Our Artists

Jessica Normington was born and raised in South Louisiana. She attended the University of Louisiana at Lafayette where she received her BFA in Printmaking in 2009. She also worked at the Painting With A Twist location in Lafayette while attending college. In 2014, she received her MFA in Printmaking at the University of Florida. She now lives in New Orleans and works as an artist painting Utility boxes for Community Visions Unlimited and teaching printmaking classes at the New Orleans Glassworks and Printmaking Studio

Michelle Davenport is a proud New Orleans native and draws much of her artistic inspiration from the color, vibrancy and rhythm of the city she loves. She can trace her artistic journey back to childhood drawing, painting and sewing with her mom and building and repairing things with her dad. Michelle has always been driven to learn and discover new skills. With the same enthusiasm that Michelle learns and grows as an artist, she loves to teach and share with others. While painting is her primary passion, she is also a skilled seamstress/designer and loves to make costumes, jewelry, accessories and furniture. Michelle is one of the artists featured by the Jefferson Parish Oyster Trail, her Oyster sculpture painting is on display at Perino’s Boiling pot in Marrero.

Rachel is originally from New Orleans, Louisiana and has lived in Algiers since she was born. Rachel first knew she wanted to work with art since fourth grade because her parents saw she had a talent for drawing. She was tested and put into the talented art program in school. She loves figure painting, portrait painting, and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts at LSU. She started working at our studio as an assistant on her birthday in May 2011. Her favorite thing about being an instructor is bringing a sense of joy, laughter, and creativity into people's lives. She shares her special tips on painting which she likes to call them her "magic tricks" with the customers to help them achieve the best outcome for their painting. Rachel also is our resident DJ getting you in the groove of things.

Chelcie was born and raised in the small town of Ama just outside of New Orleans. From a very young age, she picked up art and never stopped. She describes it was a way of life as opposed to a career or hobby. Aside from painting she has her own photography business, works as an actress in a popular haunted house, and is actively involved in New Orleans’ theatre and film community. She also volunteers her time whenever possible for a number of different causes. She graduated from the University of Louisiana, at Lafayette with her Bachelor of Fine Art in the Performing Arts. Aside from art, she travels every chance she gets and spends time with her family and friends. She lives with her boyfriend of seven years and they have a large growing family of pets that include her dog, cat, rabbit, turtle, hamster, and any foster babies they take in at the time. Her love of art and nature extend deep and she hopes to keep working and improving her crafts. Her extended hopes are that she one day gets to see every country around the world with her art. She loves the PWAT family and hopes to be a part of it for a very long time to come so that she can keep on painting and partying with all of you!

Kallie is one of our artists, as well as our Studio Manager! She was born and raised in West Monroe, LA in a very creative household. Art and Music were main passions of her whole family. Building things with her father, arts and crafts with her mother, singing with her sister. She started her love of creating things very young and those passions abundantly grew. She moved to New Orleans after getting her degree in the arts, concentrating in vocal music performance, from Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, LA. So not only is she a talented artist, she is also a classically trained singer! She is fascinated and moved by the unknown and mysterious, aiming most of her work toward outer space and abstract concepts and emotions. She is always up for learning new skills and techniques, and wishes to continue to grow as an artist. She hopes that her work will make people think and feel very deeply, and will bring about positive change for anyone who sees it. When she isn't painting, you can find Kallie making jewelry, cooking a new recipe, singing her favorite songs way too loudly, or lounging about her house with her boyfriend, cat, and numerous aquatic animals.

Ariel Troxclair attended NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) for high school and studied at a summer conservatory at Memphis College of Art and Design. In May, she will be graduating with an Associate Degree in Fine Art/LA Transfer Degree from Nunez Community College where she currently serves as Student Government President. She will continue her education at Southeastern Louisiana University in the fall to acquire a Bachelor of the Arts in painting. Ariel has worked for Scout Island Scream Park as a make-up artist, for Thibodeaux Dance Center as a hip-hop teacher, and has painted a CVU Nola Signal Box in Chalmette. She is a freelance and commission artist, face painter, and muralist. Ariel loves Star Wars, Disney, Hamilton, theatre, ceramics, and cats. She is eager to share her love for painting with all of you as we create fun art together.

Brinley Ribando, attended NOCCA (New Orleans Center for Creative Arts) and now attending Loyola as a Studio Art major. I love the city New Orleans and intend to stay here and make art for as long as possible! I look forward to making art everyday, and to share that with people is amazing! I love to paint with bright colors, crazy patterns and fantastical retro imagery. Besides painting I love photography, ceramics, and printmaking.

Hilary Dugas is an avid printmaker and graphic designer that specializes in screen printing; who also has a knack for print design and hand lettering. She graduated from Nicholls State University with a BA in printmaking. While attending she also studied graphic design and English. Her prints have been exhibited in the Ameen Art Gallery located in Thibodaux, La. She is currently pursuing an MFA in printmaking and lives in New Orleans. Where she works as a painting teacher and assistant as well as on a photo and signage production team.

Holly was born and raised in St. Bernard Parish which is located next door to New Orleans, Louisiana. She Graduated from Nicholls State University, Thibodeaux, Louisiana, College of Arts and Sciences, in 2013 with a Bachelor of Fine Art’s Degree. Holly currently has five years experience working with “Painting With A Twist”; four of which were in Houma, Louisiana while attending college. Holly has experience working in Walt Disney World which has shaped her love to be a potter. She enjoys all aspects of creating a piece of art with her hands. The ability to transform clay into an object is fascinating, and hand building with clay gives her absolute freedom to create. This freedom allows Holly to incorporate her life experiences into a work of art.