Get creative and uncorked at Painting with a Twist, Ferndale, an artful creative escape, where local women (and men!) can get crafty with a canvas – and bring their own wine!

Owner Michelle Lewis has just a few rules for those entering her studio: No paintbrushes in the wine cups, no drinking the paint water and, when in doubt, have another sip of wine. Lewis' Painting with a Twist in Ferndale, a franchise of Corks N Canvas, helps southeast Michigan residents find their artsy side – even if they swear they can't paint.

Local artists entertain and guide customers through the process of creating their own works of art, using a template painting as a reference. And yes: Visitors can bring bottles of wine to sip as they tap into their inner artiste!

How it works:  The studio offers both public classes, where the template painting is predetermined, and private parties, where the host selects his or her painting of choice.

Painting with a Twist has more than 1,000 paintings in its database. The collection is a melange of different styles and topics; some come from Painting with a Twist artists around the country, while others are famous artworks, such as Van Gough's "Starry Night." Still others are locally inspired; skylines of the Motor City or a Woodward Avenue street sign are among those created by Ferndale artists.

It's not paint-by-numbers – although pre-sketched canvases are sometimes prepared for the most difficult paintings, most customers start with blank canvases.

"People will say, 'Oh I don't paint. I don't do this,' but you just gotta be willing to have a good time, and we'll provide the rest," says Lewis.

Because the studio uses acrylic paint, which dries quickly, customers can take their masterpieces home after class is over.

Unwind and explore your creative side if you are the winning bidder of a two-hour class for you and a friend.