Gillian Fazio

Gillian has been instructing twisters since 2015 at her home studio in Lakeland, Florida. She graduated from the University of Florida in the spring of 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in fine arts concentrating in painting. When Gillian’s instructing, twisters can expect an upbeat and vibrant class. Her spunky and animated teaching style makes everyone feel they can live their best life while trying something out of their comfort zone! When Gillian’s not Twisting, she works full time painting with all the colors of the wind on custom murals and large-scale paintings. She has showcased her work in art festivals across the State of Florida. Outside of work she enjoys live music, traveling to museums, spilling tea, watching Bravo, dancing, and eating spicy food! Check out her Instagram @gfazioart to see her art!

Artist Website

Joclyn Emerson

Joclyn has been a PWAT artist since 2015 and has taught almost 200 PWAT masterpieces! She graduated in 2013 from USF with a Fine Arts degree in drawing and painting but this artist specializes in Fun Art! With lots of patience and good humor, she enjoys teaching all ages. Her favorite part about the job is helping to build Twister’s confidence through painting. Some fun and random facts about Joclyn: she has 4 dogs, 14 chickens, she’s scuba certified, and she was on the 2009 FL Strawberry Festival Queen’s Court. You can check out her personal work on her Etsy and Facebook page!

Artist Website

Kari Dennis

Kari, our studio manager as well as accomplished artist, came to us in 2014 from just outside of Chattanooga, TN, where she was a middle school art teacher for three years. She has a degree in Art Education from Tennessee Tech University and has been painting since high school. Kari’s fun and very laid back personality and teaching style make painting with her a relaxing and enjoyable experience. When she’s not painting, this artist enjoys spending time with her husband Ryan and their little girl Claire, finding new adventures to get into!

Tori

Tori graduated from Austin Peay State University in 2014 with a Bachelors degree in Fine Art. Whilst studying, she fell in love with painting, color theory, and art history. Her specific studies included watercolor, drawing, and art curation. She moved soon after graduating from APSU to Lakeland from small-town Dickson, Tennessee. She loves cycling, thrift shopping, and sippin sake!. Tori is excited to be a part of the Painting with a Twist family and to share the experience of FUN art with the community! Follow her on Instagram @toribradyart

Jodi Crum

Jodi is from the small town of Rossville, Indiana. She’s now enjoying the Florida life while going to school at Florida Southern College here in Lakeland. She is majoring in art education and is super excited to gain experience and have a lot of fun painting with all you Twisters! Her quiet and cheerful self will brighten up your day while helping you create a piece worthy to hang on that wall at home. Jodi is the oldest of 6 kids (yep, you read that right!), a coffee enthusiast, has a love for elephants and sunflowers, and can’t wait to share her passion of art with the Painting with a Twist community!

Katie Bores

Katie is the newest addition to the PWAT team post-COVID. Originally from Vietnam, she was adopted and raised in Apopka, Florida. From ballet, painting, photography, calligraphy, piano, to digital media, she’s often referenced as “The Renaissance Girl” for her extensive interest in all things Fine Arts. Katie is currently in school at Southeastern University for a Visual Arts, BA, a Graphic Design minor, and certificate in Deaf Studies. She may come off shy and awkward at first, but she probably just needs coffee… Her free time usually consists of custom commissions, starting a non-profit organization, and prepping for her own company launch. Katie is thrilled to join such an amazing group of artists to show every Twister there’s an artist in them!