We hired Erin to come sketch attendees at an event and it was the best interactive "entertainment"…read morewe could have thought of. Folks love to have someone draw them, especially if it is in a uniquely artistic way. It totally sounds cheesy, but Erin managed to capture everyone's spirit in her sketches...some funny, some even sad. It was amazing and everyone walked away with a real peice of art!

I wanted a live-event artist at my wedding (1/30/15) so I could have a portrait of my ceremony in…read moremy home. Erin and her art company came highly recommended. She was quick to answer emails and my additional questions. Easy to e-pay as well -- not many vendors do that. Artist Jason Aponte ended up as the artist and I couldn't be more thrilled. He started sketching and painting right after the ceremony, and guests came up to him throughout the night to see the painting's progress. I was beyond thrilled with the result. Now I have a piece of art in my home! :)

This was one of my favorites galleries during Art Basel, but it was empty other than a few people…read morescrambling around to rearrange a tattoo exhibit that was not open yet. Granted it was off the beaten path, but still no one was there (surprising because we enjoyed what we saw). One look at the colorful art and unusual mediums used and we were sold. My typical artistic tastes don't relate much with these modern designs and unique subject matters, but I have to admit I liked it. Even though some of the art was a bit animated and cartoon like, I was certainly able to admire the artistic talent here (something I had trouble doing at some of the bigger-name galleries where I just did not get it regarding some of the art (like popped balloons on a chrome fence or various plastic bottles filled with beach sand or the ever popular testicles in a bottle). Throughout the day Dec 2 (Friday), artists that were being featured at the gallery were painting murals on 10 nearby buildings including one right next door. Interestingly enough the mural next door was being done by the artist whose work I was impressed with at the gallery (I believe his name was Pixel Pancho). In the gallery his work had a couple pieces that looked like classic superhero characters but in robotic form (I know it doesn't sound like true art, but it was good stuff); then walk out the door and there is this huge mural being done of the same style. I also very much liked work done by an artist Aaron Martin, who did paintings of pandas but they looked angry and full of emotions. We were talking to one of the artists that were scrambling around to set up that closed section, he invited us back for an event that takes "drawn art" and "tattooing" as permanent art on interested parties. It was supposed to be taking place throughout Art Basel but it wasn't ready as of the time I was there on Friday afternoon. The Aleloops 10 custom painted Mini Cooper's were scheduled to make an appearance here Friday night. In actuality, I came to Art Whino specifically for the Aleloops Coopers but was a bit too early. Though I ended up seeing them a couple hours later at Red Dot.

Let me start by stating something that will tell you just how pleased I am with Obrapia: These guys…read moreare magicians! I'll start from the beginning... last January the gallery that represents my work (Mayer Fine Art from Norfolk, VA) participated in the Miami International Art Fair at the Miami Beach Convention Center. During the hanging day, the largest and most expensive piece of artwork arrived in a huge crate and was delivered to the Convention Center. When the box was then moved to our booth, we discovered that the Convention Center's work crew had poked two huge holes in the crate by using a forklift to move the work horizontally. When we opened the box, there were two tiny punctures on a $26,000 painting taller than a person. We panicked and we asked the organizers if they knew of a good local art restorer. They recommended Obrapia and we called them. About eleven am or so, a nice Cuban guy with bright blue eyes and with the unfortunate name of Fidel (for a Cuban in Miami anyway) shows up. It is seldom in my experience that I have seen an "expert" not only be an expert, but also an aficionado of his expertise and a true hero in this case. For my fellow galleristas: when you come to Miami, if you need any repair work, or stretching, or conservation, or framing, then Obrapia Fine Arts has my highest possible recommendation. Fidel arrived, looked at the work and initially began to repair the two holes right on the spot. He did that easily and quickly, and after he was done, it was impossible to find them again. Because the painting had been laid flat during shipping (even though the crate was marked with giant letters with DO NOT LAY FLAT signs), the canvas had stretched and was wavy and bubbly and had several pressure marks. We needed it re-stretched, and it became clear that the only way to get it back to a taut canvas would be to un-frame it and re-tighten it. This is no easy task for a huge seven feet by seven feet work of art, and the decision was made to take the painting back to Obrapia's shop and work on it there. Easily said, but that meant that Fidel would have to go and rent a truck, come back, pick up the painting from the Convention Center, take it to his shop, un-frame it, upgrade the stretcher bars, stretch it, re-frame it, drive it back to the Convention Center and hang it. And it was 3PM and the fair opens at 6PM. Somehow this dude did it. At 5:30PM he was back with a beautifully taut painting, and not only had he fixed the tiny pricks, and not only had he re-stretched the saggy linen, and not only had he upgraded the stretcher bars and added a cross bar and four angle corners, but the amazing dude had also touched up the frame and eliminated all the nicks and bruises from it. And then he hung it. And then he gave Mayer Fine Art the bill, and we were shocked at how reasonable that bill was, and the amazing degree of professionalism and expertise and joy for the job shown by this talented conservator. And Obrapia Fine Arts got a well-earned tip on top of the bill from Mayer Fine Art.

This place is such a scam. I had a piece that needed to be reframed and repainted in a part. They…read morehad it for 3 months. The guy wouldn't return my phone calls, I went 4 times and he kept giving me the run around. Finally I just said I don't believe you give me the piece and he handed it to me without any work done. Total scam artist. Ridiculous.

Kfir Moyal. He is native of Israel, and showcases his artwork - pop culture inspired. I love all…read morethe crystal-encrusted paintings. They are each hand applied on the canvas! Apparently, they get a lot of fan following because of this! It is a very cool gallery which has sex appeal, beauty and popularity! Definitely go in and check out what they have! It is fun as well!

A MA ZING ! the attention from the front desk is amazing, they explain me everything about the art…read morework, even the process of the artist doing the artwork, I love it.

Colleen can make a $10 poster look like a hand painted masterpiece…read more She took one of our favorite prints, decoupaged it, and then used colors and materials to frame it that accentuated the picture. Decoupaging a print can make it look hand painted. I have 3 different posters she has done for me hanging in my house and they all are fabulous. She really has an eye for framing. I never realized how much the frame decides if a picture looks finished or not. She is expensive, but entirely worth it.

This is a wonderful small business that has survived the long haul due to the excellence of it's…read morestaff and the very high quality work you receive. A small business where you get to know the few on staff. I have worked with Colleen and Joe on multiple projects being a fine artist. They deliver all the time. If you are looking for cheap assembly line work, this is not your place. If you want fine work and quality top notch service and results, this is your place. Thank you Colleen and Joe!! Lanette Marie Scherr

Samara's studio is so versatile, she has amazing art pieces and she is extremely helpful at guiding…read moreyou on what will fit your art needs best. She also does really cool stuff at turning old boring pieces of furniture into art and give you place a while new look. I really recommend checking out her place.

Zubi Studios is outstanding. Is a beautiful space with amazing art. Adriana the artist and owner is…read moredeeply knowledgeable, so welcoming and helpful. I recently bought a previous unique piece "Our lady of Guadalupe". Definitely coming back!

Lizette's oil paintings are truly immaculate classical works or art that are timeless. Hang one of…read morethese pieces on your wall and you years from now you will still appreciate the work. She paints tropical landscapes that are in sync with the surrounding area. What's unique about her work is that she also has prints on tiles and on glass cutting boards, which is not easy labor. The color and the craftiness of her still life objectified art comes alive in your home providing countless hours of enjoyment and can be discussion pieces for launching into deeper philosophical topics.