Bastille Day in Audubon Park was a grey day for a beheading.

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Bastille Day is a celebration of the victorious French Revolution. On July 12th the Audubon Park Garden District hosted a Bastille Day Festival at 1603 Winter Park Road, which turned out to be a church. As Terry and I arrived, it was starting to drizzle. The weather didn’t stop Marie Antoinette from posing for photos and signing autographs. Another photo opportunity was a well oiled guillotine. Anyone could stick their neck out for a photo if they dared. I stood in the entry vestibule of the church to keep my sketch out of the rain.

A small outdoor market  featured Bamapana Vintage, Lady Day Vintage, Whisk and Bowl, The Crepe Company, La Femme du Fromage, The Yum Yum Truck, OhLaLa Petanque Club, and Olde Hearth Bread Company. Inside the church courtyard there was a wine and cheese tasting going on but this was a ticketed event that Terry and I hadn’t signed up for. I pressed my nose up to the window to see that the tasting room was packed. The courtyard also had some french themed art and a game of pin the hat on Napoleon. No one was playing the game, so I wasn’t tempted to sketch. The guillotine was moved out of the rain into the covered courtyard and I followed it to complete my sketch. Who would have the nerve to move a guillotine during a public execution?  It turned out that a photographer was in charge and he snapped photos of anyone willing to kneel down. I’m still convinced that those picture boxes are a passing fad. There was supposed to be baguette fencing but I never witnessed it.

Fiddler’s Green was a great spot for Geof Benge’s Birthday Celebration.

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Geoff Benge celebrated his birthday with family and friends at Fiddler’s Green (544 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL). Geoff and his wife Janet, both from New Zealand,  are co-authors of 68 biographies of famous historical figures, with over 3 million copies sold worldwide. Their latest book, Triumph- the Extraordinary Life of Louis Zamparini, is timed perfectly to engage young readers prior to the Christmas Day release of Unbroken, a movie of his life directed by Angelina Jolie.

Before the party, I sketched the regular patrons at the bar. The heated discussion was all about soccer. Once Geoff and Janet arrived, I joined them in the back room. Guinness flowed and conversations turned to literature.  Friends got up to toast Geoff. He is apparently known for being able to hold his liquor. On a trip with friends he had a liquor bottle. The group went on an exhausting hike and Geoff kept sipping from his bottle to every one’s amazement. He not only kept up with all the other hikers, but he was sure footed the whole way. It wasn’t until later, around the camp fire that everyone learned that his bottle was actually full of water.

The only time I drink Guinness is when there is chocolate cake to go with it. The sweet chocolate is fantastic to wash down with the thick dark beer. I was in bliss.

The Audubon Market has produce and a sense of community.

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Mondays in Orlando offer few event options. If I’m unable to find a sketchable event, I always go to the Audubon Garden District Community Market at Stardust Video and Coffee (1842 Winter Park Rd, Orlando, FL). Tents start to go up in the Stardust parking lot as the sun sets. I like to order a drink at Stardust and sit back to watch all the activity.

On this Monday, I sketched the Stardust patrons who were soaking in the atmosphere. The market always has a live performer which also makes it the perfect spot to sketch. Produce and products are locally grown and crafted which make the market a healthy shopping option. When I order something to eat, I know that at least I ate one healthy meal for the week. With East End Market just a few blocks away there is no reason not to eat a healthy balanced diet all week, but as an artist on the run, I tend to only eat processed fast food before doing most sketches. Maybe a better diet could result in better sketches.

I’ve sketched a number of vegetarian and Vegan themed events and have seen and heard the merits of not eating meat, yet I haven’t yet followed up with a commitment to change my eating habits. It is hard to teach this old dog how to improve his diet. Eating is a quick necessity that I don’t think much about. I function primarily on caffeine and sugar. Perhaps that is why my sketches pen Iines are so shaky and nervous. Healthy living courses seem like such a luxury, yet im probably not functioning at 100%. Aching bones tend to be a distraction when getting lost in the creative process. Perhaps someday I’ll change.

Parrot Adventures grants a girls wish.

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 About once a month, Parrot Adventures meets at Albert Park in College Park. This particular meeting was special because the Make a Wish Foundation was granting a young girls wish to be surrounded by parrots. It turned out to be a rainy day but that didn’t stop the birds and their owners from coming out. Everyone crowded under a small gazebo to stay out of the rain. I huddled under an umbrella sitting on a picnic table to get the sketch done. Some rain blew in, exploding the pigments already on the sketch.

Someone had made bird shaped cookies, and the little girl got to meet every single bird. I was afraid that Zorro, Terry and my Cockatoo, might bite the girl, but even he was on his best behavior.  Since it was raining, we all went across the street to Graffiti Junktion for lunch. The front patio was covered, so the girl continued to meet birds all through lunch. Terry and I like to take Zorro out once a month to help him be more sociable around other people. On a number of occasions, blood was spilled, but parrot owners are rather forgiving.

Mark Your Calendar! The next “Parrot Adventures” club event is scheduled for 11am to 2pm on December 14, 2014 at Albert Park. The address is 2400 Edgewater Drive, Orlando, FL.

Mysty Forest Becomes an Animation Studio

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Travis Blaise, a former Disney Animator offered a class at Misty Forest (N Hyer Ave, Orlando, FL) which had the students working towards completing an animated short. The story was called “Rosalie and the Bottle Tree“. A bottle tree is simply empty bottles put on the end of tree limbs and a bottle tree can bring good fortune. The narration was complete and the children’s drawings were used as the story boards.

What Misty Forest lacked in terms of cameras and light tables, it made up in the children’s enthusiasm. I don’t believe the film was ever completed, but the kids had a great time getting to collaborate on  what might one day become an inspired little film. All it takes is on determined soul to reignite the spark and take on the Herculean task of finishing the animation.

The Crucible never gets old.

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The Crucible by Arthur Miller cemented his reputation as a major playwright at a very early age. It deals with the Salem witch hunts and was used as a parable to mirror the McCarthy communist witch hunts in the 60s. As my first sketch opportunity after returning from Australia, I went to Lake Minneola High School (101 North Hancock Rd Minneola Fl) to see a run through of this student production being produced and directed by Kaitlin Elizabeth Baxter.

The school seemed like a fortress or prison as I approached at night. Tall fences surrounded the entire school and a locked gate blocked me from parking near the performing Arts building. I must have grown up in much more innocent times.  I circled back and drove around the school looking for an gap in the fence. I found an opening on the opposite side of the school and parked near the bus loading zone. The gates to the school inner compound were unlocked, and I asked a student to point me towards the Performing Arts Building. Kaitlin had left one of the lobby doors open.

In the theater, the run through was already in progress. As my eyes adjusted to the dark, Kaitlin welcomed me. I found a spot up front and started to sketch. John Proctor, (Daniel Santos) and his wife Elizabeth (Briana Barnett) felt that their marriage was under attack by Abigail (Bella Martinez) who was accusing Elizabeth of witchcraft so she could have John to herself. John had an affair with Abigail but wanted to stay true to his wife. At the witch trial Abigail screams in horror and points at an unseen menace. All the young girls follow her lead and join in the hysteria which mystifies and spooks the religious court. There is something truely terrifying about a group of girls acting together as a pack.

There were several long awkward pauses in the second act in the midst of an argument on stage. Even a short pause can feel like an eternity as an actor searches for a line. In a high school lab, I was once asked by a theater teacher to pretend I was on a boat leaving port and my loved ones were on the dock. It was a fun acting exercise that I embraced and enjoyed, and I suppose he wanted to see if I had what it takes to be an actor. I was already addicted to sketching, so I didn’t go on stage. I admire anyone who is brave enough to stand in front of an audience. As an artist, I never actually see the people who view my work. They are filtered behind the curtain of the Internet. As a senior in high school, I partied with the theater students. It was a fun boysterous group to be with and I suppose they fueled my need to always stand on the sidelines to watch the magic and hard work of theater. It is possible that a student in this production might find they to could become addicted to the siren’s call of theater. It is a calling that can last a lifetime.


The Crucible

Where: Lake Minneola High School -Performing Arts Building 101 North Hancock Rd Minneola Fl
When: Nov. 15th at 7pm -Doors open at 6: 30pm
Tickets: $5 for Students & Seniors $7 for Adults
-Purchase at the Door
-Reservations: Email BaxterK@lake.k12.fl.us or call 352-394-9600 ex: 5168

Weekend Top 6 Picks for November 15th and 16th.

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Saturday November 15, 2014

9am to 3pm Free. Orlando Elks Vintage Faire. Elk Lodge 1079 12 N Primrose Drive Orlando FL. Antiques.

1pm to 3pm Free. Family Days at the Maitland Museum. Maitland Art Center, 231 Packwood Avenue West, Maitland, FL. Gather your family for an afternoon of quality time together at the A&H’s Family Days at the Museum! Our first program is held this Saturday, June 16 at 1:00 PM at the A&H’s Maitland Art Center. Family Days at the Museum is held on the 3rd Saturday of every month, and each program is held in a different location within the A&H Museums. Join us for this afternoon of family fun!

6pm to 8pm Free. Brewery Tour. Orlando Brewing, 1301 Atlanta Ave, Orlando, FL.

Sunday November 16, 2014.

3pm to 5pm Free. LECTURE | Eric Gottesman, Artist and organizer. The Cornell Fine Arts Museum at Rollins College. Fractured Narratives artist Eric Gottesman will speak about his works  in the exhibition, which were inspired by his exploration of the dissident Ethiopian novel Oromaye, written by Baalu Girma. Gottesman’s artistic practice focuses on collaboration and dialogue, using photography, writing and film as vehicles to engage others in conversation and critical thought about the social structures that surround them. Sponsored by the Thomas P. Johnson Scholar Fund.

5pm to 9pm Free but get some grub.  Food Truck Bazaar. Orlando Fashion Square, 3201 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL. http://www.thedailycity.com/2011/05/thedailycitycom-food-truck-bazaar.html

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.

All Things Rauncy and Risque Could Be Found at the Vagabond Art Party

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The Second Annual Vagabond Art Party was held in the Cameo Theater way back in May of 2010. Back then I was sketching so often that I often let sketches go unpublished as I got distracted with the newest events and sketching opportunities. It was billed as an amazing night of Art, Music and live Performances.
It was organized by Pergo who’s Art Army troops were quite busy honing their skills, developing concepts and creating unbelievable moments individually. They we come together, bringing all the inspiration, all the creative force from the Universe, for one night at The Cameo. The line-up was staggering in not only scope and talent, but in diversity of expression as well. Pergo is a colorful character who does speed paintings live at events. He has long flowing hair that at times he dips into the paint. I keep hoping I’ll catch a sketch of him someday.

Every half hour there was an amazing performance of light, sound and art set to rock your world. There was an

Interactive Art Community Mural, Body Art, Organic Light show, an Art Army Fashion show by Dechoes Vintage hosted by Jamesson,
Provocative Model, Tracy Spivey.
There was open mic, acoustic corner in the outside patio. A portion of the proceeds went to benefit the United Artists of Central Florida. The cover was $10 but I managed to smuggle myself inside at a working artist.

I focused on the art being painted live by Trevor and Nikki Divine that had a hint of the sensual with a flair of burlesque. There were pasties and corset for sale in  a Sexy expo by Blissful Lotus in case you ever want to get into that line of business. A couple worked on a large painting in black and white of a sensual dancer. The girl seated on the couch opposite me offered herself as the perfect model as she twisted to watch the artists at work.

Viet Garden is a Regular Haunt for It’s Pad Tai

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Anytime I find myself in the Mills-50 District prior to a show or a rehearsal, I stop into Viet Garden, 1237 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL, to order its consistently delicious Pad Tai. The service is quick and efficient and I suspect the staff recognize me since they always seat me at the same table with e view of the room. When they ask if I am ready to order, I think I caught a slight smile as the waiter waited for me to say Pad Tai. I get a Pad Tai and a Coke every time. I am a creature of habit and I know what I like.

The murals on the walls offer plenty for me to look at as I enjoy my meal. Clouds were quickly sponged into place and the architecture and figures were neatly placed.  A large tiger fills the hallway if you enter the restaurant from the rear door. Several times, while eating alone, people have recognized me and complimented my work. I couldn’t put a name to the faces which is a symptom of the loose connections I find when conversing on Facebook. I love when I can finally put 2 and 2 together and a virtual friend becomes real.

Jump Start your morning in Banff

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Every morning while staying in Banff, Terry and I would start our day at Jump Start Coffee (206 Buffalo St, Banff, Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada). This is a small coffee shop that is frequented by locals who order a cup of coffee and read the morning paper. Terry and I would order an egg sandwich or muffin and then some extra food to take out for lunch later in the day. The proprietress was pleasant so it made sense to, keep returning. The food was simple but good.

The view out the front window was of the town park and the history museum as well as the huge mountains. Some locals returned every morning and the coffee shop became a place to gossip[ and find out what was going on in town. It felt like a welcome relief from the endless tourist stores that tend to line the main street. The place felt much like the local places I return to often in Orlando whe I find some spare time between sketch opportunities.