Our Team
JIAN LU | FOUNDER, PROGRAM MANAGER
Academy of Fine Arts, Tsinghua University
Tokyo Bunka Women's University
Focus on Traditional Drawing and Painting in multiple materials, and Art Crafts
Jian Lu founded Art365 Academy in Atlanta in 2018. Her educational principles led to a rich curriculum and clear teaching method. At Art365, students learn art techniques while lessons also include subjects like math, literature, and geography so they can apply knowledge across different areas.
Jian’s teaching builds students’ confidence by connecting their feelings to art. She discovers each child’s talent, helps it grow, and shows them how to use what they learn. Many of her students have earned awards and been admitted to top universities.
“Believe that every child is born an artist and teach them using a mother’s love. This warms the heart of every child, allowing their little flame of creation to burn forever. “ -Jian Lu
MICHAELA LINDA SOTILLO | sTudio director & instructor
Art Institute of Atlanta
Focus on Traditional Drawing and Painting in multiple materials, and Art Crafts
Michaela Linda Sotillo was born in Berlin, Germany. Through her family’s extensive travels, she embraced a diversity of rich cultures and began expressing her views through art at an early age. After high school, she served as a Sergeant in the US Army before graduating with honors from the Art Institute of Atlanta. Shortly thereafter, she was employed and represented by Graphique Du Jour art publishing. Her paintings are displayed by prominent agencies, galleries, and corporations, including New York Life, Chase Manhattan Bank, American Airlines, and Emory University. An extremely prolific artist, Sotillo is constantly experimenting with inventive printing techniques; her remarkably varied styles indicate a unique duality in her work. Recently, she has returned to her love of art and the community through teaching.
SAIYA LIN | INSTRUCTOR
Savannah College of Art and Design
Focus on Digital Art, Traditional Drawing and Painting
Saiya Lin is a Taiwanese artist who calls Atlanta, Georgia home. His art is a testament to his love for storytelling, characterized by intricate illustrations and captivating character portrayals. Whether through digital mediums or traditional techniques, Saiya's work speaks volumes about his dedication to his craft. He has extensive experience in animation, having contributed to projects for Marvel, FX, and the Canada Council for the Arts. Alongside his artistic pursuits, Saiya finds joy in nurturing budding talent as a digital art instructor, sharing his expertise in Photoshop painting with eager learners. When he is not immersed in his creative work, Saiya finds solace in nature through hiking and playing melodies on his guitar.
GABRIELA O. FERNANDES | studio coordinator & lead instructor
Mackenzie Presbiterian University
Savannah College of Art and Design
Focus on Digital Art, 3D Modeling, Traditional Drawing, along with Art Crafts
Gabi O. Fernandes was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and has been drawing and painting since her childhood. She graduated as an architect, which enhanced her knowledge of perspective, space, and form. After working in architecture, she traveled to the United States as an animation Master’s student, where she further refined her skills and learned digital art, animation, and the principles of art direction. Her work has been honored by selection at several film festivals, including the International Animation Festival, NewFilmmakers NY, and the SUNY Niagara Film & Animation Festival. After graduating, she embraced her love of teaching art as a means to inspire upcoming artists, just as she was inspired as a child.
Jonah Gibson | INSTRUCTOR
Savannah College of Art and Design
Focus on Digital Art, Traditional Drawing and Painting
Jonah Gibson is a studio instructor who joined Art365 after finishing his illustration degree at SCAD. During his time at school, his work was already recognized by organizations such as the Milwaukee Bucks, Port City Review, and the SCAD Foundations Honors Show. Besides his work at Art365, he is a freelance background artist for various animation studios; his previous clients include Marvel and Floyd County Productions. He identifies as a visual development artist, background designer, character designer, and illustrator. As an avid traveler, he finds that his adventures and "side plots" bring life to his art. Indie rock music, weird sculptures, and interesting fish and plants are some of his primary sources of inspiration these days.
Brian Johnson | INSTRUCTOR
Savannah College of Art and Design
Focus on Digital Art, 3D Modeling
Brian Johnson is one of the instructors specializing in modeling at Art365. His passion for 3D art began at a young age through his love of fantasy video games—particularly Blizzard titles—and tabletop miniatures. He was captivated by how characters, creatures, and entire worlds were designed and brought to life. After developing these skills, he discovered that one of the most rewarding parts of his journey was sharing that passion through teaching and helping others bring their own ideas to life through 3D art. He has worked with studios such as Swaybox and has contributed to projects including animation work featured in an NFL Super Bowl halftime commercial (2022), along with various freelance and personal creative projects.
SHISHUANG TU | Graphic artist
Sichuan Fine Arts Institute
Savannah College of Art and Design
Focus on Digital Art, Traditional Drawing and Painting
Shishuang Tu currently serves as a graphic artist and instructor for Art365. Beyond her work there, she is a concept artist inspired by fantasy narratives, nature, and emotion. The projects she worked for are from animation/game studios such as Netflix, Disney, Paramount, Adult Swim, etc. She completed her undergraduate degree in China, majoring in Exhibition Design, before pursuing her passion for illustration as a graduate student at SCAD. Her portfolio and professional experience are available on LinkedIn under the name 'Sierra Shishuang Tu.' Her illustration work has been recognized by American Illustration, the Society of Illustrators, Communication Arts, Creative Quarterly, and the World Gallery of Cartoons.