Anita O’Donnell spends her days in a quaint, light-filled space surrounded by uniquely refurbished furniture and a paint-splattered floor.
O’Donnell, owner of The Painter’s Roost which was recently established on Huffman Mill Road, offers people of any age or skill level the opportunity to improve one’s painting abilities.
Upon walking into the store, one is overcome by the homeyness that characterizes the painting studio — the bright color palette of the interior and the studio’s eclectic rooster decor immediately transports customers to an old country farmhouse.
For $25-$45 per person, each customer is supplied with necessary materials such as brushes, a canvas, an easel and paint to complete their own masterpiece. Customers are also encouraged to bring their own beverages, which can include alcohol for those aged 21 and older.
Paint-your-own and create-your-own-art studios have become extremely popular in the last few years and have been popping up across the country. Pinot’s Palette, another art studio where customers can paint while having a drink, currently has 21 locations throughout the United States.
“To those who may be nervous about applying paint to canvas, you don’t have to have any artistic talent whatsoever,” O’Donnell said. “We are all painting the same thing, but you can add your own personal touches to the painting.”
During the classes offered, such as “City Skyline” and “Wall Flower,” teachers show participants how to blend colors and apply brush strokes.
The Painter’s Roost is located in the former Verizon Wireless store next to Panera Bread and currently has two classrooms, which, according to O’Donnell, allow two different classes to run at the same time.
“Every class is just amazing,” she said. “And every piece of art, regardless of what it started out as, is different.”
An Asheville native, O’Donnell was inspired to open The Painter’s Roost after she was laid off from her job at a construction company three years ago. Having always had a knack for crafts, she decided to expand her beloved hobby into a career.
The Painter’s Roost holds two-hour classes Tuesday through Sunday with morning and evening classes available on weekdays. All participants can take their work home at the end of the session.