Samantha Testa credits a coffee shop with launching her art career. After the resoundingly positive reception she received during a 2016 art show at the Java Shack in Clarendon, the former Fairfax County educator officially established her creative business, Painted Palettes, offering calligraphy services and designing custom invitations, ketubahs, birth announcements, stationery, murals and personalized gifts. She also teaches private hand-lettering classes and painting workshops. Many of her illustrations are love letters to the D.C. area: Metro-themed Valentine’s Day cards, cherry-blossom-framed vistas of monuments, and portraits of local homes. Her work has has been featured during special events at West Elm and Lou & Grey in Tysons Corner Center, and can be found online through her Etsy shop. paintedpalettes.com
