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.

Kimmy

Keslin

Project Manager

Photo of 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.

Ashley

Schewzyk

Moss Artist

Photo of Ashley Schewzyk, Moss Artist
Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in Charlotte. I’m married to Ollie Schewzyk and have two children whom we love and adore, Brayden (14) and Savannah (10), and three rescue pups. I graduated from Providence High School and got my marketing degree from ECU. In the past I worked in the floral world and still do from time to time and love it. And now I’m in the moss world and love being able to bring the two together and create artwork. It’s truly the best of both worlds.

What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?

I love Reggae music and listen to a lot of Stick Figure, they are one of my favorite bands.

What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?

It’s great working in an environment where you can be creative and work with many talented creative ladies. Where else can you go into work, listen to your favorite music, podcast or book and play with moss all day!?!?

What is your favorite project you've worked on?

It’s definitely the fern wall at PARA restaurant! But I also love the one I just finished inside Canteen at Camp North End. Similar vibe to PARA but lots and lots of mushrooms.

Hannah

Kitzmann

Moss Artist

Photo of Hannah Kitzmann, Moss Artist
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.

Bethany

Hadden

Moss Artist

Photo of Hannah Kitzmann, Moss Artist
Tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up in Myrtle Beach, SC where I met my husband. We have lived in Charlotte on and off for 12 years (military life) and have a daughter (8). I studied Studio Art and Graphic Design and have mainly worked in the publication, art gallery and screen printing industry. Now I enjoy making funky mixed media art on wood and upcycling scraps or old furniture.

What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?

My listening taste definitely depends on what I’m doing. I enjoy indie punk, moody and electronic tunes. 

What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?

I’m used to always working by myself as a solo artist so being surrounded by a group of creatives is so energizing. Plus I look forward to coming into work, turning on that podcast and getting into the mossing zone.

What is your favorite project you've worked on?

I would have to say Girl Tribe! That project I got to be a part of from create to install which I loved.

Corinne

Spina

Graphic Design + Moss Artist

Photo of Hannah Kitzmann, Moss Artist
Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born and raised in northern New Jersey & graduated from Savannah College of Art and Design in 2021 with a BFA in illustration and minor in Surface Design. I really enjoy making patterns and hope to get into home textiles someday! I also have a big fluffy cat named Dill.

What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?

I don’t really know how to summarize what I listen to… I think it’s mostly like a mix of alternative/indie/bedroom pop, but I like listening to the Zelda Wind Waker & Ocarina of Time soundtracks while I work

What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?

It’s always a comfortable environment. You can hangout and talk to each other while you work or just chill with headphones in and zone out. I also like that I switch between mossing in the warehouse and graphic design in the office, I never get bored!

What is your favorite project you've worked on?

So far, I’ve really enjoyed working on the shop items such as the Hamsas!

Tristian

Williams

Moss Artist

Photo of Hannah Kitzmann, Moss Artist
Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a nature-loving dog mom whose favorite hobby is learning. As an artist, I’m currently inspired by nature, texture, geometry, fluidity, emotions (especially joy), and flow.

What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?

My recent go-to music has been Smino’s new album, it changes though. My default playlist is my liked songs on shuffle when I don’t know what genre mood I’m in. Spotify says I listened to 44 new genres last year.

What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?

My favorite things about working at TSW are working with nature, and the different ways we create. I love that it’s an easy-going, collaborative environment filled with lots of talent and knowledge.

What is your favorite project you've worked on?

My favorite project is a tie between Clancy & Theys and Girl Tribe. Two cool challenges for different reasons.

Rileigh

Bryant

Moss Artist

Photo of Hannah Kitzmann, 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.

Susannah

Bryant

Moss Artist

Photo of Susannah Bryant, Moss Manager
Tell us a little about yourself.

I grew up in Clinton, SC and went to Wofford College for undergrad. After a bunch of seasonal jobs, I am currently back in school and working on my Masters in Teaching in Art Education. Working at The Savage Way has been a great job to have while working on a degree! I have a sweet dog named Saluda who I love to go hiking with and I love painting and making smoke art.

What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?

Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of RKS, Dawes, and Brett Dennen.

What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?

I love working with a bunch of strong, awesome women and getting to be creative at work!

What is your favorite project you've worked on?

I really enjoyed getting to install at Crowntown Cannibis in NoDa and getting to moss directly on their walls. I also really liked mossing Goldie!

Torrie Savage

Paula Bartlett

Owners

Photo of Susannah Bryant, Moss Manager
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.

 
Paula:  I grew up in Ohio and I graduated from Ohio University (go Bobcats!). My background is in event management, and hospitality. I knew that I wanted to be doing meaningful work and it was kismet when I met Torrie over a decade ago. We have grown TSW from a seed of an idea and now we employ an amazing team and have work across the United States. On the daily, I am the quiet leader behind-the-scenes who will always seek the good in any situation. My focus is on account management, business organization, copywriting and creative consultation.
How did you two meet?
Paula: It’s a classic tale… we met in a bar. Actually I met my husband and my business partner on the same day! (That is a story for another day though). Torrie had just left her corporate job and was starting her own business and I was intrigued. We worked together on a few things and then within a year, I came on as a partner in The Savage Way.
 
Torrie: The Universe was working that day. Our paths crossed and we have been working side by side since! Paula is truly the yin to my yang and we bring out each other’s strengths. Having a business partner who will push me out of my comfort zone is so beneficial. The support and love we have for each other reaches far beyond our business.
What is the driving force behind TSW?
We are lucky enough that we get to make dope art and do something different for a living. With both Clean Graffiti and Moss Art, we are blazing our own path – and making a new way to work and run a business at the same time. We empower our artists to create and move through this life with joy. Whether they are making a TSW piece or working on something of their own, we are so proud to offer a safe, creative haven for them.
 
 
Some of our company mottos include:
– Do Something Different
– Seek the Good
– Trust your Gut
– R.I.C.H. (realizing I create happiness)