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
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.
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.
Honey
Balfour
MOSS ARTIST
Tell us a little about yourself.
I heard about the Savage Way through my first job out of college doing event design. I was encouraged to pursue painting as a career, and Tori and Paula have allowed me to chase my dream whilst doing installs for Savage. Other than being a full time artist, I enjoy running, hosting parties, and spending time with my niece and nephews.
What is your go-to music (song/band/playlist)?
What is your favorite thing about working at TSW?
My coworkers! Everyone is unique in their talents and brings joy to my day.
What is your favorite project you've worked on?
Any project with lots of pole moss- it’s my favorite! Or our McDonalds piece – the purple was fun and so was installing it.
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.
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!