Over the holidays, I was searching for a caricature artist and was lucky enough to connect with…read moreAlexandra (Alex) Cheek from Caricature Artists Group LLC on Christmas Eve. She patiently listened to my vision for a retirement gift and immediately put me at ease with her friendly, professional approach. Alex gave me a realistic timeline that allowed time for review and edits, which I really appreciated. She quickly delivered a draft that perfectly captured my colleague's personality, and the final inked and colored caricature exceeded my expectations! Amazing talent, great communication, and a wonderful experience from start to finish. Highly recommend!

I recently commissioned Audrey to create a caricature as a gift for a high-profile individual, and…read morethe entire experience was exceptional. From the very beginning, Audrey was incredibly patient and thoughtful. She took the time to understand the vision, asked insightful questions, and made sure every detail was handled with care and discretion. Her communication was clear, timely, and professional throughout the process, which gave me complete confidence--especially given the importance of the recipient. When it came to delivery, she exceeded all expectations. The final piece was not only beautifully executed but tasteful, polished, and perfectly suited for such a distinguished person. Aubrey has a rare combination of artistic talent, professionalism, and grace. I would absolutely work with her again!!!

I hired Samantha from Painted Palettes to hand letter mini pumpkins for a fall themed event and it…read morewas THE HIT FROM THE PARTY (even three months later, in the dead of winter my personalized pumpkin is still going strong and it's so beautiful I do not have the heart to throw it away). Samantha was easy to work with from start to finish and was able to stay professional despite the long lines at the party (I mean, how could you not want something so beautiful as a keepsake?). I could picture using her for corporate events, bridal showers, baby showers and any other celebration that could you a personalized twist. She can write on any material and even engraves on glass! I have not had the chance to check out her Intro to Hand Lettering classes yet but for now, I'll leave it to the pros. Painted Palettes is simply the best!

I first saw and met Samantha from Painted Palettes at a Yelp Elite event back in 2018. Then I…read morestarted following her work on Instagram (@painted_palettes). A couple months ago, my friend Kim and I took an Intro to Hand Lettering class with Samantha at Steadfast Supply in DC. Oh that rush hour traffic and $20 parking was sooo worth it! Turns out, Samantha used to be a teacher, and it shows in the way she articulates the class. It was easy to follow her instructions, and she was very hands-on with showing examples. Plus we got a pretty decent set of tools and goodies to take home with us! Since, I've purchased some of her watercolor artwork to hang at home. I am such a fan! The artwork can be found on her website or in various shops in the area. And her classes are actually affordable! Next I want to take her Pointed Pen class!

Some of the most beautiful colors and designs with creativity at its peak. Add value to your wall…read morewith one of her paintings. I did and I'm eternally grateful.

From the owner: The Algerian Painter is bringing awareness and relief to anxiety in an art form that keeps giving…read moreback. Imagine walking down your hallway at night thinking about the stress of your next meeting, bills, family, etc. Then you look up & Malcolm X is glowing in the dark, then just for a moment, you’re not thinking about the stress that life throws our way. If I am able to capture moments like this throughout people’s lives to bring relief free from anxiety, I’ve done my purpose. The Algerian Painter

Beautiful! I enjoy visiting the Trisha Adams Gallery and Studio. Her paintings are vibrant and…read morealways make me feel happy. Trisha is a pleasure to talk and helpful when making an art selection or commissioning a custom painting. It's a small space with refreshing light and comfortable seating while you enjoy looking at the artwork. I've bought a couple of her paintings and love them more every time I see them. (Fair warning - they do sell fast. Someone else bought one of the paintings I liked before I decided on it so I didn't delay on the next one.) She works on the paintings right there in the studio so you can see what's about to be ready. The gallery is in the Herndon historic district right next to the bike path. I like to make a day of it and have lunch etc. Because it's open "by chance or appointment", make sure to call ahead using the number on her website ( https://trishaadams.com/ ) to see if she's there. I once called when I realized I'd be nearby and she came right over!

The Torpedo Factory is still wonderful as it has been, right on Alexandria's waterfront. We love…read morethe local artist's ceramic workshop. There are 3 levels, and on the ground floor there are models of old torpedos. The rebirth and repurposing of an old factory is very meaningful, as it is now a haven for local artists. However, there was forever a long line to the ladies' room. They should consider renovating the restrooms or expanding them. I understand with old architecture there may be constraints, but given how popular this place is, it is fair to ask.

10/10 A whimsical place I stumbled into one Saturday morning…read moreafter attending the Farmer's Market. It's a large space with a lot to explore designed in a way that doesn't make you feel overwhelmed. With 3 massive floors, it seemed like there was endless art to explore. It's fun and cool walking into the artist's workshop to engage and see what they're working on in real time. They were all so friendly and welcoming. Overall the experience here was a delight!

08.03.2018 'The Power of Nature' artist reception…read more Great place to check out art from local artists and purchase works from members of the Arlington Artists Alliance. Will post updated pics and videos soon. __ I eat. @f.hux I thrift. @DCthriftish

I haven't been to the Gallery proper enough times to merit a review, but I have been through the…read moreCrystal City Fotowalk more times than I can count. I love walking through the Fotowalk - it makes this entire sprawling underground maze much more beautiful and much more interesting! Some of the photography exhibits have incredible themes - I loved the 'Color' theme. So many of the photos in that exhibit were just spellbinding! The themes rotate every few months and always highlight something intriguing. I think the most recent one was on sights from across the US. Anyways, a free gallery exhibit of amazing photos taken by mostly DMV-based photographers in a spot where you can take your time and explore and soak in all the goodness? A definite win, so take a few minutes next time you're on the blue/yellow line to stop off at Crystal City and get a dose of art in your life.

Great family business. I've seen it driving past my husband's work but didn't realize they offer…read moreclasses until I googled. So glad my friend and I came to take a short project class. We really enjoyed ourselves and will be back. Great instruction, designs offered, and value. They also have small gifts up front if you don't have time for a class, but want something hand made locally.

Fiscus Glassworks is a gem in Alexandria. I have now taken all of their classes from beginner to…read morestructure/dimension and design and build. I even entered my pieces I created in these classes at the Arlington County Fair and won the Reserve Grand Champion for my division! I now frequent their studio during open hours with their studio time passes. Brad and Maré are kind, welcoming and extremely knowledgeable! They can help you create patterns and make your stained glass visions come true. Definitely check Fiscus out!

Great place for custom neon signs Craig and his associates…read morewere very helpful in the design and fabrication process of a neon sculpture I wanted for my private home. Send him an email, very friendly man.

From the owner: Custom neon sculpture and art.read more

Splendid & Swanky didn't just stage our house; they orchestrated a breathtaking transformation…read more Their keen eye for design, paired with an unparalleled commitment to excellence, brought our vision to life. Every corner of our home evoked elegance, style, and sophistication. What truly sets Splendid & Swanky apart is their remarkable ability to deliver results. Within just 48 hours of our home hitting the market, we received an offer! Their strategic staging not only captured the attention of potential buyers but also elicited an emotional connection that sealed the deal in record time. Splendid & Swanky's dedication to their craft and their unwavering commitment to client satisfaction, sets them apart as true industry leaders. We are beyond grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a phenomenal team and wholeheartedly recommend their services to anyone in search of a transformative home staging experience. Thank you, Splendid & Swanky, for making our dreams a reality and for proving that when it comes to staging, there's simply no better team and your house will sell quickly! -Dana

If you are looking to furnish an empty space, stop what you're doing and at least set up a call…read morewith the Splendid & Swanky team. For background, I have no interest in interior design and have no business spending real money on furniture I know nothing about. But I found myself in a situation where I had nothing for a space that had to be smartly utilized. And I wanted it to be beautiful. Was this really the time to experiment with Pinterest while spending thousands of dollars? & I needed the furniture to last long enough that I wouldn't have to think about this again for a very, very long time. I also needed to buy everything during a pandemic, when everything was delayed... So I turned to an option I never had considered before - hiring interior designers. I had heard great things about this team and wanted to explore sourcing this huge project out to them. It's a pretty simple process. You go to their website and fill out an intake form that introduces yourself and the project. Then they'll sell up a virtual call to meet and discuss your style, and budget. Then they came and looked at the space, took measurements. Then they pitched a proposal. From there you have to make some decisions. They are going to present you with options that may be outside of your budget. This is where we gotta grow up a little and recognize that if you want nice things, this is how much that actually cost. I was happy to increase my original proposed budget to get what I needed. But there were some peices that I wanted to spend less on and they quickly came back with lower priced options. They were very adaptable there. With that, they placed the order! Over the course of the next few months, the furniture started arriving. They work with a contractor who you can hire (through them, they handle all the admin work) who can assemble, hang, etc do all that work for you. They even came over to make sure everything was hung in the right spots. There is a science and art to design that they are factoring into every decision for your space, and it's worth their fee to get all your nice new furniture all in the right place. They look for beauty and functionality in every detail of the space. So now I have this gorgeous dining room [photo provided]. Our guests are blown away whenever they walk even towards the space. It's exactly what I wanted when I described the target ambiance to the team. Beautiful, relaxed, warm, stylish. I can't tell you how happy I am with my experience with Splendid & Swanky and the confidence it brought me about my home. If you're able to, whenever you're able to, hire professionals to do things you can't do well. It'll always be worth it. Here is the proof.