Painting With a Twist Review (Ferndale, Michigan)

Get ten ladies from a women's Bible study together in a room with paint brushes, Valentine's Day snacks, wine and beverages, mix them together and what do you get? Well, a stinkin' good time, that's what!

Melissa, our group's self appointed "entertainment coordinator", suggested that we have a fun group activity one week in lieu of our study. We had been studying "Be Right: Romans" and started delving into "Bad Girls of the Bible" and thought it might be nice to take a week's break to enjoy each other's company and fellowship. Luckily Painting With a Twist was suggested and even luckier for me... The nearest location is just a mile down the road from my house!  

I had always wondered exactly what was behind the idea and I was honestly scared for the place when it opened on West 9 Mile Road in Ferndale. I figured it would be gone in six months, but I was definitely wrong. The idea is simple: Get a group of people together, choose a painting to recreate, add snacks and "BYOB" wine and beverages, mix it all together, and voila! As evidenced by the photo at the top of the page, everyone has their own take on a painting.

Our group chose to do "Moonlit Cherry Blossoms" (or something to that effect), which was a good "beginner" painting. They look sort of complicated at first, but the way that our leader, Wendy, broke it down, the painting was actually a snap. Complete with bedazzled apron, Wendy was our homegrown "Bob Ross" and walked us through each step of the painting. I have painted for many years, so it was easier for me than for some. However, everyone people really owned their painting and made each "masterpiece" their own, from changing up the colors (the original was a pinky-purple) to changing the placement of the branches, etc. I was impressed at how well everyone did.

The wine was "BYOW," but you can bring just about anything you like. They provide some tiny snacks and silverware. I brought some dessert to contribute. Others brought wine, non-alcohol beverages, cookies, cheeses, cured sausage, etc. I wouldn't eat a full-on meal, but I'm sure you could probably pull off a pot luck!  The rule was if you took yourself too seriously, you're supposed to take another sip of wine and reevaluate. (Wink.) Nobody was getting "drunk," but a nip and sip made the evening fun.

Overall I really have to say that the Ferndale Painting With a Twist has their stuff together! I would absolutely book a private party (minimum 10, prepaid individually or as a group online or in person) or take a couple friends to an open paint session. For Michigan folks, there are two locations, Ferndale and Farmington. Across the country there are over 55 locations in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. If you have a Painting With a Twist in your area, I highly suggest it... Even if you don't have an "artistic bone in your body," you can still make a painting you'd be happy to hang in your house.

Photos by Carrie except top, courtesy of Painting With a Twist Ferndale.