Meet the Team
Here at The Savage Way, we love that we are able to offer a creative space for artists. Say hello to the faces behind the scenes – our talented team of creatives, artists, makers & doers. Our Moss Artists & Corporate Team work from our studio in Charlotte, NC and our Clean Graffiti Manager works all across the country. We also partner with tons of local artists / vendors whenever we can.
Torrie Savage
Paula Bartlett
Owners
Tell us a bit about your backgrounds & your role at TSW.
Torrie: I am a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. My career in marketing & advertising spanned a decade and I was climbing the corporate ladder as a Marketing Director before I decided to venture out on my own. I started The Savage Way in 2012 and what started as a social media consultation business, has since grown into an arts / advertising agency that focuses on two out-of-the-box creative offerings. These two things might seem random, but they are both rooted in advertising, arts and mother nature.
Day-to-day you can find me at the studio either working on creative direction for projects, guiding current clients, prospecting new clients or creating content for our social and marketing channels.
How did you two meet?
What is the driving force behind TSW?
Kimmy
Keslin
Project Manager
Tell us a little about yourself.
I have always loved moving and exploring new places. Born in Baltimore, MD but raised and grew up in Chattanooga, TN. Later headed out to University of Georgia (go dawgs!) where I studied Fashion Merchandising. Then spent time after college moving from Knoxville, Asheville and Greenville before settling here in Charlotte. I now enjoy time exploring on the weekends with my husband, Jim and best friend, Gatsby.
What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?
Matt & Kim are my all time favorite band that I would quit my job to become a groupie if I could. But my current playlist is a hodge podge of indie music ranging from calming to dance party.
What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?
I love working at TSW because I get to use my creative brain every day. I enjoy getting my hands dirty and pulling out my crafty skill set to get a job done. Being able to combine my fashion degree, consumer behavior studies, interior design interests and DIY skills all in one place is perfect for me. Dragging along Chief Barking Officer, Gatsby, to work everyday is also a plus 🙂
What is your favorite project you've worked on?
I loved watching the UNCC Dubois Center come to life as it was a design I had imagined in my head and all the other lovely ladies here at TSW helped get it out of my brain and onto paper. It was a great group collaboration and fun watching something I had imagined grow into a client’s perfect piece.
Hannah
Kitzmann
Senior Moss Artist / Graphic Designer
Tell us a little about yourself.
I grew up in Rock Hill, SC. and was homeschooled through high school. I graduated from Winthrop with a BFA in Illustration. I have a dog named Daisy.
What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?
Indie, people like Brandi Carlile and The Avett Brothers.
What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?
Being able to use my creativity on a daily basis with other like minded women, and continually growing and learning new things.
What is your favorite project you've worked on?
I really enjoyed the design process for the new Goldies pieces, they are fun and full of color which was a challenge laying everything out in a dynamic and cohesive way.
KAssidy Block
Moss Artist
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Jesup, Georgia, but moved all around the Southeast as a kid. We settled in Beaufort, South Carolina, where I finished high school, after which I decided to go study at the University of South Carolina. I majored in Computer Science with a minor in Media Arts. USC is also where I met my partner Caleb (Hannah’s Brother!), and in 2020 we decided to move to Charlotte. We currently have 2 cats who love naps and treats.
What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?
My go-to band is probably the Beatles since I’ve been listening to them since I was 6, but Jim Croce is probably my favorite musician, and lately I’ve been exploring Japanese Pop.
What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?
Getting to be creative at work is a big perk! I also love the sense of accomplishment from putting a finished Moss Art piece up on the wall.
What is your favorite project you've worked on?
There’s so many to choose from! The McDonalds panel we did was massive, but I really liked the colors, working with purple is a rare treat!
Rileigh
Bryant
Moss Artist
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Detroit, Michigan, but moved down to Charlotte when I was 4 and have stayed in North Carolina since. I went to school at Appalachian State and graduated with a BS in Commercial Photography, with a specialization in Fashion & Beauty. My family has a goofy but sweet lil husky named Nanook, and four cats we just can’t seem to get rid of.
What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?
I love modern indie/alternative music, but will always have a soft spot for classic rock and music from the ’70s and ’80s.
What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?
I feel really lucky to work with such a wonderful and talented group of creative women. I find myself excited to go to work each day, which is really lovely to be able to say. It also doesn’t hurt that we get to hang out with the cutest pups all day (who run the show, let’s be honest).
What is your favorite project you've worked on?
I really enjoyed working on the rental walls that were used at the PGA. It was one of the first things I got to work on, and was a fun mix of mood, sheet, and reindeer.
Shelena
Clark
Moss Artist
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born in Queens, New York, and moved back and forth between New York and North Carolina growing up. North Carolina has been home for over 10 years now!
I’m a creative person at heart. I love plants, nature, creating digital collage art, and video editing. I also love exploring new places, trying new things, and finding different ways to express my creativity. I also enjoy making people laugh!
What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?
My music taste is honestly all over the place! I love anything that makes me feel something or puts me in a good mood.
What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?
My favorite thing about working at The Savage Way is getting to work with my hands and create beautiful pieces of moss art. I love working with natural materials and seeing each piece come together in its own unique way!
Gillian Kaminski
MOSS ARTIST
Tell us a little about yourself.
I have been in Charlotte since first grade, and have slowly been falling in love with the city, especially since graduating from Western Carolina in 2024 with two bachelors, one in Art and the other in Education. I grew up with cats and I can’t wait to get fur babies of my own! When I’m not actively attempting to avoid turning my fingers green from the moss (my other job is at a bridal studio and green hands is not a good look for white gowns.) I can be found attending local and live music, working on another miscellaneous artistic medium, doing something out in nature, or off on some level of a side quest!
What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?
What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?
Having access to a constant creative environment is something I am immensely grateful for and feel crazy lucky that I get to participate in on a weekly basis. On top of that, the people make up for whatever strife faux moss may inflict on me, truly this is such a supportive and lovely space to exist in, I am constantly getting to learn and just exist as an artist and it’s wonderful.
What is your favorite project you've worked on?
Thus far I think my favorite project has definitely been the Lander installations, specifically the stairwell install because that was my baby <3 I love getting to figure out new and creative problems!
Kate Russell
MOSS ARTIST
Tell us a little about yourself.
I’ve lived in North Carolina since I was two years old! I graduated from UNC Charlotte with a BFA in Illustration (go Niners!) I have four corgis and a cat, so my house is never quiet but it’s always fun! When I’m not making super awesome moss art at The Savage Way, you can find me birdwatching, animating, playing D&D, or watching cartoons. Regardless of what I’m doing though, you can count on there being a fuzzy critter right by my side!
What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?
What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?
I love all of the amazing people I get to work with at TSW! Everyone is kind, supportive, and fun to be around. I feel like I’m always set up for success because everyone listens and gives excellent feedback! I also really enjoy when Gatsby and Daisy (Hannah and Kimmy’s dogs) join us at the studio.
What is your favorite project you've worked on?
I really loved working on the Siemens wall! I was able to see that project come together start to finish and it was super awesome to watch it come to life. I also really enjoyed mossing those giant swathes of color because I could get in a groove!
Olivia Stern
MOSS ARTIST
Tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in Harrisburg, NC. Graduating from UNCC with a BFA in Illustration, my passion for art has led me to a career as a moss artist here at The Savage Way! In my free time, being the simple, homebody that I am, I enjoy binging old tv shows (currently watching The X-Files), playing video games, and spending quality time being silly with my husband, Brennon.
What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?
My go-to music would have to be something indie, pop, bossanova, or some combination of the three. My top artists are Bruno Mars, Micheal Jackson, and Jomm!
What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?
It’s hard for me to pick one favorite thing about working at TSW. I love being able to work creatively in a hands-on environment every day, and being able to have a job that’s so unique! I enjoy the fun, lively, and comfortable environment that all of my lovely coworkers create. And, of course, the one and only Gatsby!
What is your favorite project you've worked on?
I definitely enjoy working with mood moss and route-and-fill projects! If I had to choose one though, I’d say my favorite project was the ‘Swoop Wall’ piece for Siemens. I really enjoyed the artistic simplicity of it!