Santa and the Angry Elves.

Posted on by Thor

The Feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated in parts of Europe on December 6th. On the preceding evening of December 5th, Krampus Night or Krampusnacht,
the wicked hairy devil appears on the streets. Sometimes accompanying
St. Nicholas and sometimes on his own, Krampus visits homes and
businesses. The Saint usually appears in the Eastern Rite vestments
of a bishop, and he carries a golden ceremonial staff. Unlike North
American versions of Santa Claus, in these celebrations Saint Nicholas
concerns himself only with the good children, while Krampus is
responsible for the bad. Nicholas dispenses gifts, while Krampus
supplies coal and bundles of sticks used as a whip.

 On Krampusnacht, I hosted ODD (Orlando Drink and Draw) at the Hammered Lamb (1235 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804). Santa and the Angry Elves were setting up on the main stage doing a sound check. My impression was that they would set up and then head home for a quick costume change. They disappeared and I didn’t see them again, so I finished the sketch without their festive costumes. A train rumbled by just inches behind the stage and then a bar maid came around with a tray full of shots. The 44 North Train shots are passed out free every time a free rumbled by. I must have had four shots during the course of making this sketch.

By the time Santa and the Angry Elves returned, I had done sketches of several Krampuses and a sketch of the Deviant Dolls sales booth. I was sketched out for the night. As Santa and the Angry Elves took to the stage, I was packing up my art supplies to go. Just as I was leaving several more Krampuses showed up. One was covered in white fur like a Yeti, and had extremely long horns. The Krampus costume contest was still to come,  and it would be a toss up between the white Yeti, Krampus, and the gorgeous long clawed Kampus in a wheel chair. I really should have stayed to sketch the both, but I was tired.

The Kessler Corporate Christmas Party.

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I was commissioned to sketch at the Kessler Corporate Christmas Party held in the Devos room in the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts (445 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL 32801). C’Nergy was the local band offering cover tunes for the evening. I arrived early entering the venue through the loading docks. My art supplies made it through security with no problem. The Devos room is on the third floor above the Center’s entry area. Glass walls surround the room on three sides offering an incredible view of the new plaza outside the Center. In June thousands gathered in that plaza to morn the loss of 49 of our own to gun violence. Candles flicked above the crowd. One glass wall slid open and I had to walk over to look. The green expanse of a lawn was now empty and silent. The sky was a deep ultramarine blue with flickering stars. A woman next to me said, “Don’t jump.” I laughed and joked that with my luck, I’d probably only break a leg. With that theater reference under my belt, I returned to my sketch.

Several Kessler Collection employees stopped to ask questions as I worked, it turns out I was on the program… “Experience the works of illustrator and journalist Thomas Thorspecken. He’s a talented local artist who sketches stories of Central Florida’s community daily in his popular blog.” I was surprised that the MC announced me as well and I waved as people turned to look at me. After the cocktail reception, everyone was invited to find a table so the party could get started. Mr Kessler was at the front table, but his table wasn’t full. Most of the other tables were full. The MC insisted that people move in closer to the stage. “We are going to have to do a training exercise if people don’t move closer, Mr. Kessler doesn’t bite.” Finally several couples moved to the front table.

 An executive in bright red shoes introduced a party game he devised. He wanted each table to come up with a fun reason why it is a unique experience to work for the Kessler Collection. Two of the tables on stage left got their submissions in right away. He got back up to the mic later in the evening to scold the other tables who hadn’t yet participated. After endless raffle prizes, he pointed out that there were only five raffle tickets unpicked and so he advised that “If your ticket wasn’t picked, you shouldn’t play the Lotto.”

 

Mr. Kessler got on stage. The big announcement was that the Plant Riverside development was underway in Savannah Georgia. The one time I visited Savannah, I stayed in a Kessler historic home right on one of the many public parks in a city. With gorgeous art, and gorgeous historic architecture, it was a wonderful place to stay. The Plant River side construction will take 24 months at a cost of 217 million dollars. Apparently there were many hurdles along the way. One Kessler employee said that he attributed his grey hair to the endless negotiating.  Patience and perseverance eventually made the dream a reality.

The 1912 Georgia power plant located on the west end of River Street
in the National Historic Landmark District is being revitalized into an
ultra-chic hotel delivering an electrifying Hostess City experience.

• 422 beautifully appointed, luxury guestrooms and suites

• Over 26,000 square feet of stylish meeting and event space

• More than 11 upscale food and beverage offerings

• Live music and entertainment venue

• Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park

• Rooftop bar overlooking the Savannah River

• Curated wine tasting and interactive blending experience

• Grand Bohemian Gallery and diverse retail outlets

There was an awards ceremony for staff that went above and beyond the call of duty. The one person I met at the event, Leile Ahlstrand, won the highest honor. She welcomed me warmly and instantly made me feel at home when I entered the Devos room, so I understand why she was honored that night. My sketch was complete. As the band started playing again, I made my way to the front table to show Mr Kessler the final product. My timing was a bit off since I had to shout over the music. He seemed to like the sketch and I explained the I would be writing an article. Then I found Leile and let her know that I was finished. We chatted for a bit. She was glowing as if she had just won an Oscar. None of the recipients had taken time at the mic to thank everyone who made the award possible.  There was probably time for a second sketch, but my legs were tired from standing. I also wanted to get home to have a bite to eat. On the walk back home I passed artists set up on the sidewalks of Thornton Park selling their art. Christmas lights illuminated white tents. It was quite festive, another sketch opportunity, but it was getting late and they were starting I break down. Besides I was over dressed. 

Climb Time Construction

Posted on by Thor

I returned to the Orlando Science Center, (777 East Princeton Street Orlando Fl 32803) to sketch the continuing construction on the Climb Time area of the New Kids Town. I was amazed at how much the structure had progressed in just one week. I was committed to doing one sketch a week, but felt that a sketch a day would have been needed to get a full time lapse effect of the constructions evolution.

The hard hat was still needed since there was overhead wall work and construction still going on. The construction foreman kept an eye on me to be sure I was safe and not in the way. Mostly the structure was complete with just a few tweaks needed to be sure it was study and ready for the endless stress of children at play.

Each green pillar was very heavy and required three workman to maneuver it into place. All that remained now was a few protective screens that needed to be secured.

This series of sketches was commissioned as possible gifts for people who donated money for this 5 million dollar expansion to the museum. For me it was fun to see how the construction. Site changed week to week. Workers got used to my presence and they liked to glance over my shoulder to see if they had been captured. When they recognized a coworker they would rib him, saying that the reason he made it into the sketch was because he was standing around and doing nothing. Every worker however was constantly in motion. Progress was insanely fast.

Finger on the Pulse exhibit at City Arts Factory.

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This solo City Arts Factory Downtown Arts District (29 S Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida 32801)

exhibition is up from December 15, 2016 to January 13, 2017
Artist Opening Reception: Third Thursday December 15, 2015 6-9pm

Thomas Thorspecken (Thor) presents “Finger on the Pulse“, Orlando’s Artistic Expression. After the Pulse tragedy, Thor went to every vigil and fundraiser possible to documents Orlando’s attempts to heal. This project continues as he sketches family and friends of victims along with survivors, employees and first responders. For some the healing will take a lifetime.

Thor has been documenting arts and culture in Orlando for the past 10 years by doing a sketch a day and writing articles that share the city’s history. The project began as a New Years resolution, and has become a lifestyle.

The show features 19 prints of the sketches done in the weeks and months following the Pulse tragedy. I transported all the framed pieces to City Arts Factory in  granny cart. All the pieces were protected using a bed sheet and some towels. It was such a luxury to be able to walk from my Thornton Park apartment downtown. Ive gotten spoiled since I moved from the dingy Winter Park apartment I was renovating these past 6 months.

Anyway, each print has a QR code on the label that leads to a full write up about each event sketched. Orlando is still healing. For some the healing will take a lifetime. A News 13 TV reporter, John Davis, shot footage as I hung the show, and then He interviewed me about all the Pulse themed sketches I have been doing. The story went live that night, but since I don’t have a TV, I didn’t see it. I contacted a Pulse survivor about an interview at the History Center, and she said that at the moment she read my request, my name was mentioned on Channel 13 News. That coverage helped me land the interview and sketch.

I’m heading over for the opening soon. Be sure to stop out to City Arts Factory before January 13th to see the show and possibly pick up some of my art for your art collection.

The Russian Ballet presents Nutcracker.

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On Saturday December 17th from 7pm to 9pm, the Russian Ballet School is presenting a free performance of The Nutcracker at the Walt Disney Amphitheater (99 N/ Rosalind Avenue Orlando Fl 328801). This will be the 17th Annual presentation. There will be food trucks parks on Rosalind, if you would like to grab a bit before the dancing begins. This sketch done in 2015 was never published, but the scene is very much the same. Holiday traditions and decorations get reused year to year. I made no effort to get close to the stage for the sketch. Instead my focus was on the picnickers who set up their spreads in the grass. With so many people in attendance, I never actually saw even a hint of a dancer. The music is memorable however.

In 2015 it was actually quite chilly requiring jackets and hats. I’m thinking this year will be quite a bit warmer. It must have been in the s as I walked around downtown today.

A blimp circled overhead and the larger metal hooped Christmas tree was all ablaze. I’ve seem Nutcracker so often that I knew what must be happening on stage although I couldn’t see over the crowd. Occasionally cell phone would illuminate faces in the crowd. This is a wonderful annual Christmas tradition and it can be appreciated from a distance or right up close. It is a great way to get in the holiday spirit. It can be a magical night.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for December 17th and 18th.

Posted on by Thor

Saturday December 17, 2016

1pm to 2pm Free. 21 Annual Merry Tuba Christmas. Central Park, W Morse Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32789. Tubas, Christmas, enough said.  

5pm to 10pm Free. 2nd Annual Boat Parade. Without A Paddle Cafe, 1000 Miami Springs Dr, Longwood, FL 32779. Come visit Wekiva’s Winter Wonderland and join us for our 2nd annual boat parade on the Wekiva River. All interested participants must register by December 16th at 7p. Details Below.

Arrive early to enjoy food from our Without a Paddle Cafe, grab a drink and get a great seat on the dock for the parade. Please bring your own chairs or blankets.

Carpooling and UBER are strongly encouraged as parking will be limited. Show proof of your UBER receipt and get $3 off your bar tab.
Also happening on December 17th

– Free Gift Wrapping Noon-5pm
– Santa Visits 2-7pm
– Evening Snow Flurries at 6PM
– Lighted Stilt walkers- 7pm-9pm
– Live Remote with 103.1 The Wolf – 7pm – 9pm

7pm to 10pm Free. Art and Education Winter Gala. Henao Contemporary Center 5601 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, Florida 32810. The PreJax Foundation presents an evening at the Henao Contemporary Center to promote local art and; the education of exceptional students affected by multiple sclerosis.

Special appearance by Sylvia Longmire – Ms. Wheelchair USA 2016 

Semi-formal attire encouraged.

The PreJax Foundation is a 501 (c)(3) organization (which means donations are tax deductible). This non-profit exists solely to provide college tuition assistance in the form of $1,000 scholarships. These go to exceptional students who either have a parent with MS or have themselves been diagnosed.

Sunday December 18, 2016

Noon to 3pm Free. Peter and the Wolf. Central Park, W Morse Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32789. 

3pm to 1:30 am $12 to $15. The 13th Annual John Lennon Tribute & Christmas Party Fundraiser. Will’s Pub 1042 N Mills Ave, Orlando, Florida 32803. Southern Fried Sunday presents: The 13th Annual John Lennon Tribute Christmas Party & Fundraiser brought to you by Heartstrings Music Foundation and Real Radio 104.1’s Sunday Morning Coming Down Show
Sunday, December 18th at Will’s Pub on Mills Ave. in Orlando, from 3pm till late, an indoor/outdoor All Ages charity event with Bands (performance schedule TBA soon), art auction and raffle benefiting The Mustard Seed of Central Florida and Music & Memory http://mustardseedfla.org/ https://musicandmemory.org/
In addition to some of our best local Orlando talent playing Lennon’s music from The Beatles to solo, we will feature Orlando artists, vendors and food trucks all coming together to celebrate John Lennon’s music, film, art and message.
This year’s event will be a first of it’s kind as we are broadcasting a live audio video simulcast with coordinated Lennon Tributes in Nashville, Los Angeles and Anchorage.

3pm to 5pm Free.  EXHIBITION TOUR with Guest Curator Arthur Blumenthal, Ph.D. Cornell Fine Arts Museum 1000 Holt Ave, Winter Park, Florida 32789. “In the Light of Naples: The Art of Francesco de Mura” is the first-ever exhibition of the art of Francesco de Mura (1696–1782), arguably the greatest painter of the Golden Age of Naples. The leader in his day of the Neapolitan School and the favorite of the reigning Bourbon King Charles VII, De Mura was the chief painter of decorative cycles to emerge from the studio of Francesco Solimena (1657-1747), the celebrated Baroque artist. De Mura’s refined and elegant compositions, with their exquisite light and airy colors, heralded the rococo in Naples, and his later style led to Neo-Classicism.

The exhibition—which will travel to the Chazen Museum at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the Loeb Art Center at Vassar College—features more than 40 works by De Mura from museums and private collections in the United States, as well as Italy and the United Kingdom.

The Cornell Fine Arts Museum’s painting by De Mura “The Visitation,” ca. 1752 was the impetus for this show, which was curated by Dr. Arthur Blumenthal, Director Emeritus of the Cornell. The exhibition is accompanied by a catalogue published by the museum and D. Giles Ltd., available in the museum’s gift shop. 

Krampusnacht needs to become a holiday tradition.

Posted on by Thor

Krampus is a horned, anthropomorphic folklore figure described as “half-goat, half-demon”, who, during the Christmas season, punishes children who have misbehaved, in contrast with Saint Nicholas, who rewards the well-behaved with gifts. Krampus is one of the Companions of Saint Nicholas in regions including Austria, Bavaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia and Northern Italy. The origin of the figure is unclear; some folklorists and anthropologists have postulated a pre-Christian origin for the figure.

Presented by Pink Hair Productions and Thomas M. Bunting Projects, Krampusnacht was brought to Orlando at the Hammered Lamb (1235 N Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida 32804). My monthly ODD event (Orlando Drink and Draw) so I figured it could be a fun night of sketching demons. I was right. The best demon come out very late at night. By that time, I was spent having finished four sketches. 

My primary sketch was of the main stage. The goal was to sketch Santa and the angry elves. They did a sound check and then disappeared for several hour to get changed. I never did see them perform.

Brendan O’Connor was dressed as a Kampus, and he agreed to pose for a brief five minute sketch for the group. Brendan and Denna also walked the room applying temporary Kranpus tattoos to any patrons who wanted them. They affixed a demonic Krampus tattoo on my bald head as I sketched. It looked pretty good. They also applied a tattoo to the inner cleavage of a buxom woman’s breasts. 

The most demonic Krampus’ seem to arrive just after I left. I heed to work on my stamina so that I c continue sketching until very late at night. I’m still a bit of a early bird, and lightweight

Cory James Connell, one man can change the world.

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At the six month anniversary of the Pulse nightclub shooting, Tara and James Connell invited me to sketch a ceremony honoring their son at Greenwood Cemetery. Tara’s directions were a bit confusing but James gave me a ballpark approximation of where to find their son’s resting place. The ceremony was to start at 5:30pm but I got there early around 4:30pm. I drove through the cemetery in search of one headstone among thousands. I knew that the site was near the 408 and in a corner of the cemetery under a tree. I circled around the winding lanes multiple times hoping to spot James Connell’s name. A black headstone read Papadakis and gorgeous white sculpture of an angel kept catching my eye as I circled.

Finally I parked and just started walking among the headstones. I was lost. Finding an individual stone would be like finding a needle in a haystack. I was searching for rainbows as a hint that I might be near. There were random sparks of color. New grass outlined some grave sites. Instinctively I walked towards a dark live oak tree that was right next to the road. Amazingly, I walked right up to Cory James Connell‘s head stone.

A football jersey read, Cory Strong. A signed football was at the site. There were Christmas candy canes decorating the site along with red solar powered Christmas lights. Two lanterns with penguins on them flanked the headstone. I was the only person around. I sat down and started to sketch. Behind the head stones, the sky lit up with a stunning vibrant sunset. I was blinded at times staring right into the blazing sun. To the right of Cory’s head stone were the head stones of a couple who had died together at Pulse. Anthony Luis Laurean Dilsa was buried right behind his partner, Leroy Valentin Fernandez. To the left of Cory’s stone was the headstone of Alejandro Barrios Martinez, another victim of the senseless violence. There were engraved photos on each stone. Gorgeous live flowers decorated each site in the granite vases. A burly man with golden shades walked up to Leroy’s stone and placed a bouquet of flowers at the site. He stood in silent thought for the longest time and then left.

After sunset, the family started to arrive. A little girl laughed as she raced her brother. She grew silent when she arrived. Well over 40 people gathered around the stone and lit candles. 49 balloons of every color of the rainbow were brought over. A couple held each other for strength. Headlights glared as cars raced down the 408 access road just beyond the fence. Orlando city skyscrapers were visible in the distance. Everyone was instructed to find a video online that was a tribute to Cory. After a countdown, everyone pressed play and watched. Heaven was needing a Hero, cut the silence. I struggled for some emotional distance and strength.

The balloons strings were untangled from each other and handed out to each person. Markers squeaked messages of love and remembrance. Everyone moved out from under the live oak canopy, away from the grave site for a group photo. With one more countdown, everyone released the balloons which slowly floated up to the stars. Cell phone videos caught the ascent. With the sketch complete, I drifted away among the headstones into the dark to head down to Pulse where prayers and song  continued to honor all who were lost six months ago. I felt sad for love lost but needed to keep moving. It is all that I can do to try and understand.

“Love is stronger than death, even though it can’t stop death from happening, but no matter how hard death tries it can’t separate people from love. It can’t take away our memories either. In the end, life is stronger than death.” – unknown

2:02am at Pulse.

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December 12, 2016 at 2:02am, Barbara Poma, the owner of the Pulse nightclub opened the gate to the fence that surrounds the club. It was exactly six months since the horrific mass shooting that killed 49 Orlando citizens. Friends and family of victims were invited inside for a private memorial candlelight service. A Pulse employee handed out rainbow ribbons to everyone in line. There was a small Christmas Tree outside the had ornaments for each of the 49 victims. As family and friends entered the gate, they had to empty their pockets and then go through a metal detector search. I sat on a stone bench right next to the entry door. In this exact spot I once comforted a friend who had too much to drink about nine years ago.

Cut out stars and candles were arranged on the pavement inside the perimeter in a pulse shaped pattern. Couples hugged each other and everyone stood facing the building. A woman I didn’t know hugged me and said she couldn’t wait to see the sketch. She returned to her girlfriend in the crowd. A purple neon circle illuminated the spot above the entry. We were told not to go near the door since it was alarmed. I returned outside to join the line of TV news cameras. Cory James Connell‘s parents Tara and James Connell gave me a hug and a handshake. Tara said she was doing fine until they got to the club. She looked across the street with trepidation and then they walked across and entered the gate. As I sketched I could hear crying from behind the art decorated fence. Someone was wailing, bereft. My heart broke.

Afterward Tara told me that the six month memorial had been done right. Some memorial items were left inside and a bright rainbow sign was left for Cory. It was all so sad. I gave Tara a hug. She invited me to Woodlawn Cemetery that evening where her son was buried. Three other victims of the Pulse shooting were buried right beside him. A couple was buried to his right and the third to his left. At dusk they were having a service and would release Japanese floating lanterns in his honor. Tara gave directions to the grave site but there were so many twists and turns in the directions that I knew I was going to be lost. She confessed that she gets turned around when she goes. They went to their SUV, but James returned and gave me abbreviated directions. They both waved as they drove away. I wasn’t alone. I love that family.

“When a wave of love
takes over a human being… such an exaltation takes him that he knows
he has put his finger on the pulse of the great secret and the great
answer.”

~Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings

Deviant Dolls dominated at Krampusnacht.

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Orlando Krampusnacht was presented by Pink Hair Productions and Thomas M. Bunting Projects.

He’s half-goat, half-demon and all holiday cheer. He has horns and a long tongue he is covered in fur. He caries a switch which he uses to spank children who have been bad. This demonic holiday demon keeps children in line much more effectively than Santa. It was night of not-so-traditional holiday fun honoring Krampus! I decided to host ODD (Orlando Drink and Draw) at the Hammered Lamb (1235 N Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida 32804) on the same evening as Krampusnacht. About six artists stopped out to sketch the festivities.

I wandered inside to enjoy the air conditioning, and discovered this incredible collection of Deviant Dollz. These adorable, bloody, bruised and scared dolls all had personality. Many dolls had horns just like Krampus himself. The exotic sales mistress had on a billowing black skirt with a tight corset.  Prices ranged from $20 and up. These bloody creations are sure to grab
attention as the~f hang in Christmas stockings, or from a rope. Several dolls were sold while I did the sketch.  I felt I had to work fast, before they were all gone. Krampus himself inspected the dolls with a knowing approval.