Show is open through April 11, 2014. Gallery hours: Thursday-Saturday, 11AM – 4 PM, and by appointement.
Weekend Top 6 Picks
One last reminder, TONIGHT is the Opening Reception for “A Certain Point of View“, a retrospective exhibit of sketches done by me of the Orlando arts and culture scene. The opening is at Snap Space in the historic Cameo Theater (1013 E. Colonial Drive Orlando FL) from 7pm to 10pm. The show remains up through April 17th. If you can’t make it to the opening then stop by on the weekend. Gallery hours are Thursday-Saturday, 11AM – 4 PM, and by appointement.
Saturday March 22, 2014
Noon to 6pm Free. Art in the Park 2. Dickson Azalea Park 100 Rosegarden Drive, Orlando, Fl. Rain or Shine artists gathering to create in nature, in public.
not a vending opportunity. Time to play, and hang out, and talk about ideas.
8:30am to 6pm Mega Con. March 21-23 $25 one day wrist band. Orange County Convention Center, North Building, Universal Boulevard, Orlando, FL. Comic book convention.
6pm to 8pm Free. An Evening with Artist in Residence 3 Elysia Mann. Maitland Art Center 231 Packwood Ave. Maitland FL. Elysia will discuss her work and process.
Sunday March 23, 2014
1pm to 3pm Free, just order something. Irish Music. Olivia’s Coffee House, 108 North Bay Street, Eustis, FL. http://www.oliviascoffeehouse.com/
2pm to 4pm Free. Jake Fernandez La Finca de Parchman performance piece. Maitland Art Center, 231 Packwood Avenue West, Maitland, FL. Seven Days and Sixteen Hours at Parchman Farm,” this piece explores
isolation, and what happens to the creative process when the artist is
isolated from all personal interaction. Fernandez will work in a
secluded studio space on the Art and History campus. The studio has no windows;
only bathroom facilities and a cot for sleeping. Fernandez will be
provided with rag drawing paper, water, dried food, a blanket and
pillow. This alternative space will include a closed-circuit camera, so
the process can be observed at http://www.ArtandHistory.org
4:30pm to 6:30pm $12. Roller Derby OADR vs. Thunder City Derby Sirens.Universal Skating Center 866 S. Goldenrod Road, Orlando, Fl. Come watch the women of Orlando Area Derby Revolution take on the ladies of the Thunder City Derby Sirens. New season, new venue, same hard-hitting derby action!
An Evening with Rebecca Rose ‘Sculpturings’
On January 30th, Rebecca Rose gave a talk about her creative process at Snap (1013 East Colonial Drive, Orlando FL). Rebecca is a bit of a hoarder. She collects anything small and representational. She has entire drawers full of these tiny trinkets from a Lilliputian world. She used to be a painter, but an elective class in jewelry making changed that. In one assignment for class she re-imagined what a ring should look like. Her teacher was astonished and he asked her where her inspiration came from. She knew she was onto something.
She had to take a long hiatus from making jewelry however, because she didn’t have the necessary equipment. She spent several years selling paintings until she could afford the needed furnace, molding equipment and other tools of the trade. A documentary was shot that shows every step of her creative process which is part art, science and alchemy. From the first sketch to the finished piece cast in pure silver, she spend endless hours devoted to her craft.
‘Sculpturings’ are beautifully created pieces redefined beyond
their traditional sense, each piece with unique form and story. The
pieces blend luxury with urban activism relevant to current social
issues. Rebecca sketches, assembles, carves, invests, kiln fires, and
casts her own work in her home studio. Rebecca’s work was exhibited at
Select Fair in Art Basel Miami, Beijing Museum of Contemporary Art, and
the Spoke Art Gallery in San Francisco. Last year she was the Halstead
Grant winner. In March, he work will appear in two gallery shows: “In Dreams: A Tribute to the Films of David Lynch”, at the Spoke Art Gallery, in San Francisco, CA, and “The Season of Spring”, at the Flower Pepper Gallery, Curated by Daniel Rolnik, in Pasadena, CA.
Her rings are both art and jewelry. Each comes in a specially prepared bell jar for display when not being worn. She often leaves a magnifying glass near the display case so people can truly appreciate the intricacy in her designs. She was recently commissioned to create a ring commemorating the Winter Olympics. The prices on the pieces on display in January and February were extremely affordable. Considering their popularity, those prices are sure to go up soon. It was such a pleasure to meet an artist who loves what she does and was willing to share every step of the process. I hope to visit her studio to sketch her in action someday soon.
Mark your Calendar! My work is now hanging on these walls and I hope you come out to the opening on March 21st from 7pm to 10pm at the Cameo Theater (1013 East Colonial Drive Orlando FL).
Snap!
I stopped by Snap (Cameo Theater, 1013 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, Fl ) on the day before my retrospective exhibit went up. The gallery was open till 4pm. Emily Jordan and Diana Rodriguez were working as interns at the front desk. This was the last day that “Flight” was on display. As I sketched the last of the arts patrons explored the gallery. Three pieces of drywall proclaimed the gallery’s mission statement: Contemporary, Creative and Spontaneous. Patrick Kahn, the gallery’s founder had to step out.
Diana’s son, Josiah Portillo, stopped in and hung out for a while. As he and Diana talked, he decided to water the potted orchid on the reception desk with his bottled water. He then headed out to hang with some friends in the park. Diana offered him some money in case he wanted a snack but he said he would be fine.
I discovered later from Holly Kahn, that the lamp on the reception desk was from her son Luke‘s room. Emily and Diana were chatting and getting to know each other. Emily is a photographer who takes society shots for a local magazine. Diana is an actress and avid supporter of the arts. When she discovered that Emily had never been to the Fringe, she excitedly explained what the Fringe is all about. Diana suddenly shrieked and stood up. A large puddle had mysteriously formed and was spreading across the table. They both quickly removed books, paper and art. The potted orchid was leaking. Diana put the potted plant on the floor as they mopped up the spill. “How much water did Josiah put in this plant?” Diana said. On the floor the plant was still gushing out water.
Disaster was averted since the angle of the table made the puddle flow away from the art and papers on the desk. Just when things returned to normal, Patrick came back and the women were free to go home. Diana told me about a dress rehearsal for “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” by Tennessee Williams, which I will be sketching next week. Patrick explained to me that she is one of the most active supporter of the arts that he knows.
Mark your calendar and come on out to the opening of my retrospective showing of sketches of Orlando on March 21st from 7pm to 10pm at the Cameo Theater (1013 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, Fl). The show will remain open through April 17th.
Changing of the Art
A retrospective exhibit of the sketches I have done in Orlando will be opening on March 21st from 7pm to 10pm at Snap in the historic Cameo Theater (1013 E. Colonial Drive Orlando FL). I stopped by Snap on the final day of Flight, a group show of photographers and other artists. At 4pm the gallery closed and Patrick Kahn popped the first labels off the walls. He explained that this moment was always a bit sad, like the circus leaving town, but when the walls are bare again, his excitement builds. Its like when you open your sketchbook and are faces with a white page. There are so many possibilities.
The two interns, Emily Jordan, and Diana Rodriguez, who were at the front desk, left at 4pm and then Patrick’s wife Holly arrived with their two children, Luke and Juliet. Juliet saw my open sketchbook on the floor and she crouched down to look. “You drew that right now?” When I said “Yes”, she stood and shook my hand with enthusiasm. I was surprised by her adult politeness and respect. Holly had put on blue surgeons gloves and she flipped through the sketchbook to let her kids see. Their enthusiasm was the best affirmation that I’ve felt in a long time. They have grown up around art thanks to their parents. Holly told me that Patrick used to keep sketchbook journals as a child. He passed on this tradition to his children and apparently Luke has displayed some unique talent in his journal. No wonder the kids loved seeing my sketchbooks.
The large photos were quickly but delicately removed from the walls and packed away. Holly helped Patrick and Vince Santilli at every step while Luke and Juliet worked at their computers, but Luke became impatient. “Mom, when can we go!” he shouted. The question was repeated multiple times until Holly decided to recruit him to do some of the work. She gave him a drill and let him assist in removing some of the screws in the masonry. He climbed the ladder and she climbed up behind him to be sure he didn’t fall and to help with the heavy drill. This was serious “man’s work” and Luke loved it.
When it came time for the kids to go home, Luke shouted out, “Dad, we are proud of you!” Holly, next to me raised her hand to her chest and sighed. “It’s moments like this when you realize it is all worth it.” she said. It was heart warming to see this family working together to make a dream become reality. The next day, my sketches would go up on these walls.
Cardboard Art Festival
On Friday January 24th, I went to TheDailyCity.com Cardboard Art Festival at The Orange Studio, (1121 N. Mills Ave., Orlando, FL.) This was the second year of the Festival and it was bigger and better than ever. The first thing I explored was an interactive wall by Nathan Selikoff. Cardboard tube gutters could be re-arranged on a pegboard to create a gravity maze for colorful wiffle balls. A large cardboard funnel at the top of the wall was always the starting point and it was high enough so you always had to throw the ball up. I missed the shot more than a few times and had to scramble as the ball rolled around on the floor.
Evan and Christie Miga created a huge storybook interactive display that told of an adventure using a series of dioramas and sculptures. There was a large cardboard octopus and a girl riding an immense bird. The wings could be flapped by turning a delicate crank. A moving street scene was depicted in one diorama that had a magnifying lens to amplify the view as you traveled down the street. The illusion was complete when you turned a cardboard tube that represented the street. There was even a Zoetrope that used a cardboard tube with slits in it that when spun, created the illusion of motion from a series of images inside the tube.
Doug Rhodehamel had a large collection of small cardboard robots on display. Nicki Equality Drumb and Rachel Equality Gardner had blue and pink male and female stand up photo ops set up with equality hearts. With supplemental blue mustaches and pink ribbons, everyone wanted their picture taken. Beautiful women wearing couture cardboard dresses strutted through the crowd. John Glassman Gardner was taking pictures of people that he then pasted in the windows of cardboard skyscrapers. Jeff Ferree created four foot tall Gumby like cardboard creatures that were quirky and brightly colored. It was a fun colorful show and once people started drinking and dancing, the place lit up. If you didn’t go, you missed a hell of a good time.
Couples Cooking Class
Kristen Manieri, of Great Dates Orlando, invited me to sketch a couples cooking class held in the demonstration kitchen above East End Market, (3201 Corrine Dr. Orlando, FL.) I arrived about an hour early to sketch in the layout of the kitchen before the couples arrived. The demonstration was completely sold out. The $120 class fee per couple included utensils, recipes, ingredients
and sit-down dinner for two, but BYOS (bring your own spirits).
Jes Tantalo, East End Market’s Chef-in-Residence, was busy with preperations when Terry and I arrived. Terry went to explore East End Market and then Stardust Video and Coffee while I sketched. We planned to go to Drip on International Drive after my sketch was done. Kristen helped out by making recipe cards for the guests before they arrived. Her iPhone was used to fill the room with romantic Italian music. A large banquet table filled the dining room next to the kitchen. Fresh flowers from the extensive gardens downstairs were put on the table as centerpieces.
The first order of business was to have all the couples create flat bread appetizer perfect for
noshing on while everyone sipped wine and dove into the menu sourced almost
entirely from East End’s gourmet purveyors downstairs. Everyone crowded around the counter that separated the kitchen and dining area. Each couple took some flat bread and spread goat cheese on it, sprinkled some olive oil and then cracked open a tiny dime sized quail egg on top. Fresh arugula, again from the garden downstairs was added as a garish along with a pinch of salt and pepper. One fellow put a mountain of arugula on his flat bread and he was playfully scolded by the other couples. There was plenty of camaraderie and laughter as everyone worked.
The main dish was Poussin, or baby chickens, for each person. All that was required was some seasoning before they were put in the ovens. The flat bread appetizers were done in a flash and then all the couples sat at the table sipping wine and talking. In the kitchen, Jes was still busy cooking fresh local vegetables marinated in Whisky. One adventurous guest was put in charge of cutting up a football sized turnip. I had to close my eyes when he struggled with the first loud slice. Fox 35 News reporter Jackie Orozco introduced herself. She was intrigued by my daily sketch journalism and is considering the idea of reporting about what I do. With the retrospective exhibit coming up, her timing couldn’t be better.
Terry stopped back. I hadn’t started adding color yet. This was a more challenging sketch than usual with so many people crowded in the foreground. When she left I sketched faster. I left before the Poussin came out of the oven. I rushed out to catch up for my own date night, but I was to late. She got a taxi to take her to International Drive to see Drip perform a show with black lights. Perhaps I should have abandoned the sketch. A better person would have done that. As I drove home alone, I realized I was extremely hungry. I hadn’t eaten all day except for tasting one of the flat bread appetizers Kristen had offered me. I pulled into a Subway and ordered a Flatizza which is sort of a flat bread pizza. It wasn’t very exotic, but it filled me up for the moment. Much later I picked Terry up from Drip. Apparently it had been an amazing show. She was soaking wet and covered in paint.
Mark Your Calendar! The next Couples Cooking Class is April 12 from 7pm to 9:30pm at East End Market.
No More Drunken Monkey
I stopped off at the Drunken Monkey, (444 N Bumby Ave, Orlando, FL.) to meet Terry before heading to a party at Matt Rankin‘s house which was right down the street. The party was for Amanda and Matt Simantov who had just been married. Matt explained that the celebration was known as Ma’sshe Kanut. Ma’shhe Kanut is a Jewish Custom where friends wish the Bride and Groom Farewell before they returned home to their Seattle homeland.
A Traditional Ma’sshe Kanut is held at the friend of the bride. Ancient Rabbinic Law mandates a Fire to burn from the beginning of Ma’sshe Kanut (1 hour after sundown) until the last guest takes a hint that everyone wants to go to bed. If this is your first Ma’sshe Kanut, it is customary to bring Kosher Yuengling, Kosher Doritos, or Kosher something everyone will like.
Terry was running a little late, so I figured I had enough time to dash off a quick sketch over a cup of coffee. As always people sat transfixed, staring at computer screens, but who am I to talk. I’m staring at a computer screen right now. Jessica Pauli who is a band promoter was having a meeting at the next table over. All that I overheard is that the venue being discussed had a large comfortable green room. I wonder if I had sketched in that greenroom?
Terry arrived as the last watercolor washes were drying. We walked together down to Matt’s house. Matt was in the backyard nursing the fire pit. It was a cold night so I rotated periodically like a pig on a spit. Chairs circled the fire and soon everyone arrived. Marshmallows were roasted on sticks. I had a stick with multiple branches but I only roasted one marshmallow. Brian Feldman had come from Washington D.C. to witness the wedding and after this fireside chat, Amanda and Matt would fly off to Washington State.
It was toward the end of the evening when I discovered that there is no such thing as a Ma’ssh Kanut. Matt had made up the word. That didn’t detract from the warmth and fellowship of the fire. I no longer go to Drunken Monkey since they used one of my sketches without consulting me on their Internet welcome page. I usually support local businesses but I can’t support theft.
Weekend Top 6 Picks
Saturday March 15, 2014
1pm to 4pm Free. Family Days at the Museum. Maitland Art Museum 231 Packwood Ave W, Maitland, FL. Interactive garden sculpture party with Artists in Action. 2pm Screening of Herb & Dorothy 50X50 film.
2pm to 4pm Free. Train Shots Book Release Party. The official book release party for TRAIN SHOTS, by central Florida’s own Vanessa Blakeslee, presented by Burrow Press and the Urban Think Foundation. Event begins at two. Brief reading and Q&A with author at 2:30 p.m., followed by debut screening of TRAIN SHOTS book trailer, produced by Laputka Films, and book signing. http://burrowpress.com/train-shots
3pm to 5pm Free. Acme’s Urban Toy Art Show. Acme Superstore 905 E. SR 434, Longwood, FL. Art show featuring custom toys, art dolls, designer vinyls with family-friendly activities, face-painting, glitter tattoos, vendors, local professional artists, amateur artists, and student artwork from Millennium Middle School! Custom vinyl and art doll workshops and demos throughout the day! Pam Murray will be doing a demo session from 3pm-5pm working on an assortment of various custom items, while fielding questions and showing techniques on both vinyl pieces and model kits. Followed by the official reception for Millennium Middle School students from 5pm-7pm.
Sunday March 16, 2014
1pm to 3pm Free. Yoga. Every week. Lake Eola near the pagoda.
9pm-11pm Free. Solo Acoustic Spoken Word. Natura Coffee & Tea, 12078 Collegiate Way, Orlando, FL. 407 482-5000.
9pm to 11pm Free. Comedy Open Mic. Austin’s Coffee: 929 W Fairbanks Ave Winter Park, FL. Free comedy show! Come out & laugh, or give it a try yourself.
Utility Box Art
While driving home from Sam Flax, I noticed this artist painting a utility box in the Mills 50 District. From an article I read, I know that artists are paid $200 to paint a box. That might be enough money to pay for the paint and brushes. This artist was smart since he had a festival tent which kept him out of the scorching Florida sun. He had to maneuver around all the tax refund and foreclosed home signs. He had painted this box once before, but it was taken down when a new 7-11 was constructed on the site.
The weekend before, the auto air conditioning shop across the street caught on fire. He kept painting as fire trucks showed up on the scene. His box depicts urban buildings at odd angles and a single puppy on each panel. You can’t go wrong with painting cute puppies. The box is on the corner of North Ferncreek Avenue and Colonial Drive. Grab a 99 cent big gulp at the 7-11 if you stop by, or glance quickly to the right up Ferncreek if you are driving west on Colonial at 50 miles an hour.
I can’t believe I didn’t write the artists name on the sketch. I did write it in a notebook, but for the life of me, I can’t find it. If you know this artist’s work, please let me know. I might have to drive by and see if the finished box is signed.