Our Knoxville, TN - Farragut Painting with a Twist Artists

Rachel

Hello and welcome! I'm Rachel, a lifelong painter, lover of all things art and your guide to unleashing creativity! I started my own artistic journey as a young child, painting on anything I could get my hands on. That passion led me to many places in my life, including The University of Tennessee, where I immersed myself in the world of graphic design, merging traditional artistry with the digital world. With a new found love of digital design, alongside my amazing husband David, I co-founded our professional design company. I have made digital art my career, while never letting go of my life’s passion: painting. I have been an Artist with Painting with a Twist since 2016. Here, I've had the joy of guiding budding artists and helping them express and celebrate their creativity and individuality through paint and canvas! And what a ride it has been! Come join us and let’s have some fun!

Sam - Studio Manager

Hey beautiful people, Sam here! If you know me, you know I’m always excited to make things with our amazing customers. I have been in the Paint and Sip industry since 2015 where I started assisting classes in West Palm Beach, FL. A few months in I was tricked into getting on stage to teach a kids camp painting and haven’t looked back since. I adore everything about this line of work, from the creativity, the personalities, and the room for me to be my quirky self. I’m still pretty new to the East TN area. My family uprooted from Florida in July 2023 and have embraced the laid back, kind natured atmosphere this state has to offer. With 3 small kids, I find this season of life difficult to do anything creative for myself. Painting with a Twist Farragut has not only given me time and means to stay connected to that part of my life, but also the room to expand on to new media to share with the community. This year I picked up fiber arts, which I never thought I would get the chance to explore, and now I get to share my knowledge with those just as curious as I was. There are 3 things I promise for all of my classes. 1. I’m gonna be weird. But a good weird, the kind of weird you act like around your best friend when no one is looking. 2. We’re going to learn some new stuff and 3. We’re going to have a blast doing it! Let’s make Fun Art, not Fine Art!

Sonia

Sonia Summers is a professional artist from Knoxville, and has been teaching at PWAT Farragut since 2019. She graduated in 2008 from the University of Tennessee with a Bachelor's degree in College Scholars, focusing on Illustration and Writing. During her time at the University of Tennessee, Sonia cartooned regularly for “The Daily Beacon.” From 2011-2019, Sonia resided in Birmingham, Alabama. While in Birmingham, Sonia was commissioned to participate in Vulcan Park and Museum’s ongoing public art project called “Vulcans on Parade." Sonia’s painted Vulcan statues stand on display in two downtown Birmingham businesses. Sonia has work in the permanent collection of The Joy Gallery in Homewood, Alabama and rotating art at the Blue Phrog Gallery in Montevallo, Alabama. Since 2023 Sonia has taught Fine Arts (Studio Art, Art History, and Drama) at Chesterton Academy, a new classical high school in Knoxville. Sonia has a deep appreciation for traditional Impressionism and Realism and loves painting both traditional landscapes and figurative portraiture. Sonia enjoys public art such as murals and sidewalk chalk festivals and competitions for their ability to make art accessible to everyone.  Sonia’s chalk art can be seen in sidewalk chalk/madonnari festivals, such as Chalktobertfest in Marietta, Georgia, the Oak Ridge Street Painting Festival, and the Dogwood Arts Chalk Walk. Her fine art can be seen through exhibitions with both the Arts and Culture Alliance and Dogwood Arts, and she currently has a mural featured by Dogwood Arts in Strong Alley in downtown Knoxville.  Her hobbies are rock climbing (bouldering), and hiking with her husband and kids.

Zeke

Originally from New Orleans/NY, Stage Artist Zeke will entertain you as he teaches a painting from our Gallery! Zeke is a New Orleans Center for Creative Arts graduate with a BA in art – N.O.C.C.A. Zeke has over 8 years of Paint & Sip stage experience. You will sometimes see Zeke working on commission work, at our Farragut studio. He does Oil Painting, Acrylic, and he is unbelievable in Mixed Media! Also working on his very own graphic novel. His specialties are Landscape Painting, Concept Artist, Graphic Design, Portraits, Comics, Stage Artist! He is also a musician & a “magician”!

Abby Lu

Abby Lu is a high school student and Painting with a Twist instructor who loves sharing her creativity with others. She brings enthusiasm, patience, and a fun, imaginative approach to every class she teaches. Abby Lu enjoys helping guests explore their creativity, express themselves, and feel proud of what they create! Book a kids birthday party with Abby Lu, and they will have the best time!

Sara, Floor Artist

Juliana - Event Coordinator, Manager

Hi everyone and welcome to our Farragut studio, where we make fun art! I'm here to make sure you you have an unforgettable, perfectly executed, and super easy to plan private event. Let's book and celebrate your birthday party, corporate team building event, bachelorette party, baby shower, kids birthday party, family reunions, and all other life events celebrations! With just one link, you will be able to access hundreds of painting options in our online gallery, make a deposit, and invite your guests to rsvp, or reserve their own seat. You can request your favorite artist to host your event. Do you have a special request, or wonder if it can happen at Painting with a Twist? Please don't hesitate to call, text, or email me. You can reach me at 865.675.2500, or knoxville@paintingwithatwist.com. Pic of Cathy Deano and I. Cathy is the founder of Painting with a Twist-our amazing brand, in the best industry, and my favorite place to be. Come check out our studio, and create with us!