SECAC: In Situ

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In Situ was the first panel discussion I attended at SECAC. When I entered and started sketching, Rebakah Radke Associate Professor in the School of Interiors at the University of Kentucky College of Design was giving a presentation titled From Stitch to Site: Place-Based Learning Across Appalachian and French Post-Mining Landscapes. Her scholarship centers on design pathways for sustainable climatic futures in post‑mining territories of Appalachia, using community‑centric collaborative design processes to support climate aware and proactive communities. Radtke’s work is rooted in place‑based design research — engaging local communities in co‑creating solutions that respond to both ecological and social conditions. In Appalachia, this means addressing the legacies of coal mining, energy transition challenges, and climate resilience, while integrating local knowledge and expertise into design outcomes.

Kentucky has a long history of coal mining as does France. Her further research involving French post‑mining landscapes, involves similar socio‑ecologic transitions and community engagement strategies that need to be adapted. Rebekah had an inspired way of introducing mining to her students and then having them go to France to see how similar the mining history was there.

In my trip to Europe following the footsteps of my father 1st Lieutenant Arthur Thorspecken, I went to may mines in the Ruhr Pocket industrial area of Germany. Germany used forced labor to mine the coal. The coal was used to produce a crude diesel fuel which was needed to fuel thanks. I know that hundreds of Polish and Russian forced laborers died in the mines. They were literally worked to death, being starved to death. All the mines I visited were closed for many years. Some were converted into museums while others were abandoned and surrounded with security fencing. I sketched all the coal mines I could find in my travels through Germany.

The use of forced labor in German-occupied Europe during World War II took place on an unprecedented scale. It was a vital part of the German economic exploitation of conquered territories. It also contributed to the mass extermination of populations in occupied Europe. The Germans abducted approximately 12 million people from almost twenty European countries; about two thirds came from Central Europe and Eastern Europe.

In the teaching I do, I always work to get the students out of the classroom and out in the field sketching on location. Rebekah’s research and work with her students was a real inspiration.

SECAC: Opening Reception

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I drove to Winston Salem, North Carolina to attend a SECAC Conference with Stella Arbelaéz Tascón. SECAC stands for Southeastern College Art Conference. I was brought in as an illustrative journalist to cover the convention with sketches. Since I was offered a press pass, I felt I had to sketch every session I attended.

The drive to North Carolina was 10 hours, which was divided into two driving sessions. By the time we arrived at the Conference we were both exhausted. Stella’s world traveling mini poodle named Boo Boo came along for the Conference. Since we arrived late, there was no time to get him into a doggie day care. So, Stella brought him into the Conference in her shoulder bag. There is a hole in the shoulder bag which allows just Boo’s head to stick out. Most people never notice him or they think he is a plush stuffed animal.

The invitation said that the Opening Reception would happen in Salem 2, which was a large conference room. Outside that room there was plenty of small bites on tables, and each attendee got two drink tickets. Since I was waiting for the Salem 2 doors to open, I decided to get a plate of food and a white wine. I was feeling a bit tipsy from the single wine since I never drink. When I had finished the veggies, I had picked out for my dinner, I found that the Salem 2 Conference doors had still not opened. I opened one door and peaked inside to find a vast space filled with chairs. I decided to get a sweet slice of pie since I still had time to kill before I started my sketch.

When I finished my pie, I realized that the Salem 2 Conference room doors would never open. This informal gathering in the hallway was the event. I quickly whipped out my artist stool and sat down to sketch. Staff noticed me setting up and they complimented my on bringing along my own chair.

Then I dug into my art bag and pulled out my sketchbook. I had two sketchbooks to document the Conference. The small sketchbook I had used in the hotel room to write down the Conference Center address. I had then placed the sketchbook on my bed and forgot about it. At least I had the large hardbound sketchbook to work with. Then I realized I forgot my pen and pencil travel case. How on earth was I going to do a sketch, I didn’t have my art pencils, pens or watercolor brushes. Digging through my pockets I discovered I had a single yellow Ticonderoga pencil. I also had my watercolor palette but no brushes to apply the paint.

I had to put something on the page, so I started doing a very rough sketch with my pencil. Then I started applying watercolor with my finger and a rag. I wasn’t about to apply many colors I just needed to get something on the page.

While struggling with my sketch, I met Mina Rezghian. Mina is a University of South Carolina MFA candidate, She had three pieces on exhibit in the Annual SECAC Juried Exhibition. Thanks to exchanging Instagram information, I got to see some of her work. I briefly got to learn a little about her childhood in Iran. She mentioned a flood that washed away her collection of plush rabbits. My little sister had a plush rabbit that she held so often that it started to fall apart. She held the rabbit by its long partly detached ear and the rabbits butt dragged on the ground as my sister dragged it around. Mina’s childhood was washed away in a flash. Her father came to America feeling he could find a better life. Mina’s work reflects memories of a life that was tender and sweet and yet she came from a country that our President decided to bomb. On February 28, 2026 a U.S. Tomahawk missile struck an elementary school in Minab Iran, killing at least 156 people including 120 children and 26 teachers. After the brief conversation with Mina, I had a million more questions, but this is just an example of the amazing people that can be met at such an inspiring Conference.

In the Juried exhibition, Mina had two wooden pieces that had weathered photographs and that felt like antique momentous. A tiny photo of her cat walking in Mina’s grandmother’s courtyard was faded and yet evoked tender memories. The wooden panels were cut by Mina and she said the wood panels she had assembled stained and varnished held memories. I was lucky to meet this artist as I struggled with my sketch and at her opening at the juried group art show at Emerson Fine Arts Center at Salem College.

 

Betsy Ross & Friends; History as it Never Happened! Rehearsal

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I went to a rehearsal for a Betsy Ross & Friends; History as it Never Happened! rehearsal at the Methodist church at 1600 Orange Ave, Winter Park, FL. I was invited to the rehearsal by Candy Dawson, a member of the cast. This was a fun original production written by members of the cast. If you don’t know, Betsy Ross was the woman who sewed the first American Flag. With that historical background, it was clear that this would be a patriotic production mixed with pop cultural references that would ring true with the Baby Boom generation. I am a baby boomer so it hit my funny bone hard.

As with many rehearsals, it felt like the director and stage manager were not entirely sure that all the pieces could fall in place in time for opening night. There is a certain magic that happens on opening night where any doubts disappear and the production happens without a glitch. Of course all in the cast are award of the subtle details that most members of an audience are oblivious to.

When I got to the church the doors were locked but luckily a father who was dropping off a child for the church school let me in and I happened across the church auditorium. All the actors were in the back of the auditorium getting set up with microphones and making sure make up and costumes looked good.

One skit involved Whistler’s mother and I was told the actress was well over 80 years old. She was a fire cracker and held her own acting in the part.  Though Betsy Ross acted as the host for the variety show each act was unique and hilarious. Being a small community production, everyone was excited but also relaxed since the stakes were not too high. Everyone just had fun and it showed.

Candy Dawson was playing the part of Lucille Ball and at first sight she clearly fit the part. She was getting help with her hair as she welcomed me to the rehearsal. Candy was also the author of one of the bits in the show and I was impressed.

The rehearsal was a good run through of the show with only a few pauses. Everyone seemed well rehearsed and they all knew their lines. It was great to sketch the rehearsal, but it would have been nice to see how the jokes landed with a live audience. I have no doubt that the auditorium was alight with laughter during the shows run.

Brooklyn’s Pizzaria and Italian Restaurant

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Brooklyn’s Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant (27405 US Highway 27, Leesburg, Florida) has to be the most sketched Pizza joints in Lake County Florida. When my food supply would run out I would head out one night to Brooklyn Pizza for some spaghetti or a small pizza pie. Both options offered comfort food before my next grocery run.

On this pizza run there was an older couple seated in the corner which offered my only hope for some figurative drawing. On past outings to Brooklyn Pizza there has been a large group of retirees from the Villages who would sit at the center tables and chat while waiting for their large orders to arrive. On this evening I arrived early before any major crowd.

In the corner of the room was the waitress station. In that corner they would talk and compare notes. That is where the soda machine is and the waitresses were always generous with the cup refills. Returning to a restaurant or venue time and again offers a chance to get to feel the ebb and flow of a place.  It would be nice to return to sketch the kitchen and back counter areas. All these everyday mundane moments are what makes for great sketches.

After getting my sketch for the day, I always liked returning to my roommate who at this time was involved in a magnificent creative project. Being in a collaborative open studio was new and exciting.  I was working on posters for the Orlando Shakespeare Theater at the time, but that work was all done one my iPad while sitting on the couch. My studio situation, was the definition of being an artist being a couch potato.

Thornton Park Air B&B

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I stayed at a really nice Air B&B in Thornton Park while I was looking for an apartment to rent. It was in the top floor of a 3 story building with a balcony that overlooked Washington Street. There was a bar next door with a UCF banner and I liked hearing all the conversations.

All of my belongings were in a storage container in Lake County Florida. My hope was to find a place in Downtown Orlando. The problem of course was that most places downtown cost a fortune. I know of a place near the Day Building that costs $5000 a month. The building looks like an old Spanish fortress church with the bells removed frm the bell tower, which was refurnished. It has really tall ceilings but I bet the apartments are not that big otherwise. $5000 a month is insane.

The place I was staying in in Thornton Park was right on Washington Avenue a block away from the Falcon Bar and Gallery. I have sketched at the Falcon Bar rather often so I was pleased to be so close. I sketched my view looking towards Lake Eola at night. A small outdoor street festival had just shut down, and the tents were being broken down.

There was a pause in the activity and a family with a dog was talking to a vendor. One block from the Air B&B was a 7-11 which I went to several times for basic supplies. By basic supplies, I mean junk food of course and battery acid Mountain Dew. A Publix was a few more blocks away and I went shopping there for the week’s groceries.

In a few weeks I would be sketching shows at the Orlando International Fringe Festival. I needed a place that was a short distance from the festival since I planned to sketch like a Tasmanian devil. I tried to re-book this Thornton Park place but it had already been booked.

While here I was also looking for apartments. There was a place for rent across the street, so I called to take a look at the place. It was a single room apartment with a kitchen and bath. It had an upstairs attic with a skylight  and I thought maybe I could use it as a studio space. When I got inside I found that the attic ceiling was only 5 feet high at the peak of the roof. I had to duck just to walk down the length of the room. The room was completely unusable and could only function as storage. I don’t have many belongings but this place was waaaaay to small.

From this Thornton Park Air B&B I had to move to a place in Azalia Park. That place was on the landing approach to the Orlando International Airport and the morning planes flying over were an unpleasant window rattling racket. I took a map of Orlando and drew the areas that had the loudest airplane landing noises. That map became my plan for the places I absolutely refused to live.

Prior to moving out to lake County I lived at the Chatsworth Lane house and it was also on a plane landing pattern for the airport. I used to wear ear plugs every morning to try and drown out the noise.

I really loved my stay in Thornton Park. Home process were through the roof and the few rentals I looked at were either too small or too expensive. Finding a place in Downtown Orlando was proving to be a challenge.

Art And Autism

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I went to the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts to sketch and Art and Autism event which was to be held on the 2nd floor Tupperware Brands Hospitality Suites. I never did find the suites but I did find this huge ballroom tiger overlooking the Dr. Phillips lobby.

I often teach students with Autism virtually at Elite Animation Academy. I have to training on how to teach students with autism but I have discovered that infinite patience can win over most students. Several of my students with autism have fabulous large dreams and they would return time and again as we refined their visions with sketches.

One of my students was creating book with two characters. We spent one series of 10 classes working on character designs, then another series of 10 classes working on story panels then we followed up with several classes refining the story panels into a book format. He set the pace and ultimately, we had a finished product that only needed to have the illustrations completed. Out of the blue he passed away. I was hiking with a friend on the Appalachian trail at the time so I couldn’t get back for his funeral. His book and characters sit in limbo so close to being finished. This was such an unexpected gut punch.

Ligature Coffee

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Ligature Coffee (419 E Michigan St #4, Orlando, FL) was the site of an Urban Sketcher’s Orlando Coffee and Draw outing. Just short of a dozen sketchers enjoyed some coffee, sketching and conversation. Instead of drawing the coffee shop, I simply drew the sketchers. The blue touches of color from the coffee mugs played throughout the scene. The parking lot right in front of the shop negated any pastoral views while sipping the brew.

When we all completed our sketched we had a throw down on the long table of all our work. It is always fun to se the wide variety of styles. No two sketchers make marks the same way.

The coffee and draws are often in the mornings and that time slot tends to work best for me since other times I am often teaching virtual classes or off sketching at a theater rehearsal or event.

At the last sketch outing I expressed interest in bringing back my ODD sketching events which are held at bars or similar venues at night. I also have my finger on the pulse of many events which make great sketch opportunities. Now that I live in Downtown Orlando I think I should dip my toe into inviting other artists to join me on sketch outings.

Bear Hugs

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October 17, 2026 was the Come Out with Pride Parade in Orlando Florida. Stella P. Alberaéz Tascón had the thought to have the 14-foot Trump Puppet in an Orange Jump Suit in Lake Eola Park during the parade. We walked the route around the park and found that there were many spots where a 14-foot-tall puppet would have difficulty navigating.

She switched gears and decided to finish a puppet she had started which was a life sized bear. She already had the head made along with the paws and boots. There were only a few days left before the parade and she would have to sew a shirt, pants and the inner suit for the character.

She worked all night to complete some of the tasks needed. On the day of the parade she was still sewing the pants and shirt. She was working right until the moment the parade started. It was an incredible superhuman push to get the Pride Bear completed.

I was assigned to complete the HUGS and FREE LOVE sign. I used a painter’s pole to hold up a large heart. Stella managed to cover the pole with brilliant rainbow fabric and added fringe all around the heart. The pole could be expanded to elevate the sign high above the crowd. When we made our way into the park, security had a long discussion as to whether they should allow the sign in. Maybe they thought the pole could be used as a weapon. Ultimately the security officer waved us in.

Stella added a rainbow bow tie on the bear and had pompoms and strings of tiny battery powered lights. I carried a hip pack which held two Smart bottles of water and I hooked up a tube system which would allow Stella to drink without taking her bear head off. I was pleased that my water supply system worked.

We walked down the block towards Lake Eola and found a location at the end of the street with no security fencing. The Pride Bear danced to the music on every float. Stella was an absolute star during the parade. When parade dancers saw the bear they had to come over for a hug. The Pride Bear must have given out hundreds of hugs.

Stella could not see straight ahead of her because of the bear muzzle. I had to shout out “Bear Hug straight ahead” any time someone approached for a hug. Stella had an adorable way of shuffling her feet in excitement and opening and closing her paws which invited people to come in for the hug. Everyone adored her. Several people cried while hugging the bear. Several said that The Pride Bear gave the best hugs ever.

After the parade we made our way to the dance floor where the Pride Bear gave even more FREE hugs. Huggy danced for hours right until it was time for the fireworks over Lake Eola. Even as the fireworks went off the bear stayed in character looking on with amazement and joy.

I felt so much joy helping make the moment happen. I brought my art bag but there was never a moment where I could sketch. Both hands were needed to keep the sign vertical and clear of hitting anyone. When I danced I was essentially doing a tango with the sign pole. I felt like Fed Astaire dancing with the pole, but I probably looked more like Pewee Herman.

On young man said to me, “You remind me of my father.” I responded, “Does your father attend Pride?” He said, “No, my father hates me.” The Pride Bear gave the fellow a long hug.  A dancer soared high above the dancing crowd on top of flowing light fabric. I am not sure how the device worked but it looked like pure magic. Blue Star was on stage as a DJ and her dance troupe was performing both on stage and close to the crowd.

The Pride Bear gave away more hugs than we ever imagined he would. Stella had her website URL as a bar cove on the bear’s butt and hopefully some people scanned her butt. Several guys had too much to drink and leaned in with all their weight when hugging. Thankfully I never had to intervene. Huggy never spoke but communicated with pantomime. The whole night was magical.

The next day Stella and I started looking for photos online of people hugging the bear. Stella’s search for “Pride Bar Hugs” resulted in lots of photos of large muscular and very hairy men hugging. Her adorable costume had tapped into a sub culture she wasn’t aware of before. I did find a Tic Tok video and a few photos but I really should have been taking photos of every hug that the Pride Bear gave out that day. As Stella put it, “If a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, did it really fall?” The Pride Bear twerked his way into many an Orlando heard and the hugs were plentiful. Some things do not need to be quantified.

DTO Live at City Arts Factory

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On April 7, 2026 I went to City Arts Factory to sketch. Johanna Lung who was performing on the little stage set up in the ground floor café. Coffee, wine and beer can be found at the bar. I was staying at a Thornton Park Air B&B but would have to find a new one for the following week. I wanted to be settled for when Fringe was set up in May so I planned to find an extended stay.

Johanna was performing as part of DTO Live which was set up by the City to offer performing artists opportunities to play while being paid by the city. Joanna Lung is a saxophonist based in Central Florida who plays jazz, pop, and more. She graduated from the UCF School of Performing Arts in 2024, and was winner of the 2023 UCF Concerto Competition, as well as runner-up for the 2023 UCF Performance Excellence Award. She plays throughout Central Florida both as a solo act and with her jazz trio, The Jazz Witnesses.

I always feel a little sad when performers seem to be ignored by an audience that is more focused on their laptops than the music. Of course I was looking at my sketchbook so I was just as guilty. I tend to hyper focus while sketching and the very act of placing lines and washes on paper helps me enjoy the music even more. Jazz in particular inspires me to let the lines dance on the page.

When I completed the sketch, I wandered upstairs to view al the art on display. There is always a large group show going on upstairs. I am guaranteed to see a variety of styles and levels of talent. I wish that large space cold be used to hang a more comprehensive solo show. I like seeing images in sequence all with a similar theme and focus. The great news is that hanging fees have been waved since Orlando Health has funded the expense.

Anything but ICE Job Fair

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On May 30, I went to the ICE Offices (9495 Delegates Drive Orlando Florida) to sketch the Anything but ICE Job Fair. I did a drive by and found a few people gathered outside the heavily fortified warehouse facility. Finding parking was a challenge but I found what looked like legal parking on a side street nearby. I had a thought that officers would most certainly be scouting around the area looking for any infraction to ticket protestors.

A friend had informed me of these protests. The goal of the Job Fair was to convince any ICE officers within ear shot to stop working for an administration that believes it is above the law and for any ice staff to “Leave by example.”

Orlando citizens who are detained are taken to this facility and then transferred to other facilities. There is a time limit on how long a person can be held without legal representation at the Orlando Sub-Field Office. According to a report, between July 17, 2025, and Jan. 18, 2026, the facility confined 79 detainees in the small metal enclosures. They were held for periods of time ranging from several minutes to just shy of two hours. It was “a practice unlike any U.S. Department of Health and Human Services team has observed in ICE facilities.” Detainees in immigrant detention facilities in Orlando are living in extremely overcrowded cells, using bathrooms overflowing with waste, and sleeping chained on the floor, according to a whistleblower report first reported by the Miami Herald.

In the parking lot of the ICE facility behind the there was a blue SUV with ICE emblazoned on it’s side.  A STOP sign stood before the loading bay door.

Protestors used megaphones to shout out job listings that might appeal to the ICE staff inside. One woman kept shouting that mom would not be pleased. There were also kind offers for food and drink should any staff want to come outside to talk. No officer ever appeared. The folks in the loading bay could certainly hear the job listings being offered. Some jobs offered a little less pay but it would be a small compensation to work for a company that doesn’t present endless guilt.

These protests are ongoing and I will likely return to see if reason can be presented to people who sanction hate and profiling in a well-funded organization that is being treated like the personal militia of a dictator. The end goal isn’t to make America great, but to stay in office with force if necessary.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) offered up to $50,000 in signing bonuses split over three years, plus up to $60,000 in student loan repayment and forgiveness, on top of a base salary ranging from $49,739 to $89,528 a year DHS placed an asterisk on the $50,000 figure in its own recruitment materials without clearly explaining the terms. Only retired employees returning to the job are eligible for the full $50,000 bonus, and that it comes in $10,000 installments rather than a lump sum.

More than 20,600 people were arrested by ICE in Florida from Jan. 20 to Oct 15, 2025, with 24% having no criminal record. Government data was provided by ICE in response to a Freedom of Information Act request to the Deportation Data Project and analyzed by WUSF Public Media, an NPR station in Tampa Florida.

“Uncle Lou”, a longtime Orlando music venue owner and community figure behind Uncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall was arrested and detained in May 2026. Uncle Lou’s Entertainment Hall was a venue that supported and helped launch the music careers of many local musicians. The news shocked Orlando’s music and arts community, which rallied around him during his detention. A Go Fund me raised over $60,000 to help Lou in his move to Jamaca.

Uncle Lou was charged with serving alcohol to a minor agent. He was booked into Orange County jail under an ICE detainer and held for nearly 10 days before being transferred to the Baker County Detention Center in Macclenny, north of Orlando. The case was ultimately a misdemeanor, but the deportation was the result of the ICE hold, a denied bond, and his own decision to self-deport to Jamaica. The popular music venue now sits silent.