Austin Moms Blog is a team of 19 moms and we have 35 children between us that range in age from “in the womb” to 14 years old.

The contributing team is a close knit group of friends, but rarely, do we ALL have the chance to be at the same location, on the same day, at the same time. In fact, I don’t think it’s ever happened. There are always 1 or 2 of us missing.

But last week, 11 of us had the chance for a Contributor Night Out. We wanted to do something different for this get together where we could really do some bonding and we chose Painting With a Twist in Lakeway. We had a BLAST…seriously, one of the best nights. Keep on reading for pics from the night and our experience with the place that made us all artists!

You can view their full calendar, HERE to see all of the awesome paintings they have planned! 

Painting-With-a-Twist

austin-moms-blog-painting-with-a-twist-lakeway

Never having done a DIY paint night, I honestly didn’t have high hopes. After arriving at PWAT Lakeway, my nerves were instantly put to ease with our amazing instructor, Jenn. She was funny, engaging, helpful, and made sure that we all went home with masterpieces. What I love most about PWAT, is that they made sure this was truly a night out for us. We got to mingle, laugh, play games, eat, drink, and above all else, bond! I can’t wait to go back to create more paintings for our home. What a FUN night! ~Allison Mack

austin-moms-blog-allison-mack

I absolutely loved our night at Painting With A Twist! Jen was our instructor and she was absolutely wonderful! She was super helpful and fun. She encouraged the booze drinking to help us calm our nerves and help our paintings to look better in our eyes….we’re obviously not professional artists!  It was nice to be able to bring in our own food and drinks to make it a laid back atmosphere. ~Jesse Coulter

austin-moms-blog-jesse-coulter

I walked into Painting with a Twist excited for more than just the free booze and pizza–it was also my first time meeting most of the other contributors! As soon as I walked in, our lovely instructor, Jen, greeted me warmly and led me to the group. If you’ve ever taken the time to look over the Meet Our Contributors page, you could understand why I may have been a little intimidated. Each woman was as stylish and smart as I expected. I kind of just stood there for the first few minutes, feeling like an awkward kid who had just crashed her cooler older sister’s girls’ night. But it wasn’t long before inappropriate jokes and a shared OCD diagnosis warmed my heart and made me feel right at home. You can blame it on the alcohol, but I honestly think that there’s something about creating art with other people that fuses the respect and adoration you have for each other. It’s a chance to have a front row seat to someone’s brain, watching them fall in and out of love with their progress. In the end, we all agreed that Austin would forever have our hearts, and we gave ourselves the artistic freedom to add a pretty red heart over our city. With Christmas coming, I knew I had to gift it to someone who would love it as much as I did. Hopefully she won’t be reading this, but I’ll be giving it to my mom. (If you are reading this, surprise!) My mother is an accountant in Afghanistan and rarely comes home but a few times a year. Although she’s from Galveston Island, she always wanted to live in Austin, and she often says she feels more at home here now that Dre and I have made it our home. Never mind that she’s an 80’s mom who thinks every single thing their child does is gold, I have no doubt that she’s going to be especially overjoyed when she receives this very well done painting. ~Elisa Botello

Professionally photographed by Elisa Botello
Professionally photographed by Elisa Botello

I’ve always been one of those people who look at canvas paintings and think…I could do that.  And that’s just what we did the other night at Painting With a Twist!  The whole process is really fail-proof and I so enjoyed putting some of my own creativity in it as well.  Jenn at PWAT is a total pro.  She was the perfect combination of assistance and entertainment!  I would definitely do it again…so much fun to be had with girlfriends!  ~Kristen Jansen

Austin Moms Blog Kristen Jansen

What a fun night! Even with my painting apron pocket full of tissues and a throat that was scratchy and raw, I thoroughly enjoyed a night out with my fellow contributors at Painting with a Twist Lakeway. Laughs, wine and stress reducing (for some) painting was exactly want this sick momma needed! Big thanks to our awesome instructor, Jenn, who kept us in stitches and our contributors that didn’t mind that I brought my sickness with me! ~Marisa Williams

Austin Moms Blog Marisa Williams

This was the first time I have been to Painting with a Twist.  Jen, the instructor, was funny, easy to talk to and a great teacher. She taught us some new techniques that I will use next time I feel crafty. I was able to meet some fabulous ladies without feeling awkward in a new group. I think everyone working on a task while casually chatting made it easier for me to get to know people.  Thanks Allison for setting this up. Great place, great concept. ~Malu Talan

PWAT

I had such a fun time with my fellow contributors at Painting with a Twist.  I was nervous at first, unsure of my ability to follow directions but my end result actually looks great!  I am really proud of the art I made.  I was able to relax and enjoy some great company.  We shared some fun times and supported each other as we painted.  The experience was a great time of learning, growing as a team, and sharing in some fun memories. ~Ali Broom

ali-broom

I had SUCH a great time at PWAT!  I’ve wanted to do it for a really long time – in fact, my bestie gave me a gift certificate for my birthday, I just hadn’t had a chance to use it.  I was stoked when Allison told us about it.  It was so much fun you guys!  Drinks and eats with friends, fun music, taking silly pictures, and somehow, through all of that, coming out with some awesome paintings!  Honestly, I thought I would hang mine on my covered patio outside – but I love it so much, it may end up getting a spot in the actual house.  And that is a big deal…it is my first, and only, home decor item that is Texas specific!  For this girl, that’s a big deal!  I did paint a tiny heart in my hometown of Tulsa, Oklahoma, (which is another awesome thing about PWAT – you can customize to your own likes!), but in the end, I couldn’t be more thrilled with my Texas Love painting, and feel pretty good about the fact that my AMB team helped me cross that line! ~Elisabeth Hunter

elisabeth-hunter-austin-moms-blog

I loved doing this so much! I was actually apprehensive – seeing as I can’t drink at a place that encourages drinking, but I think I enjoyed it more than some that did drink! I will definitely be doing this again – it’s not something that REQUIRES drinking to have fun! ~Erin Ruoff

Painting With a Twist

I’ve been to BYOB painting places before, but it was nothing like Painting with aTwist in Lakeway! The aprons and photo props were such a fun way to break the ice and get the night started and the instructor was fun and full of energy. I never felt like I couldn’t talk because I had to listen and I also never felt like I was falling behind and missing crucial steps. The paintings to choose from have a great local vibe and I already have a list of paintings I hope to do in the future. I’ve always been confident in my drinking skills, but now I’m confident in my painting skills, too! ~Chelsea Vail

Willie Nelson at PWAT

I absolutely loved my experience with Painting with a Twist! Not only did I come home with an amazing painting that I did myself — I got to enjoy chatting with all the women who make up this blog!  I loved how each of our paintings reflected our own personal style!  Our instructor was fun and made the entire time very entertaining! ~Katie Eaton

katie-eaton-austin-moms-blog

 

Have you ever been to Painting With a Twist? Did you love it as much as we did? 

1 COMMENT

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here