Alyssa

Hi, I'm Alyssa! Born and raised here in Arizona, I'm a lifelong artist - I started drawing just about as soon as I could pick up a pen and just never stopped! My first introduction to acrylics was watching my father paint, fascinated by the way he built the scene up out of nothing. I went on to study at New School for the Arts and Academics here in Tempe, and received my degree in Digital Illustration from Mesa Community College. Though digital art is my specialty, I love to learn and experiment with many different mediums, and working with acrylic feels like coming back to my roots. I can't wait to see you here at Painting with a Twist, and I hope you'll have as much fun as I will!

Brooke

Hello! My name is Brooke. Here at Painting With a Twist, I've been an artist since June of 2024 and studio manager since September 2024. I have been drawing practically my whole life, from a fairly young age art has been the only thing that could capture and hold my attention for hours on end. Around the age of 12 I took an interest in pencil portraiture, and that was my main focus, the skill I dedicated a lot of time and attention to over the next 8 years. When COVID came around and we went into lockdown, I took up painting with acrylic. At first, just very silly and cartoon-y paintings (I was painting memes) were what eased me into working with color and in a new medium. But over time, it's become my favorite medium to work with and I create pieces that reflect the trials and inner struggles that I face in life, and occasionally, just things I think are funny or pretty! Before coming to Painting With a Twist, I attended Central Arizona College and received my AA in Elementary Education. While I was in school, I spent three years years as a Paraprofessional for developmental preschool in a district here in the valley. I carry a lot of skills over from my time working with kids; I always try to approach life and people with open-mindedness, honesty, and curiosity. I take great joy in seeing people develop their artistic skills and build their confidence working with different materials. I hope I can see you soon!

Artist Website

Bruce

Hello there! My name is Bruce and I'm an Arizona based artist studying sculpture at ASU. Since I was a child I've always had a creative spark, with my earliest memory being how I entered and won a local cafe’s art competition. Throughout my life I have always loved how weird and creative artists are, seeing media like Studio Ghibli’s Ponyo or Cartoon Network’s over the garden wall series amazed me, and as I grew older I gained an appreciation and obsession for antiques and the eras from which they came. I often find myself inspired by the kitsch era from the 50’s along with the art deco style of the 1920’s as well as other periods of time. I value the creativity and craftsmanship of these older eras and try to implement the same quality into my own work. When it comes to the type of art I make I often tell people that I'm a “jack of all trades”. I love to explore and try a little bit of everything, my skills consist of drawing and painting (acrylic, oil, watercolor), wood working, fine metal working (jewelry), sewing, embroidery, film, music composing, ETC. Overall I am a very creative person who is always open to new ideas, and I hope to see you all in our studio!

Artist Website

Christi

Hello! My name is Christi Whaley, I’m 23 and am an artist based in Ahwatukee, Arizona. I moved here from Chicago a few years ago and have loved living in the desert ever since! My favorite thing to do is to connect with others through creative expression. I love empowering others to use their creative side and see that life is always colorful and dynamic. I hope to see you in the studio soon so we can be ourselves together!

Esperanza Gonzalez

Hi there! I’m Esperanza! I was born in Illinois and moved here to Arizona when I was about 5 (although I still visit every summer). I’m a local Mexican-American artist who started to paint/draw as soon as I could hold a pencil. I even ended up getting my Associates in Drawing and Painting in 2022 from Mesa Community College. Although I mainly paint/draw nature scenes and in a cartoon style, I also am able to create various things using clay, ink, and thread! I’m basically a jack of all trades. I’ve started to create more and more and even have a website now ! So feel free to take a look ;) I’m looking forward to my future here with Painting with a Twist and hope to see you soon!

Artist Website

Nir

Israeli born artist who spent his formative years in Venezuela before moving to the United States at age 32. In 1995 Nir received a Bachelor of Law from the Universidad Santa Maria in Caracas, Venezuela, where he founded the Nir Katularu and Estrella Gabizon law firm before completing his law degree. While practicing law, Nir established a successful restaurant business by opening Picasso’s restaurant which he managed until his departure in 2003. The door opened to Nir’s artistic voice in 2004 shortly after his arrival in America. He took classes in ceramics and glass fusion at Paradise Valley Community College and developed a collectorship early on in his artistic journey. In 2015 Nir’s interest in abstract expression took hold, leading him to the Scottsdale Artists School where he enrolled in Master Artist Marianne Mitchell’s workshop - Opening the Realm of Abstraction. Nir has continued his studies with Marianne Mitchell in her Artist Mastery programs, and is now a professional abstract fine artist. In the summer of 2019 Nir founded the Nir Art Studio + Gallery in Fountain Hills, Arizona.

Artist Website