting parties. Kayana also volunteers for a new faith-based non-profit known as the Des Moines Dream Center, where she directs and teaches free art classes for impoverished children of Des Moines. Kayana's faith in God has opened so many opportunities to use her art to better herself and impact her community in positive ways.

Artist Website

KC

Hello! My name is K.C. McLaughlin! I am a UNI graduate with a degree in Art Studio with an Emphasis in Drawing! I enjoy all things art related but have fallen in love with painting and color theory. I am happy to be part of the Bottle & Bottega team to be able to teach others how to paint!

Madison

Hi, my name is Madison! I am originally from the Western Chicago suburbs and came to Des Moines in 2017 to attend Drake University. I recently graduated with a BFA in Graphic Design. While I mainly chose to pursue design, I have a love of and experience in just about every type of fine and studio art from printmaking, ceramics, illustration, mixed media, and of course, painting. A big goal of mine for 2022 is to design and launch a brand to begin sharing and selling my personal work, but when I'm not working on an art or design project, I enjoy thrifting and antiquing for vintage clothing and decor pieces as well as adding to my vinyl collection. I look forward to painting with you soon!

Mica

Hello, my name is Mica! I recently graduated from Iowa State University with a BA in Scientific Illustration! My interest in Scientific illustration came from my love for botany, horticulture and of course art. My home is filled with over 200 plants of all species that I love to draw and paint. My husband and I have 4 Chihuahuas together earning me the title of crazy chihuahua lady. When I'm not drawing, I enjoy hiking, kayaking, and caring for my houseplants. I can't wait to paint with you!

Haley

Hello! My name is Haley and I’m an all-around creative individual. I grew up in the Des Moines area and attended college at Des Moines Area Community College. From there I went on to take more art classes through The University of Iowa and that’s when I realized that choosing one area of art for myself to focus on was just not for me. I am constantly trying new things and challenging my artistic freedom. After leaving The University of Iowa, I spent a year in Kansas City, growing as an artist and finding my passion to help others while working at a day program teaching art to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since returning to Des Moines, I have continued my work with the special needs community and have found myself here, ready to have a great time with you at your next event! To me, everyone is an artist! I’m constantly seeing the aesthetics in the world around me, even when it’s not so obvious and applying this sort of thinking to my watercolor paintings, ink drawings, fiber projects, and of course acrylic paintings!

Jordan

Jordan is a Higher Education professional by day and artist by night. His primary mediums are pen and ink, digital painting, and acrylic painting. Jordan creates art to better understand who he is and the world around him. He says, “A better me, a better you, and a better world all starts with our capacity to imagine.“ He’s been working with Bottle & Bottega Des Moines since 2018 and loves sharing his passion for art and creativity with the people in his class.

Artist Website

Monika

Hi, I’m Monika! I recently graduated from Iowa State University with a BFA in Integrated Studio Arts. I always knew I would continue my path to become an artist from when I was young. My family is full of painters and artists who inspired me to follow my dreams. I love to inspire others to discover their inner artist and not be so afraid of a canvas! When I’m not painting or drawing, I spend my time with my two cats, Riso and Denali, baking in the kitchen, or out skateboarding. I like to channel our beloved creator, Bob Ross, when painting and hope you can join me to paint some “happy little trees” soon!