Tennessee native, Momma of 3, foodie, and hobby artist, Amber has been finding ways to recreate the beauty of the world around her since before she could remember. Her passion for art led her to receive her art degree from Southern Virginia University, and pursue paths of teaching, marketing, and creating works of art. Amber's great love for color shows through her bubbly and charming artwork, as well as her and her children's names! Dabbling in all mediums, and always down for crafts, Amber believes there is always something new to be discovered and loves learning just as much as she loves teaching. Amber will be sure to put you at ease in front of the easel, make sure you have an unforgettably fun experience painting, and always leave having learned something new!

Amy Brauer is a Chattanooga native who loves making art, cooking, and throwing parties. An art teacher by day, she enjoys teaching at PWAT for fun, which is pretty much exactly like her day job, except with wine instead of grades. (So, in fact, not really like her day job at all. Close enough.) When she’s not teaching art somewhere, she’s probably hanging out in the backyard with her fella Corban and their kiddo, Briony.

David Contreras is the name! Born is Dallas, TX raises in Dalton, Ga. He grew up with four other siblings who are also artistic in so many ways. Apart from Painting David enjoys cooking, Choreographing Quinceañeras, party planning, DIY Fanatic, did we mention he enjoys cooking!? Painting sparked his interest when he first grabbed a painting brush and created magic. “I never knew i could paint until i picked up that brush. I encourage you to come and creat magic with me, make new memories. You don’t have to be a pro just open minded” he says. David is a Customer Service Rep during the day, paint slayer during the night. Fall is his absolute favorite season because of the color change in the trees, the stand still atmosphere and cool temperature. If you want a new adventure or cannot decide on what to do for the next group event, come hang out at Painting With A Twist and have a great time. (Wink)

Picasso once said, "Every child is born an artist. The problem is how to remain one once we grow up." As a teacher of the gifted, this was a simple mantra of inspiration for Donnie’s students and for him as their teacher. Last year he retired from teaching but still relishes in inspiring others to nurture their creative spirit while “painting with a twist!” Born in West Palm Beach, he later grew up among the beautiful slopes of Western North Carolina. He never lost his connection with the ocean and feels equally in tune with the forests and streams of the Blue Ridge Mountains. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in general studio with an emphasis in drawing and sculpture from Berea College then later returned to school for a Master of Arts degree in education from Tusculum College. Retirement begins a new chapter in life that includes time to create art, laugh and sing, play and listen to music, tend garden, and spend time with his family. Paint with a Twist is a perfect fit for the young at heart, and he is so happy to share the love of creating art.

Jim is new to Chattanooga and is enjoying all of the beauty and creativity of Scenic City. Having spent the first part of his life as a teacher Jim is currently working in construction as a Measure Tech and cabinet installer. Jim has always enjoyed drawing and illustration, “It all started with comic books for me, “ Jim says, “Creating new heroes, new worlds, allowing my imagination to let me take something I see in my mind, put it on paper, and share it with others.” Jim is also a writer. He majored in Communications and Writing. He worked for several years as a Journalist and Editor for a small town newspaper. Jim took a lot of the pictures and did some cartooning and graphic design work for the small town paper. On his bucket list is completing one or two of the many children’s illustrated books he has started. Spending more time painting is also on the list. His passion for teaching came from helping children and adults attempt “something they didn’t think they could do” and step by step overcome their fears and “do it”. Always fearful and anxious about mathematics Jim learned to enjoy it as he spent three years teaching elementary math to 5th graders. “Somehow it wasn’t so scary anymore,” said Jim, “As I helped a group of students enjoy learning about decimals, fractions, and percentages. He hopes to bring this joy of discovery to painting. Teaching is my passion, I love being in front of a group, and helping them try something new or learn something new. Of course, I enjoy having a good time. In cooking everything may be better with butter, but in life I find that most things are improved upon with laughter.” Jim hopes to bring this love of learning and laughter to our studio and join the party at Painting with a Twist.

Julia is a local artist who currently attends University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she is studying as a Batchelor of Fine Arts major in graphic design. She was born and raised in Nashville Tennessee, but wanted to pursue her art here in Chattanooga! Julia is a creative, fun, outgoing artist who loves to help teach people about her passion for art. Her other hobbies outside of painting include photography, sewing, and baking. Her passion for art began as soon as she could hold a crayon in her hand and she hasn’t stopped creating since! When she is not loving on her pups Penny and Charlie, she is drawing or painting. She loves how therapeutic, hands on, and open-ended painting can be and she often paints in her free time. She is constantly finding new ways to paint, whether that’s by finger painting or incorporating new mediums such as collage or spray paint. Julia is definitely a people person and loves to help others. She finds it very rewarding to teach people about her passion, helping them find a love and interest for art as well!

Kati is a born and raised Chattanoogan, returning to her roots after 11 years living in Nashville, TN, where she earned a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Studio Art from Belmont University and spent her days in a local studio, teaching art to adults & kids of all ages. She is an artist, wife, cat mom, teacher, world traveler, singer, half marathoner, Disney nerd, and all around the most fun & extroverted creative individual you may ever meet. She is a passionate people person, and an experienced art teacher, through and through - she leads with excitement and confidence, and can help you turn any mistake into a happy accident!

Katie Ott is a Chattanooga native who is pursuing an associates degree in art at Chattanooga State Community College. Her love of art started at a very young age; she has wanted to be an artist literally all of her life. In her free time she enjoys going to the gym, playing with her 3 dogs, being outdoors, drawing, and painting.

Katie was born in Orlando, Florida and moved to Chattanooga when she was 9 years old. Her passion for creating art began in elementary school, drawing characters in her free time. She started painting in early high school, and is now a senior working towards a degree in Arts Education at UTC. One of Katie’s favorite things to do is teaching her kids in childcare, where she has worked since high school, new crafty projects.

Mary Dyer is a collegiate online art history instructor, and been a practicing artist since she was a kid! She loves drawing, painting, printmaking, and darkroom photography. Mary received her BFA in Fine Art 2007 and her MA in Art History in 2013. She has experience teaching visual arts and art history to kids and adults of all ages. Mary’s areas of study include Italian Renaissance, Baroque, and Contemporary art. In her spare time, Mary loves to travel, cook, read, fish with her husband, and garden. She is an animal-lover with 3 fur babies of her own. She is a fun, passionate instructor that loves to have a good time! Come and join her for an art experience that will have you coming back for more!

Born and raised in the Tennessee mountains, Tori’s passion for art started in elementary school arts and crafts. She loves painting and being involved with art projects. She attends two colleges, AVHA for her cosmetology license, and Chattanooga state for nursing. In her free time she enjoys spending time with her fiancé Cody, and their German Shepherd puppy, Hank. She also enjoys the outdoors, and being with her family. Tori is here to insure you have a great time here at painting with a twist and to give your blank canvas life!