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.

A world traveler by heart that continuously seeks a passion for Art and Yoga. I graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Johnson State College located in the beautiful, snowy mountains of Vermont, and received my Yoga Teacher Training certification here in Chattanooga. Over my lifetime, I have traveled to almost every state in the U.S. and over seas. Nature is my calling, any activity that involves being active and outdoors brings a lot of tranquility to my life. Nature really inspires a lot of the art I create in my spare time. I mostly find myself immersed in tranquil and zen like drawings. Painting was always a way to allow my busy head to indulge in a creative tangent.

Corban Brauer grew up in Ireland, but smitten by the charms of a girl from Tennessee, he decided he’d better settle down here if he wanted to marry up with her (he was right, and now, they’re both PWAT instructors and have a Little Twist of their own). An avid landscape painter, Corban also works as an art teacher. He enjoys long walks on the beach, eighties hair metal, and curling his fancy moustache. This bio was definitely not written by his wife.

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.

Beth Wright grew up in Cleveland, TN and attended the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, graduating in May 2011 with a BFA in painting and drawing. Her oil painting "Inscape" hangs in the University Center as part of UTC's permanent collection. She began working at our studio as an assistant in September 2017. Beth began drawing as soon as she could hold a crayon and never stopped. She has worked as a muralist, painted on commission, and continues to draw and paint for her own pleasure and amusement. She works with acrylic, oil, watercolor, graphite, and colored pencil in a variety of styles. Beth has lived in Chickamauga, GA since April 2017 with her boyfriend David and their cat Hops. She enjoys reading about everything, writing about nothing, time spent outdoors, thrift shops, and anything involving glitter.

Holly is originally from Menomonee Falls,Wisconsin. She has been in Georgia for the past 15 years and has recently moved to Chattanooga. Holly has always loved art. She has worked as a hairstylist for the past 28 years and has also worked in a studio like Painting with a Twist. Holly enjoys being an Art instructor and loves teaching others that they can be creative and successful too! Holly has a 15 year old daughter and is recently engaged. She has two dogs, a Boston Terrier and a Frenchton. She loves baking and creating all types of art.

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.

Mercedes Llanos is a Visual Artist; painter, muralist, and teacher born in Mar del Plata, Argentina. She grew up in the United States, where she attended UTC and developed herself as an artist. She graduated in 2015 and was immediately chosen to paint the large Mural on MLK street along with five other artists. This was an immense project which was carried out in six months. After the project she returned to her home country and explored Argentina and Chile. She lived traveling the entire year of 2016, doing various murals and paintings, camping and volunteering at different places and hostels. This was an incredible experience she was able to learn new cultures, rediscover herself and work in many different fields and environments while meeting people from all over the world. She has returned to the United States to continue pursuing and developing her career in the arts and teaching. She is a very passionate and persuasive painter with an everlasting interest in art and its history

Stevie Gould is from Nashville, Tennessee and has been in Chattanooga since 2013. She first knew she wanted to be an artist when she was 4-years-old and her parents got her paint brushes as a present. She later went on to attend The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga to receive her bachelor of the arts degree and has a teaching background. Stevie started working with Painting with a Twist as a painting instructor in September of 2017. Her favorite thing about being an instructor is seeing how each individual painting has different outcomes, and how the paintings come together in the end to make a beautiful piece of art. Stevie is in her early 20’s and has a little schnauzer named Stella. When she isn’t painting, she loves to spend her time gardening and adding to her plant collection. She considers herself a botanical artist and lover of nature.