Self-Trained Local Artist Gee Horton's Hyperrealistic Pencil Drawings Will Blow Your Mind

While I haven't done any research, I'd wager a guess that coaching women's basketball at the university level is not a typical starting off point for most artists. However, most artists aren't Gee Horton.

From BLINK to P&G, Paper Acorn's Unique Sculptures Make Cincinnati a Prettier Place

What began as a tiny box in the shape of a paper acorn a decade ago blossomed into Jessica Wolf's full-time creative outlet.

Local Artists Brightened Plum Street With a Brand New Mural

Cincinnati celebrated Juneteenth with the unveiling of a Black Lives Matter mural covering a portion of Plum Street. The mural was done by 17 local artists.

Oakley to Receive Historic Candid Photos of Nelson Mandela This Weekend

Caza Sikes, the Oakley gallery that's no stranger to hosting incredible works, is poised to exhibit David Turnley's historic Nelson Mandela photographs from 11 AM to 7 PM on Saturday (June 20th). The free exhibition will be held outdoors for safety. Turnley was a friend of the Mandela family and documented South Africa's effort to end apartheid over a 30-year period.

Local Designer & Artist Sean Foster Does Beautiful Work You Simply Must See

See if you can recognize these Cincy scenes from graphic designer Sean Foster's watercolor series.

A Cincy-Based Home Improvement Show Is Currently Airing on Cable Through June 27

The English Contractor, a Cincinnati-based custom home builder and contractor, has its own cable TV show all about home improvement. We toured the home in the first episode to see their quality work for ourselves, and it lived up to the hype.

Sadie Kern Captures Cincinnatians' Spirit With Custom Drawings & an Original Coloring Book

When artist Sadie Kern isn’t working in a coffee shop, she’s illustrating imaginative custom portraits that promote self-love, self-expression, and women empowerment under the name Popgunflo.

Cincy Shirts' "Stay at Home" Collection Features Shirts & Masks With Cincy Flair

The folks at Cincy Shirts have kept creating during the last couple of months with shirts and masks that lightheartedly reflect the day's current events.

One of Mt. Adams' Most Enviable Properties Makes a Run on the Market

A year ago, I wrote about an incredible house on one of the choicest plots of land in Mt. Adams. 1059 Celestial Street dazzles with all its imported windows, beautiful wood and stone finishes, and minimalist aesthetic. It wasn't for sale last year—it was just a story about the greatness of the house. A lot can change in one year, though. As of today, the house is now for sale. DETAILS.

Local Artist Tyler Reed Spreads Cheer & Humor Through a Collective of Colorful Characters

Reed's art brightens the Instagram and Twitter feeds of those who follow him through carefully crafted visual art and humor.

A Beautiful Bungalow in Madisonville Received a Tasteful Makeover

Bigger isn't always better. Keeping it modest and tasteful can provide a huge amount of value without extra square footage to maintain or the price tag to go along with it. 4325 Homer Avenue in Madisonville is a perfect example of an excellently renovated older home with loads of stylish finishes and personality in a relatively small package.

Take a Hike up the Handsome New 9-Story Staircase to the Art Museum

We've been watching it go up over the months, and now it's finally open. Take a peek at the Cincinnati Art Museum's new Art Climb.

Covingtonian Ron Padgett's Excellent Nightly Costumes Are a Sight to Behold

One Covington man found creative and humorous ways to enjoy the Halloween costumes he made for himself over the years while entertaining his friends and neighbors online.

You Can Visit One of OTR's Finest Historic Buildings In the Next 3 Seconds

Yes, it's currently closed to in-person visits, but you can see nearly all of it by using this awesome interactive virtual tour that the Oval Room built for the building's website.

The Mercantile Library Connects with Queen City Readers in New Ways

Founded in 1835, TheMercantile Library is a diamond in the crown of the Queen City. It’s a membership library that welcomes anyone who wants to join. They routinely host packed author readings, poetry and book discussions, and all sorts of interesting literary and community events. You can use it as a workspace during its open hours, and their collection of books is hard to beat, whether it's their print collection or their vast and ever-expanding e-library.

Just Because You're Stuck at Home Doesn't Mean You Can't Look Good

8 Music Videos That Were Filmed in Cincinnati

From East Price Hill to Fairfield and many locations in between, artists have utilized the area's diverse architecture and visually appealing scenery as a complement to their music.

A 100-Year-Old Local Jeweler Offers Its Precious Stones & Accessories Online

Welling & Co., a century-old local jeweler, takes its wares totally online amid closures to its brick and mortar stores.

Are Bugs Beautiful? An Artist Showcases Colorful Critters In a Positive Light

'Synthetic' is a photo collection of scanned bugs and animals displayed up close to give you a sense of their biological beauty.

Ben Wright Photographs Cincinnati, Nature, and a Variety of Abandoned Places

From abandoned places to Red River Gorge and plenty of beautiful Cincinnati cityscapes in between, local photographer Ben Wright covers all kinds of interesting places with his camera.

How to Draw a Cheese Coney Using 4 Colored Pencils

If you love Cincinnati, you probably have a strong opinion about its chili. If you love it, why not learn to draw a cheese coney? Could come in handy one day!

Refined Rewind: Finding Sculpted Faces in Cincy Places

For decades, architects routinely added human figures to their blueprints, amplifying the artistry of their work. And Cincinnati, the treasure trove of architectural riches it is, is brimful of examples of beautifully sculpted faces.

25 Facts About the Once-Controversial Abe Lincoln Statue in Lytle Park

What started as a memorial to a department store and hotel owner slowly evolved into a unique controversy linking the art world with politics, and ended up being one of Cincinnati's most prized works of public art.

Get Creative at Home with These DIY Kits and How-Tos From Local Shops & Artists

You don't need to go anywhere to make art. Local organizations and artists are providing resources such as virtual how-to courses, DIY kits, and other ways to spend quality creative time at home.

A List of Awesome Local Musicians You Should Stream Today

If you're feeling restless, stressed, bored, or otherwise down in the dumps throw on some headphones and listen to any of these local bands/musicians to improve your mood.

A Local Artist & Ballet Dancers Collaborated on This Amazing Underwater Photo Series

These may look like paintings from the Renaissance Era, but they're actually photos from an awesome underwater series that includes ballet dancers and models.

Cincy Students & Spirited Alumni Should Check out This Sweet Clothing Line

Local designer and marketer Sarah Hannapel makes custom clothing geared towards students and those who love local colleges. Check out her work!

Artist Ellebrux Whisks Us Away to a Rich World of Nature, Bold Colors, & 90s Nostalgia

Local artist Laura Brooks, also known as Ellebrux, draws inspiration from the 90s and nature when it comes to making her handcrafted jewelry and artwork.

A Few Local Authors Whose Books You Can Read or Listen to Right Now

If you find yourself looking for something to do during your down time, consider downloading or ordering a book written by these Cincinnati authors.

A Local Ad Agency Calls the Historic Walnut Hills Cable House Home

This Walnut Hills-based ad agency has some slick new digs inside a building that used to pull cable cars up Gilbert Avenue over a century ago.

Know Theatre Keeps Art & Culture Alive With Streaming Shows & Audio Theater

Revenue made from sales of all streaming and downloadable content will be split 50/50 between the theater and the artists who made the shows possible. That support will help everyone involved in the artistic community.

15 Facts We Learned About Hippos During the Zoo's Daily Broadcasts

Did you know hippos are surprisingly fast on foot? After watching the Cincinnati Zoo's free online Home Safari session about hippos, I learned quite a bit about them.

How to Draw a Flying Pig in 8 Simple Steps

Here's one easy way to draw the Queen City's porcine mascot!

11 Movies Filmed in Cincinnati You Can Stream Right Now

Cincinnati is no stranger to the silver screen. You can stream these 11 films made in Cincinnati right now so long as you have an internet connection.

This Interior Designer Knows Her Way Around a Historic High-Rise

Heliotrope Design LLC has been in the local interior design biz for 10 years now and has a portfolio that includes everything from an 1800s church to two Downtown apartment buildings.

Get Ready For This Weekend's Free Multi-Venue Arts Day

OTR Arts Day, presented by ArtsWave with support from Macy's, is a free six-hour event on Saturday, March 14th from 10 AM to 4 PM that features tours, performances, art-making, and more at venues all around OTR and Pendleton.

Know Theatre's 'Alabaster' Is a Touching Drama With a Cast That's 50% Goat

It's funny. It's sad. It's scary. It's touching. It's classic drama without the predictability.

Some of Our Favorite Colorful Houses & Buildings In and Around Cincy

White, tan, beige, dull red...fuhgettaboutit! These buildings shirk conventional, boring palettes and get funky with a splash of color.

The Best of Union Terminal's Week of Nightly Light Shows

Union Terminal did light shows on its face following its grand reopening, and we enjoyed the heck out of them.

A DAAP Alum Took This 1870s Covington House & Gave It a Total Facelift

If he isn't already, Tom Covert is on track to becoming a household name when it comes to historic home renovations.

Pam Kravetz's 'Elevated' Brilliantly Colors Outside the Lines at the 21C Museum Hotel

Ya gotta love Pam.

A Custom Woodworker in Pleasant Ridge Has Been Creating for Over 16 Years

Thane Lorbach Custom Woodworking specializes in personalized woodworks, laser-cut pieces, and even hosts workshops out of his Pleasant Ridge shop.

One of the Last of Its Kind, Dixie Union Station Is a Model Train-Lover's Paradise

For over 20 years, this amazing little model train store has kept chugging away while competition fled to the internet. Today, it's among the last of its kind in the region.

A Local Stylist Will Clear Your Closet and Fill It With the Outfits You Need

Sometimes shopping is hard; buying clothes and coordinated outfits should be a breeze, right? Alli Robben makes it so.

We Toured the Art Museum's Hidden, Incredible Fashion Archive

Hundreds of years of dresses, hats, and shoes fill movable shelves deep within the belly of the Cincinnati Art Museum. We went inside to see it for ourselves.

This Former Cincy Cop Became a Fine Artist After Years of Working Toward His Dream

You're probably familiar with Tony Lipps' amazing paintings. The story of how he became an artist, however, isn't a story you typically hear.

Helltown Bazaar + Workshop Is a Treasure Chest of Vintage & Retro Decor

Whether you’re looking for a one-of-a-kind Mid-century Modern piece to add to your home or a local service to reupholster the dated furniture you already have, you’ll find it all at Helltown Bazaar + Workshop

The Work of Visionary American Artist N.C. Wyeth Graces the Taft Museum

A selection of work by N.C. Wyeth, one of the most talented early-19th century American artists, is currently on display at the Taft Museum of Art. The show highlights Wyeth's profound breadth of creative genius until May 3, 2020.

There's a Reason These NKY Apartments Have "View" in Their Name

These Newport apartments are only a short walk from the Levee and even closer to becoming some of the most enviable places to live in town.

This Local Home Improver Only Uses Eco-Friendly Materials

Greener Stock is celebrating a decade in the biz, and one look at their beautiful work makes it easy to understand why they've been around for as long as they have.

Two Locals Started an Eco-Friendly, Industrial Sewing Facility for Others

Sew Valley was started in 2017 by Rosie Kovacs and Shailah Maynard, two former students who wished they had had access to industrial sewing equipment and a small batch manufacturing facility while in school.

A Local Designer and a Woodworker Make Fantastic Custom Signs

When you see these signatures wooden signs around town and at your friends’ parties, know that they weren’t made by a random person from the internet. They were made by *local* people from the internet.

A Local Woman's Passion For Pottery Gives Back to Women Everywhere

Dana Makstaller uses her love of pottery and years of experience, both with and without it, to make beautiful art partially so she can give back to an organization that helps women--the same organization that helped her.

A Dreamy Hans Nuetzel-Designed Hyde Park House Got a Handsome Facelift

Residing on a secret/sought-after private lane in Hyde Park, the house features four bedrooms, three and a half baths, and three stories of sophisticated living space on nearly an acre of green lawns bordered by forest.

A George Clooney Miniseries Prominently Features This Local WWII-Era Plane

You may have seen Hulu's 'Catch-22' miniseries, but you may not have realized one of the planes in the WWII action/comedy holds a connection to the Tri-state.

Northside's Visionaries + Voices Sells the Work of Its Talented Resident Artists

The retail shop itself got started after each exhibition began offering merchandise themed around the artist's gallery. This expanded into what is now known as the "Visionarium."

A Downtown Boutique Provides a Second Life to High-Quality Wardrobes

Portaluca's mission is to help women feel confident, powerful, and beautiful by suiting them in designer outfits at affordable prices.

The Little Victorian Head-Turner on Greenup Street You Simply Must See

709 Greenup Street in Covington is the type of house you'd imagine seeing on a steep street in San Francisco. The only thing it's missing a view of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The 20th Century Cincinnati Modern Show Returns February 22-23

The show, now in its third decade, is one of the best Modern design shows in the country. You’ll find more than 70 dealers across a 20,000-square–foot exhibition hall (wear your walking shoes—this is big, folks!). Modern sellers from all over the country

Know Theatre's Latest Is Expertly Acted and Hauntingly Honest About the World

'In the Night Time (Before the Sun Rises)' is about how two people grapple with the harsh reality of living in a dangerous world after bringing a new life into in over the course of one long, unforgettable night.

Northside's Steampunk Airbnb Is a Welcome Sight for Weary Travelers

Strap on your goggles, cast away the ropes, and fly your oversized dirigible straight to Northside so you can stay the night in the Steampunk House.

NVISION Has an Eclectic Mix of Vintage, Secondhand, and Locally Made Items

There's no telling what you'll find in this shop. That's what makes it so much fun to visit again and again.

Cynthia Lockhart Opens Up About 'Journey to Freedom' at the Taft Museum of Art

Artist Cynthia Lockhart's 'Journey to Freedom' at the Taft Museum of Art features incredibly detailed and colorful quilts Lockhart made herself. The show invites visitors to explore diversity in all its forms through March 15th.

This Contractor Updates Local Historic Homes Without Erasing What Makes Them Special

Eric Smyth and his team do outstanding work. You need to see how they've transformed old homes on Dayton Street in the West End into stunning new homes all while preserving as much of the house's history as possible.

A Rare 1878 Statue of Liberty Prototype Recently Came to Cincy for Auction

It's not every day that Cincinnati gets one of the only remaining original prototypes for the most recognizable monument in America.

A Fort Mitchell Shop Has Racks of Fashionable Clothes Plus a Botox Bar

Come for the clothes, stay for the Botox.

Northside Has an Amazing Co-Working Space Designed With Creators In Mind

The Depot in Northside is the definitive co-working space with a breadth of amenities for every creative. Here's a peek inside.

Our Favorite Photos of 2019

We were busy this year! Sit back, relax, and enjoy a slideshow of some of our favorite photos from the last 365 days.

Creative Retail Is Alive & Thriving Inside Covington's Handzy Shop + Studio

Handzy is a true small business in Covington providing high-quality products both online and on Pike Street. The expanded store and companion baby/toddler shop next door, Gumdrop, add a load of vibrancy to the neighborhood's retail scene.

The Amos Proves Historic Local Architecture Can Be Reused For Luxurious Modern Living

High ceilings, Italian-made Bertazzoni appliances, custom wardrobes made locally, high-quality finishes...The Amos in the Historic Licking Riverside District of Covington is among the premier places to call home in the neighborhood.

Pomegranate & Lime Will Wrap Your Unique Gift with a Signature Bow

Pomegranate & Lime offers a changing selection of dazzling jewelry, bow ties, local college-themed accessories, baby items, and seasonal decorations for the home. It's the perfect one-stop shop for finding a one-of-a-kind gift for any occasion.

Check Out This Slick Photo Studio Inside a 149-Year-Old Mid-Rise Building Downtown

A local photography company renovated four floors of a 149-year-old Downtown building to suit commercial food photography needs, or anything else you might be looking to shoot.

Reusch Interior Design Redid This Kitchen/Bathroom Combo With Colorful Results

Reusch Interior Design, based in Hyde Park, does gorgeous work. You may remember the feature we did on them last year. They’ve struck design gold again with a stunning kitchen and bath remodel in Hyde Park. Tired of “white box” kitchens? You will not find that here. Laney Reusch, principal designer at Reusch Interior Design, took a plain, white-tiled, white-cabinet, solid color-walled kitchen and dining room and utterly transformed it.

The Frog Princess Makes a Leap Ensemble Theatre's Mainstage For the First Time in 12 Years

For the first time in 12 years, Ensemble Theatre will be performing The Frog Princess, a family-friendly musical based on a classic Russian fairy tale

Inside Spiritwood: A 1920s Indian Hill Residence That Grew Over The Last 90 Years

Spiritwood is now home to the Smiths, who are diligently restoring areas of the house to its original 1920s look. According to Lorinn Smith, the roughly 15,000-square-foot house has a staggering 35 rooms in total.

One of Hyde Park's Most Sought-After Condos Finally Hits the Market

Since it was built in 2009, only four condos in 2801 Erie Avenue have been on the market. When someone moves into this highly popular, contemporary Hyde Park condo building, they rarely leave. That's only one reason why Unit #101 is worth talking about.

You Can Get Married Under the Roebling Bridge

A group of women-owned businesses banded together to do a photoshoot to promote the Roebling Bridge as a wedding destination through Anderson Pavilion. Together, they captured how elegant a modern bride might look in an iconic 150-year-old space.

These Local Leather Accessories Promote Positivity

A Newport couple wants to make the world a more positive place with their colorful bags and the wishes that come with each one.

The "Norwood Charmer" Is Nicole Nichols' Latest Excellent Cincy Rehab

If you've been reading Refined for a while, you'll know we are fans of Nicole Nichols' brand of rehabs, mainly because when she renovates a home, she RENOVATES in all caps. The 'Norwood Charmer' is her latest project.

An Oakley Boutique Blooms with Style and Fresh Flowers

Before heading out the door with your new shoes, why not pick up a fresh bouquet on the way out?

Go See This Hilarious Play That Takes Place In a Very Famous British Wizard Universe

Know Theatre's latest and current show, Puffs or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic by Matt Cox, is all about a group of adolescent wizards learning about themselves, their abilities, and their (many) failures all while living in the shadow of Harry Po... uh, I mean... a very famous fictional wizard who happens to hail from the UK. Puffs is the third Mainstage production to kick off the theater's 22nd season themed around the concept of "The Fight.

The Purveyor of Cincy's Finest Kitchens Owns the Most Refined Kitchen Himself

Many know NOLI Modern, the Italian kitchen design shop in Findlay Market owned by Agostino Fede. But what they may not know is what the master of modern kitchens has in his own OTR loft. We interviewed him to find out.

If You Dig Retro Furnishings, You'll Love Latonia's Curated Design & Decor

You can find some great Mid-century modern pieces in the shop to decorate any space, or perhaps a one-of-a-kind gift if you're feeling generous.

Big Brands Are Producing Commercials & Content Inside Newport's Slick New Creative Studio

Because of its central location and proximity to downtown, ample parking, and well-designed studio space, the sky's the limit for the garage that's helping transform Newport into New Hollywood.

Collaborate With Professionals to Design Your Own Deluxe Suit at Bespoke Tailoring

All the Best-Dressed Cincy Peeps of October 2019

Y'all brought your A-game to fashion last month. From BLINK-goers to Halloweeners, we saw an embarrassment of riches when it came to fall fashion.

Pendleton's Prettiest Airbnb Is Cleverly Hidden In a Well-Traveled Alley

A tucked-away, modest-looking Airbnb absolutely stunned us with how beautiful it is inside. You HAVE to see this place.

The Fashion Photoshoot 'Opulent Wanderlust' Is a Treat for the Eyes

Local artists collaborated on a fashion photoshoot, and this is what they made. Kick back, relax, and enjoy this visual adventure through color, texture, and movement courtesy of photographer Tina Gutierrez and stylist Shawna Maria.

A Rare Piece of Post-War American History Sits on a Shady Wyoming Street Corner

In post-war America, a housing shortage kicked off a plan to mass-produce affordable houses called Lustron homes, but the plant closed just a few years after it opened. Cincinnati has at least one of these rare late-1940s houses in Wyoming.

Spanish Treasures Dating Back 4,000 Years Are Currently at the Cincinnati Art Museum

The Treasures of the Spanish World Exhibit had so many fascinating pieces, it ended up filling three galleries in the Cincinnati Art Museum.

Japp's, the Cocktail Leviathan of Main Street OTR, Looks Amazing After Its Recent Remodel

Molly Wellmann's flagship bar gets a makeover that somehow remains true to its roots while improving everything about its look in an undeniable way.

The Aston Oaks English Manor Hearkens Back to a Time of US Presidents & Horticulture

It all started in 1855...

'Art In Bloom' Pairs Custom-Designed Floral Arrangements With Works of Art

For fans of flowers, art, and museums, there is no better event. Art in Bloom only happens once every two years, so get up to the Cincinnati Art Museum before it leaves!

If You Love Custom-Designed, Contemporary Homes, Ben Fry Should Be On Your Radar

No two Ben Fry homes are the same, and when it comes to the local home-building arena, he's a heavyweight contender.

This 1890 Victorian Reno in NKY Is *the* Definition of Photogenic

A couple turned a formerly abandoned Victorian house in Dayton, KY into a magazine-worthy personal home and Airbnb.

Everything We Saw While Walking Around BLINK for the First Two Days

We walked around as much of BLINK as we could for its first two days and saw a lot! From Covington to Over-the-Rhine and everything in-between, there's quite a bit to enjoy.