Our Artists

My name is Brian and I eat, sleep, and breathe art. I am a Mon Valley native and am so excited to have found an amazing home with the Painting with a Twist Washington team. I have always drawn and painted, in every step and every aspect of my life. My Dad used to take the plain wrapper off the newspapers before my brother would deliver them, and give it to me to draw on, as I undoubtedly had run out of construction paper weekly by that point. I have an Associates Degree in Illustration with a Minor in Photography from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, And have worked in the art field professionally for over 10 years. Every day at Painting with a Twist is a new adventure, filled with new challenges and amazing people coming to the studio to have fun and learn the hidden talents they have inside them, and have an amazingly fun time doing it. The sense of accomplishment I get from seeing someone paint a picture for the first time is, simply put, indescribable. Teaching, Instructing, and seeing the eyes of someone light up when they look at me and say "I didn't think I could do that!".....THAT, is success in it's purest form.

Hello! I was born and raised here in Pittsburgh, I started drawing the second I was able to grip a marker (much to the stress of my mother, for her the worlds “permanent marker” are more like a challenge than a statement). I earned my bachelor’s in Studio Art from Mercyhurst University up in Erie PA. I have taught at Pittsburgh Center for the Arts in Shady Side, and am working toward an art education degree through Cal U. When I’m not busy with school or painting anything I can get my hands on, I am a field hockey coach and day dreamer. I have always loved the process of art making and want to share that with anyone who wants to learn. Cheers!

My name is Lauren Rao and art has always been apart of my life. I’m originally from New York and recently moved to Pennsylvania. I love painting and art because it gives you a chance to freely express yourself. Some of my favorite mediums besides paint are, 3D sculpture, ceramics and wood burning. I have a Bachelor of science in Psychology with a Minor in Art and Criminal Justice from Bethany College WV. I’m always excited to meet new people and to teach any level from children to adults, new or old to painting!

Hello everyone! I am a Special Effect Make up Artist. I worked in the field of Emergency Medicine for 5 years, but art has always been my passion. I love to create monsters for film and the stage. I have been playing around with different art mediums my entire life. My mother is a watercolor artist, and has taught me to enjoy the arts from a young age. I just recently picked up Acrylic painting, although I have used them in the past. I am a self-published Author. I am a wife, a dog mom, a Christian, and I am surviving everyday with a great out look on life.

Renee has always been interested in art, and loves spreading the fun of painting in every class she teaches at Painting with a Twist. In her free time, she takes classes in various art forms such as jewelry making, pottery, and mosaic. You can also find her out at pub trivia games, cosplaying at sci fi and anime conventions with friends or at home watching TV with her cats, Ruby and Milo.