had the pleasure of commissioning a custom dog painting from Art by Jolita, and the experience was…read moreexceptional from start to finish. Quality and Detail The painting beautifully captured my dog's likeness, showcasing Jolita's remarkable attention to detail. The texture and depth of the artwork brought my pet's personality to life in a way that photographs couldn't. Process and Communication Throughout the process, Jolita maintained clear and timely communication. She was receptive to my input and ensured that the final piece met my expectations. The turnaround time was reasonable, and the painting arrived well-packaged and in perfect condition. Overall Experience I wholeheartedly recommend Art by Jolita for anyone seeking a personalized and high-quality pet portrait. The painting serves as a cherished memento of my beloved dog, and I look forward to commissioning more artwork in the future.

After reading about Agent Gallery on A Continuous Lean last year…read more(http://www.acontinuouslean.com/2010/01/21/wants-desires-agent-gallery-chicago/), I added it to my list for the next time I was in Chicago. The gallery has a lot of unique, vintage artifacts that are highly curated and carry a price tag that reflects that. Most items are mid-century medical charts or scientific instruments, with the occasional Jesus beard made with real human hair or your requisite 1880's Masonic ritual set thrown in for good measure. One weird thing about the gallery (aside from the circa 1910 collection of 100 skin disorders in stereoscopic 3D) is that you won't find a price tag on anything. The owner recommended we go online to view the gallery's full collection, and there we found prices helpfully displayed next to each item. If you are looking for a vintage print of a rabbit's anatomy or a complete set of 1910 steel tooth forms, I recommend scoping them out on the website before you head in to the store.

The Oak Park Fine Arts show is sponsored by the American Society of Artists. The show is always…read moreheld in August. This year, it is August 16 and 17 (Sunday, 9 am to 5 pm). We have been to this art show several times over the years. I love this art show for many reasons. First, the Artists are very creative and down-to-earth and excited to discuss their art pieces. I always enjoy hearing the story behind HOW an Artist got the inspiration to create a piece of art. I always ask the Artist questions and they are always happy to answer them which I appreciate. Second, this Art show is just the right size and you can actually view all art exhibits (from beautiful Artisan sterling jewelry to sculptures, to photographs, paintings and art work made from tiny tiles creating an actual picture as well as beautiful and colorful handmade unique tote bags, handbags, scarves and so many other things) in under 2-hours! Third, parking is easy and, best of all, it is FREE on Sunday (if you park on the street). This Fine Arts and Craft Show is now in its 40th Year! We checked it out on Saturday, but it was too hot/humid so we left within 45-minutes without a purchase. There were less than 50 exhibits/artists which made the event nice and easy for viewing all the exhibits. This Art & Craft Show is held in Scoville Park at the corner of Oak Park Ave and Lake Street. Although we didn't stay long we stopped off at our favorite Venezuelan restaurant, Aripo's on Marion Street, and enjoyed a very good lunch. The food is hearty, incredibly reasonable and service is always hospitable and warm. This is a mom and pop operation. Best of all, the food is incredibly flavorful, perfectly seasoned and the meat is melt-in-your mouth tender. It is worthy of 4-stars! We found a free spot on Oak Park Ave on both days. We were really lucky! I also like the fact that there tons of restaurants nearby. We returned Sunday, and stayed for 2-hours. It was an overcast, dismal day, but there was a nice breeze which made it nice for staying longer. Afterward, we walked over to Erik's Deli (I wrote a review for Erik's Deli) for sandwiches. There are so many art and craft exhibits in Chicago and the suburbs during the summer months. My two favorites are in Oak Park, IL and Evanston, IL. The price-point for the arts & craft shows varies from moderate ($$) to expensive ($$$$) depending upon what you purchase at the Fine Arts Show. This is a great Fine Arts Show, because it is family friendly and dog friendly. There were so many beautiful pieces of Artisan jewelry, but I didn't purchase any jewelry. We ended up purchasing a beautiful Fall painting with bold colors. The Artist was very friendly and took the time to talk with us about her work. If you cannot find legal parking spot on the street, head over to the Oak Park Public Library (Lake Street just a bit west of Oak Park Ave), and walk over to the Art & Craft exhibit. I am not 100% sure if parking is FREE at the library parking lot on Sunday. However, I do know that if you are at the library parking lot less than two hours it is only $1 -- if you are there for over 3-hours it is 5 bucks-- still a lot cheaper than getting a parking ticket from an Oak Park cop! If you missed this show, you can always check out the Park Ridge Art Show which is also sponsored by the American Society of Artists, September 20, 2014 from 9 to 5 pm.

This was our second Frank Lloyd Wright (FLW) tour, having been to Robie House earlier that day…read more The Robie House is beautiful, but the FLW Home and Studio was more interesting because 1. He and his family lived there 2. He continued to add onto the house over the years. 3. It served as his place of business, with a room for him and his architects, a room for meeting with clients, etc. It was interesting to see the progression of his talent all under one (okay, many) roof(s). The home and tour was interesting and informative. There are many surprisingly unique things; you shouldn't miss it. We knew there were many homes in the area designed by FLW. It was raining and, unfortunately, not conducive to exploring the neighborhood on foot. If you're visiting or live in the area and have never been, this tour is worthwhile. I recommend seeing the Robie House first. Wright's talents are on full display. It's very different designing a home for someone other than yourself. Once you've seen the Robie House, seeing his home, built years before and added on to through the building of the Robie House, is profoundly interesting. And if weather permits, take a walk around the neighborhood and see more of Frank Lloyd Wright's genius.

I'm not the biggest Frank Lloyd Wright fan in terms of his style, but I can admit he was ahead of…read morehis time. It was interesting to learn about him and the creative choices he made for his house and studio. I think his style definitely had an influence on the Chicagoland area, so the history is fascinating. The tour guide was great!! We were in the area doing the Ernest Hemingway house tour, and decided why not make a day out of it and do this tour too. It was very close and we were able to walk here from Hemingway's house. This tour is also an hour long guided walking tour through his house and studio, which is attached ($20 for adults). We purchased tickets there inside the gift shop located behind the house. There were two women working behind the counter, and idk if it was just my bf and I, but one of them scoffed when my bf tried to pay cash instead of just calmly letting us know it's card only. I also don't know why it takes two people to sign customers up for a tour--just kind of an odd experience lol. Anyway, there was no space for the next tour so we had to wait an hour, which was fine. We walked around the neighborhood and looked at the various other Frank Lloyd Wright style homes.

I love this place! I had a wedding this past weekend and it…read morelooked so beautiful. This is actually my second time booking this place and it would definitely not be the last! Not disappointed at all. They're very friendly and helpful. We've had some hiccups here and there but nothing that would change my mind about booking the place. Thanks to Julia for all the help and keeping track of us all the way. !!

Omar Torres Kortright booked an apartment for Alberto Torrens. Stayed at my home for 3 nights. They…read morebroke my bed, and when I called Omor or Alberto, they started playing games and when I requested the money, he told me the he wasn't responsible for the bed being broken. Nevertheless , he went on the site and and wrote a bad review for me. He called me all type of names in the book. Never the less I spoke with this guy he had no respect and let him into my home just because he was coming from a place a business. This guy is the face of evil, I won't support him with a filling breath of me. He is spiteful and disrespectful and and he carry this business as a symbol to commit untrustworthy activity.

One word: WOW…read more Seriously, the women of Otonohana are damn near amazing. Creative, talented, genuine, unique, dedicated, artistic, passionate and...FUNNY. No, seriously...they were cracking me up the entire time I worked with them. I spent some long hours assembling those photos, and these ladies made it an enjoyable experience from start to finish. Fun, accessible, unique, authentic art for all. These women know what's up...keep an eye out for their next show, get involved and support local art. Very cool. Glad I could be a part of one...an excellent experience all around.

Otonohana is awesome. Otonohana is fun. Otonohana is accessible. Otonohana is all about Chicago…read more Well, at least that's what we want it to be.... that's right, I am reviewing my own (and Jamie K's, Mindy M's, Sarah K's, and Carrie J's) little creative collective. Otonohana throws creative events around Chicago that are accessible to you, not just the cool kids who got their BFA for the Art Institute. We wanted to have events/parties/shows that everyone in Chicago could creatively contribute to and not feel like they are at a disadvantage from anyone else. This is how we do it: 1. We come up with a theme that puts all participants on a level playing field i.e. 12 photos in 24 hours, photos of your neighborhood, etc 2. You shoot the assignment with a disposable camera 3. You return the cameras to Otonohana. We develop the film and mount the photographs. 4. We throw a little open to public gallery showcasing all the photographs submitted. 5. Throw in a little local music, a local DJ, some booze, and a lot of dancing and you have a PARTY, Otonohana style. You shoot. We print and present the photographs. You enjoy the party. Hopefully we will see some Yelpers at tonight's Elite event at West Loop Studio. Tell us what you think. After all... our motto is "I [heart] criticism."

It was such a pleasure to meet Tom Tomc and his colleagues at The Art of Restoration on Halsted…read more They are artists in the truest sense with relentless curiosity and rich imaginations. I deeply appreciate the time they spent with me, their genuine interest in and appreciation of the piece I brought to be restored, as well as their profound skill, generosity, and kindness. There was no requirement of them to share other current restoration projects and artwork in the studio, both theirs and that of clients, but I was provided with a fascinating profile of their company and vast knowledge. Rare and daunting intelligence and expertise abound in this studio. Most importantly, their work is exquisite -- painstaking detail on a rare graphic print, that was transformed and brought to life again. I can not write a more positive recommendation nor thank them adequately. You wont be disappointed -- they're simply the best in Chicago!

Absolutely FANTASTIC work by Tom. We bought a rare, pricey, vintage poster that had holes, water…read morestains, creases, spots, tears and Tom worked magic on it. He brought it back to life. He mounted it on linen, cleaned it, and did paper surgery that is flawless. We are very happy with Tom's work. There are so many different places that do this kind of work it's kind of overwhelming trying to find a restorer. We feel so lucky to have found Tom. He's a true artist. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

Wow...impressive resume and contributions to Chicago's public art scene…read more I first learned about Muralist Hector Duarte's work on a Chicago Architecture Tour's "Historic Neighborhoods Tour" when our bus tour visited/toured Pilsen. Our guide, Delta pointed out his studio which has a colossal mural of a man of gigantic proportions attempting to break free from being held down by barbed wire. Impressive in design and important in the Barrio Art Movement in the United States. The Mural is titled: "Gulliver in Wonderland." (If you do not take a bus tour to see it-take the Pink Line Train and it is only a few blocks away by foot and not far from The National Museum of Mexican Art). Mr. Duarte was born in Mexico and studied under the tutelage of David Alfaro Siqueiros one of the famous three muralists commissioned by the Mexican Government commencing in the 1920s to paint murals around Mexico in order to address social issues and educate the public about the legacy of the cultures and history of the country. (The other two muralists were Diego Rivera and Jose Clemente Orozco). According to his profile under "The Chicago Art Group" Mr. Duarte states: "I tend to use bright colors--I attribute this to my Latin American origins, where the presence of the sun influences our view of color--but have a very broad palette. I use recognizable symbols and images that dramatize life to Latinos here in the U.S. These have included corn, images from the Day of the Dead, and the Loteria game as well as the heart, which has both pre- and post-Colombian religious significance and is something all people can identify with. I usually choose themes that deal with the local community in some way or themes that speak to all of us." He is industrious and innovative...with 45 or more murals exhibited along walls in Chicago. He is also involved in organizing and providing opportunities within Chicago in association with Pilsen Fest 2017. Chicago is truly lucky to have him as part of our community and a true asset to the legacy of public art in Chicago. For more information about Mr. Duarte see: http://www.chicagopublicartgroup.org/hector-duarte/ PS. I wish the Chicago Architecture Foundation would provide a tour to visit/tour all of his murals in Chicago via bus????