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Our Santa Clarita, CA Painting with a Twist Artists

Viola

Viola

"Art is something that makes you breathe with a different kind of happiness" Anni Albers. My name is Viola and I was born and raised in Germany, but have lived in the L.A. area since 1996. I started experimenting with different mediums at an early age. The first medium I fell in love with was mirrors. I would smash them and make collages with broken mirror pieces and sell them. I was discovered along with Diane Kruger by Elite Modeling agency in Hamburg and worked as a model and singer all over the world until 2005. My career allowed me to travel to 60 different countries and I became passionate about learning of different cultures, food, customs, architecture, and art. One of my favorite trips is to Vienna to view the golden art of Gustav Klimt. I am obsessed with churches. I have found the most beautiful churches are in Eastern Europe. The terrible beauty of amazing architecture destroyed by poverty is haunting-Vilnius in Lithuania being one of my favorite places. I became obsessed with illuminated manuscript-the darkness illuminated by gold leaf and light inspired me. The Book of Kells in Dublin is probably my favorite, I often travel to Dublin and relish each opportunity to visit the Trinity College Library where it is on display. Diane Avis, my art teacher and mentor, taught me everything I know about painting. She always pushed me beyond my limits. Every time, I sit down to paint I hear her voice in the back of my head: “Work from large to small…find a stable point...step back…use paint to paint…don’t mix palettes…use your plumb line…lightest light and darkest dark...stay loose.” After years of charcoal sketches, set ups and live drawing, I studied old masters such as Claude Monet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Vincent Van Gogh, Edouard Manet, Camille Pissaro, Jean Baptiste Simeon Chardin, Rembrandt van Rijn, Edgar Degas, etc. at Mission Renaissance Fine Art School in Pacific Palisades, Ca. from 2003-2008. The first time I exclusively used a pallet knife was when I duplicated Sea at Ogunquit by Edward Hopper. I fell in love with the use of the pallet knife-how you could apply really thick and juicy paint on the canvas, create more depth than you could with a brush and take “mixing high” to a whole new level. Visiting the tombs in the Valley of the Kings in Egypt, I was fascinated with the darkness of the tombs and the illumination of the gold hieroglyphics. Soon, I began to combine thick paint applied with a pallet knife with gold, copper, and silver metals...I had found my own style. In my personal life I enjoy being a mother of 2 boys, have been teaching Art Appreciation at my son's elementary school for K,1st and 2nd grade for 3 years, sing in the Bel Air Church choir, enjoy scuba diving, horseback riding, skiing, golf, tennis, Bikram yoga, swimming, photography, cooking, baking, knitting and sewing. I would love to share my passion for art with you and can't wait to see you at the studio to let loose and create some fun art. "Earth without art is just eh"- Go. Make. Art.

Dianne

Dianne

Meet Dianne Porter. Dianne has over 30 years experience in the field of art. Graduating from Cal State Northridge in Graphic Design, Fine Arts and Art History, and then pursued a career in Graphic Design. She is passionate about art and you can often find her in a coffee shop with her sketchbook. Dianne's love for painting and teaching has lead her to teaching art to children in the areas of fine art, sculpting and anime. She also teaches painting classes to adults at various Community Centers. She loves being a part of Painting With A Twist.

Jasmine

Jasmine

Josie

Josie

My name is Josie Mae Messina. I am a self-taught mixed media artist. Anything I learned about art outside of general education was completely self taught. I started with illustration, focusing mainly on still life drawings. I moved onto realism from there and hyperrealism. Then I focused on watercolor painting for many years. Now I focus on collage based artwork using recycled materials. I am a huge believer in “everyone is an artist” and love bonding with people through art. When I say I am an artist, I mean Im here to help you heal, cope, and laugh through color, texture, and experiences. I look forward to working with you!

Margie

Margie

I love the arts! I am a music composer for TV and movies; including “The Hunters”, “Charmed”, “Killer Women”, “Série Noire”, “Pacific Heat”, and “Detour”, to name a few. I’m a songwriter and have released 6 CDs of original songs. My career in music has included live performances as a featured soloist in ensembles both large and small including full symphony. Additionally, I’ve been deeply involved in the musical and artistic life of several large flagship churches which includes the role as Music Director of the church. As a visual artist, my passion is oil paint and mosaic and have won multiple awards for both. I’ve been an exhibiting member of the California Art League, The Valley Artist Guild and The Santa Clarita Art Association and have been a Columnist for VAG, a monthly artist publication.   I’ve recently started illustrating children’s books, a joyful endeavor that is more play than work. I am currently the Children’s Ministry Pastor at my home church in Los Angeles. I look forward to sharing my joy and passion for the arts with you!

Sonia

Sonia

Hi there! I'm Sonia, your easy going companion on this fun art adventure! I've been painting since I was a kid, capturing landscapes and scenes with many vibrant colors. As a self-taught artist and entrepreneur, I've sold my pieces, graphic prints, and hand-painted wine bottles with many others, sharing my love for art with the world. When I'm not lost in a world of imagination, you'll find me chilling at the beach, cooking up tasty meals, exploring new cultures, or hanging out with loved ones. Let's have a blast getting creative and unleashing our inner artists together.

Terah

Terah

An imaginative artist raised in the warm suburbs of Santa Clarita, California, Terah Ramos has been creating since she was a young child. While her first passion came for writing and performing music, Terah discovered a strong affinity for art while taking a class in high school. In advanced art classes, she was able to evolve and refine her realistic style. In college, while pursuing a double major in Business Administration and Spanish, Terah continued to add to her portfolio. During the global pandemic, she spent her time inside specializing in portraits, depicting the real life icons, special to her friends and family. She's since gone on to paint meaningful commissions and murals for local businesses. Now working on art & music full-time, her favorite joy in life is to find and describe the beauty in others and their creations.

Tracy

Tracy

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