Khadijah B.

Khadijah, aka Kali, is an artist from New York City who relocated to Pennsylvania in 2016. She has always dreamed of helping people discover their inner artist and having fun while doing so. At a very young age, she and her twin brother, whom she is older by 1 minute, discovered that they could both draw and that their gift would have to be utilized in some way in their lives. They both continued on throughout their education, immersed in the arts, hoping to become animators. During her time at CUNY College of Staten Island, Khadijah earned her Bachelors of Science in Studio Art and fell in love with painting, as she found it relaxing and enjoyable. Recently, Khadijah has become a children's book illustrator and is developing her digital art skills! Khadijah also holds a certificate in 2-D Animation from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. In her spare time she enjoys being with her boys, cooking, listening to music, and traveling to new places.

Artist Website

Deirdre B.

Deirdre is an artist who graduated from Rutgers University with a major in Art history and minor in English. Her career right out of college took her down a different path to supply chain and customer service, however, she never lost her creativity and love for drawing, painting and photography. Long meetings would go by faster with tiny portraits of her colleagues which led to commissioned portraits for her coworkers. Eventually, she painted several murals ranging from home to office to several large warehouse murals for a major soda brand! She continues to do commissioned pieces specializing in pet portraits, country landscapes and fluid art. She brings her love of painting and ability to connect with people to each event and looks forward to painting with you! When she’s not painting, Deirdre is caring for her large fur family of 9 horses, 5 cats and 2 dogs, doing anything equestrian-related or simply enjoying nature and the outdoors!

Kelsey N.

Kelsey graduated with her Associates in Fine Arts from Northampton Community College and her Bachelors in Fine Arts with an Art Education K-12 Certification from Long Island University. She became interested in art as a sophomore in high school when she was asked on her first day of visual arts to simply “take off your shoe and draw it” on the day she decided to wear her checkered vans. Although drawing with charcoal, pencils, and pastels are her mediums of choice; Kelsey quickly picked up on painting, ceramics, and other art forms during her time away at college. In her spare time, she enjoys knitting, listening to audio books, and eating large amounts of tacos. She is a fan of all visual and performing arts, and is excited to be part of Painting with a Twist, Bethlehem!

Omnaia "Nina" A.

Growing up in Egypt, Omnaia was expected to be a creative and an artistic student. Art is considered a graded part of the Egyptian curriculum required to pass. After moving to the United States at the age of 9, she eventually went on to study Neuroscience in pursuit of medical school. Living in NYC for over 7 years exposed Omnaia to many elements of the art culture and grew her fascination for art. This helped her express herself and grow more as an artist. Moving to Pennsylvania to continue her education at Moravian Colleg,e she found that her passion was overruling her heart. Taking her shot at her calling she began taking art as a serious path for her career. Omnaia started her own studio from home and began taking commissions and expanding herself artistically and visually. Two years later she’s on her way to becoming one of the recognized faces among NYC artists. Omnaia is known for her edgy, gritty yet luxury pieces. Using none traditional elements to capture light and illuminate her paintings from within. The more you look, the more you find within the details.

Peggy K.

Peggy has always loved art, so it was only natural for her to go to school for Art. Peggy received her Bachelors of Fine Arts from Arcadia University in 2003 and minored in Education, and studied abroad at the Glasgow School of Art in Scotland. Peggy told us that her "concentration was in ceramics only because you have to choose something, but honestly I really just enjoy making all kinds of art" In addition to working at PWAT, Peggy teaches the non-credit ceramic class at Northampton Community College, and children's art classes there as well. When Peggy is not teaching art, or paddle boarding, she is working at her full time job at a non-profit that provides mental health services. Peggy is excited to be at Painting with a Twist so that she can help everyone unlock their inner artist, and hopes to help others love art as much as she does!

Shannon K.

Throughout her life, Shannon has always held a love for art and its ability to bring peace to the lives that utilize it. She has always painted, persuading her friends and family to paint along with her! Creating different scenes and images brings out imagination, creativity, and enjoyment in individuals’ lives! Her favorite medium is paint, but she also enjoys embroidery and colored pencils. In addition to art, Shannon enjoys spending time playing the piano, taking nature walks, attending concerts, and hanging out with her loved ones. Shannon graduated from Mercyhurst University in Erie, PA with a B.A. in Art Therapy, which combines her love of art and interest in helping others. Throughout her time in college, she worked at the Cumming’s Art Gallery, allowing for her interest and appreciation in fine art to grow. In addition, Shannon has also participated in the Erie Community through community service at the Erie Art Museum. Shannon also worked with individuals dealing with the effects of stroke at Saint Vincent Hospital. Here, she found a love for paint nights and experienced the way art can uplift and benefit peoples’ lives. Since graduating, Shannon has created an Etsy shop, painting portraits on canvas and records, making use of her fine art background! Through these interests, Shannon found Painting with a Twist and is excited about the process and overall experience of the events held here!

Artist Website

Tracy S.

Tracy is a stay-at-home mom and a Girl Scout Leader. She’s from New York, and has been in the Lehigh Valley for over a decade. She attends Northampton Community College whenever her busy children’s schedule allows her to. Growing up, you’d find her reading, painting, or sketching characters in her notebook. Having young children has given her the opportunity to expand her creative side. She enjoys painting, arts and crafts, pottery, and sketching with them. On her free time, she enjoys to paints rock, color with her children, watch movies, and travel with her family. Tracy recovered her love of painting as a frequent customer at PWAT. What started as one of her favorite places to spend time with family and friends, is now a place she can share her love for PWAT and help you create fun memories!