The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is more than a hotel; it’s a gallery. The Ritz-Carlton, Chicago is a place consisting of quiet elegance. Nestled high above the city, located between Lake Michigan and the Magnificent Mile, the Ritz-Carlton experience provides a wellspring of creative inspiration. With no schedule or assignment, I wandered through the lobby with curiosity…
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Reset, Reflect, and Reconnect in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. There’s something sacred about the quiet of a morning before the world wakes up. On a recent summer weekend in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, I found myself rising early while the rest of the world lingered in bed. Before the coffee brews and the chatter begins, I lace up…
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Steel, Sound & Soul: A Night with Ray LaMontagne and David Gray at the Jay Pritzker Pavilion Some people chase concerts for the setlist, I chase them for the setting. As a music and architecture enthusiast, the Jay Pritzker Pavilion in Chicago was the perfect outdoor amphitheater to see Ray LaMontagne and David Gray. The…
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Rediscovering Creativity Through Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain Back to the drawing board, literally. I’ve been afraid to show you the uncomfortable part of art. The part that looks like nothing before it becomes something. But this is where it all begins. This is practice. This is a process. This is human.…
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From Lens to Canvas: A Journey Back to Abstract Paintings After years behind the camera lens, capturing quiet moments and moody landscapes on film, I felt called to dust off my paints and brushes. It wasn’t a sudden shift. It began subtly while reviewing rolls of 35mm film. I noticed patterns-shadows softening into shapes, light…
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There’s a certain magic in wandering through Chicago with a film camera in hand. The weight of it, the click of the shutter, the patience required to see what develops, it all feels like a rebellion against the instant gratification of the digital world. Today, Chicago is my canvas. I walk through the streets of…
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Up, Up, and Away: The Enchanting Experience of a Hot Air Balloon Ride in Galena, Illinois. There’s something undeniably magical about floating effortlessly through the sky, surrounded by nothing but vast expanses of clouds and stunning landscapes stretching out below Galena, Illinois. For those seeking a truly unforgettable adventure, a hot air balloon ride offers…
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Smartphone photography workshops now being offered at Treffert Studios. These workshops will teach the fundamentals of basic photography and composition techniques. You will learn how to make great photographs using a smartphone and learn editing techniques using a variety of apps. Turn your photographs into works of art then share and print the creations during…
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Adobe Offers Software For All Levels If you’re a beginner photographer who wants to step up your game, Adobe Express is an excellent tool. It’s an affordable alternative to Photoshop that offers access to stock photos and thousands of fonts, and the best part is, it’s easy to use without design experience. Whether you want…
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My solo travel adventures through France begin today. Chateau Orquevaux is the final destination for today, but a lot will happen between now and then. I need to begin this travel diary with a grateful heart. This solo travel experience wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for the support of my incredible family, especially my…
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