Our Atlanta, GA - Edgewood Painting with a Twist Artists

Starr

Artist Bio – Starr Waites Starr is a multidisciplinary artist whose creative practice spans painting, design, fashion, music, and cultural storytelling. Raised on the Southside of Atlanta with deep family roots in Omaha, Nebraska, she carries a legacy shaped by artistry, resilience, and cultural brilliance. Her lineage includes her grandfather, jazz legend Luigi Waites, and a family connection to Malcolm X, grounding her work in a powerful tradition of creativity, community, and transformation. Her mother helped pioneer Atlanta’s early natural-hair movement, and her father brought athletic excellence to the family as a former Atlanta Falcons player — influences that shaped Starr’s sense of discipline, expression, and innovation. Her artistic journey began in music and performance, eventually expanding into visual art, studio work, and creative direction. Starr co-ran a multidisciplinary creative studio where she blended art, music, fashion, and community programming — an experience that sharpened her leadership, teaching style, and ability to build creative spaces where people feel inspired and supported. She also launched Goop Clothes, her original clothing line, which showcased her eye for color, texture, and conceptual design long before she stepped into the painting studio. A self-taught painter with strong formal training, Starr studied Interior Design and Architecture at Chattahoochee Technical College, building a foundation in spatial composition, color theory, and structural design. She expanded her creative and entrepreneurial skill set with Small Business Management and Entrepreneurship certifications from Atlanta Technical College, and earned a licensed Shoe Design certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York through Complex Magazine, adding fashion construction and conceptual design to her multidisciplinary toolkit. Her studies in Humanities and Psychology at Metropolitan College in Omaha deepen her understanding of culture, people, and emotional expression — all of which shape her artistic voice. Starr’s work moves fluidly between visual art, design, music, and cultural expression. Whether she’s sketching concepts, designing spaces, developing fashion pieces, or guiding others through their own creative breakthroughs, she brings clarity, warmth, and a vibrant sense of community to every environment she touches. At Painting With a Twist, Starr channels her diverse background into an uplifting, welcoming studio presence. She makes art feel accessible and joyful, blending technique with play and encouraging guests to explore their individuality. Her classes reflect her belief that creativity is a shared experience — one that connects people, honors legacy, and celebrates self-expression. Rooted in Atlanta’s creative pulse and guided by generations of makers, thinkers, and innovators, Starr continues to expand her craft while inspiring others to embrace the art within themselves.

Edith

Artist Bio – Edith Ayres Edith Tivzenda Ayres is a fine artist and instructor based in Atlanta, Georgia, with over 15 years of professional creative experience. Her work spans fine art painting, large-scale murals, and mixed media sculpture, often exploring the curious relationship between figurative and literal light and dark. When she’s not painting for hours by candlelight in her studio, Edith can be found cooking, gardening, or dominating the tennis court. For the past few years, she’s been having an absolute blast hosting paint and sip parties with Painting with a Twist—because, as she says, “it’s the best fun you can have in two hours in Atlanta!”

Jamaal

Jamaal Kearse Born in Atlanta, Georgia, the son of two decorated artists, Jamaal began his artistic career learning from some of the most talented artists, singers, and actors in the city. As an original member of the Youth Ensemble of Atlanta, he studied under visual artist Charles Bullock, and theater director Freddie Hendricks, learning techniques and skills that catapulted him into the vast world of art and design. While in high school at Tri-Cities, in East Point, Georgia, Jamaal was a premiere student in the visual arts magnet program, also pursuing an entertainment career as a member of the rap group Southern Kings, and later the rap duo; Pros N Cons. In 2000, Dirty Red Clay Clothing Company was created by Jamaal Kearse. DRC clothing is an art driven, custom design clothing company that focuses on styles from the past and cultures around the world. In 2003, he began his teaching career as an art instructor with the City Of Atlanta's Camp Best Friend summer program, and 3 years later, teaching art & design at the Emmaus House, located in Peoplestown, in the heart of the city. Jamaal Kearse is a very accomplished artist, being involved in mural projects, doing commissioned artwork such as; portraits, illustrations and logo designs. Transitioning from fine art, painting and design into barbering and tattooing, Jamaal has thrived as an independent artist. Humbled by the love and respect he has gained throughout his career, he now is focused on mastering the art of tattooing and is heavily involved in fashion and styling. Deeming himself a certified "Rock Star" "Art is expression, art is life and art imitates life. I am a rock star because art is my life and I live it". Now as a father of three children, he passes on the knowledge he's gained from his mother and father and the amazing artists that taught and inspired him. Now as an art instructor/party host at Painting With A Twist, in Atlanta, Ga. in the Edgewood Plaza, the art rockstar lifestyle continues as he passion for all things creative continues to show and he loves to get the vibe flowing and party while painting! @diirtyredclay1981

Kelly

Award winning international artist from Australia Kelly of KelAngelkrE8z expresses “I am super excited and grateful to begin some new chapters here in Atlanta, Georgia”. Joining the Canvas & Culture Collective Team at the Edgewood Atlanta Painting With A Twist Studio is one of her latest projects beginning mid October 2025. Painting, drawing, photography and various artistic mediums including saxophonist, music performance, dance, performing arts, costume design and more recently sculpture, have been part of my life for over twenty years now. Fusing closer consistently, with the concept that "art is life, is living” has created grace, contentment, resilience, persistence and great healing of self with the additional enjoyment to also give at the same time. Living in Detroit Michigan for over a decade further equipped Kel with more creative, educational and professional opportunities and she brings her artist experiences working at PWAT Detroit Studio to the PWAT Edgewood ATL Studio! “Living in Australia for the past 4.5 years reconnecting with family and country has been amazing! I was able to hold my 1st solo art exhibition and work with local youth and community creating sculptures for a six week national sculpture exhibition held in 2023 and 2025. Looking forward to continue growing my role here and collaborating with the team here at the Atlanta location!” Website coming soon.