Casa Feliz

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I took my Urban Sketching students from Crealde School of Art to Casa Feliz in Winter Park to demonstrate using perspective to sketch a building on location. This sketch was done to show which visual clues to look for when trying to decide where a vanishing point would be on the sketch.

Casa Feliz was designed by James Gamble Rogers. The building was constructed in 1933 and has become known as Winter Park’s parlor. Prior to the pandemic, the music series hosted weekend concerts in the ground floor living room behind the blue bay windows in my sketch.

My intrepid students kept their masks on as they sketched, but driving down Park Avenue in Winter Park, very few residents wore masks.

On November 15, 2020 the United States had surpassed 10.8 million cases  and 245,000 deaths, as states continued to break daily records. Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine told CNN coronavirus “fatigue” was a serious problem. Dr. James Phillips, chief of disaster medicine at George Washington University Hospital, said he was “terrified” about the imminent holiday season. “We’re going to see an unprecedented surge of cases following Thanksgiving this year, and if people don’t learn from Thanksgiving, we’re going to see it after Christmas as well,” Phillips said.

COVID Infects Law & Order

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Production of Law & Order Organized Crime was put on hold after a positive COVID-19 test. The test was in zone A, which includes the cast and those in direct contact with them. Most productions have special designations for each category of cast and crew members, so that they’re all in certain staff “bubbles” according to their job and who they have to interact with on a regular basis.

Following industry protocols, state and county safety guidelines and the NBCU Production Playbook, those in close contact were asked to self-isolate and contact tracing was  initiated.

The show had previously paused production back in February after a positive test. Temporary production shutdowns have become the norm while filming during the pandemic.

Many productions have been postponed due to COVID-19. Broadway inn NYC has projected that they might open in September 2021, six month from now. The release date for Disney’s Black Widow was pushed back from May to July 9, 2021. The film will also be released on Disney + which will be a major blow to movie theaters this coming summer. The upcoming Pixar movie Luca is skipping the U.S. theatrical release entirely and will exclusively be available to stream on Disney+, beginning June 18, 2021.

Crealde Urban Sketchers

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Just before Christmas I sketched my Urban Sketching students hard at work at Crealde School of Art. I decided to hold all classes outside because of the pandemic. I was always double masked and often wore a face shield. My students were great about staying masked at all times.

More than 2 million people had traveled before the Christmas Holidays and that resulted in a huge spike in cases in January. By January 8, 2021 over 300,000 people were infected in a single day. Over 4,000 Americans were dying each day.

The Spring session of Crealde Urban Sketching is beginning about April 11, 2021 through May 30, 2021. My focus has always been to get students out of the studio and sketching life around them. The pandemic has brought a about a greater appreciation of the joys of sketching outside.

In this 6 week class, we focus on sketching clothed models and and the classroom environment. We focus on how to incorporate storytelling into your sketches when drawing on location. The assignments challenge you to use your sketchbook the way a photojournalist uses a camera. The sketches are completed using pencil, pen, and watercolor within two hours.

Supplies needed:

#2 HB pencil with an eraser, 05 and 08 micron pens, Stillman and Birn 9 x 12 inch spiral bound sketchbook (Alpha or Epsion series), Travel sized watercolor pallet (mine is a Windsor Newton with 14 color pans), Pentel water brush (water goes in the handle), Black Prismacolor pencil, and a compact artist stool.

 

Pre-Pandemic: Planet Smoothie

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I used to take my Elite Animation Academy, Urban Sketching students to Planet Smoothie after teaching them a lesson inn one point perspective. Who knew that one month after this sketch was done the world would be locked down in a pandemic thanks to COVID-19?

On February 15, 2020, COVID-19 had infected more than 67,000 people globally, the vast majority in mainland China. The death toll was over 1,520, including four people outside mainland China. A Chinese tourist who tested positive for the virus died in France, health officials confirmed which was the first recorded death from COVID-19 in Europe. On this day there were 15 reported cases of COVID-19 in the United States.

Meanwhile my student and I were slipping smoothies and sketching totally unaware of the freight train on the horizon.

With vaccines now available I am finally holding out hope that one day I will once again be able to relax indoors and sketch life as normal. However today case numbers spiked up, and in general have leveled off at around 60 to 70 thousand cases a day. With the new B.1.1.7 variant of the virus taking over in Florida it is very possible that the horrors of December and January case numbers might return.

I am teaching my Elite students virtually now and I love the process. I get to sketch along with them which allows them to see my every thought as I develop a sketch. When I taught a classroom full of students they didn’t get that same level of one on one attention. My latest students have been doing some amazing work. Rather than distract or slow me down, the pandemic has accelerated my creative output. I used to sketch everyday events but events of the last year have required sketching the unseen all around us. Elite Animation Virtual Spring 2021 courses are beginning March 29, 2021.

COVID-19 Tinnitus

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Texas Roadhouse CEO Kent Taylor died by suicide last week at age 65 after what his family described as a “battle with post-Covid related symptoms, including severe tinnitus.” Tinnitus can present in a myriad of ways, from clicking and pulsing sounds, to low- and high-pitched ringing, according to the Mayo Clinic.

It’s not known yet how common tinnitus is as a symptom of COVID-19, but earlier case studies have shown a link between the virus and the ailment.

In one case study, published in the British journal BMJ, a 45-year-old man with no history of auditory issues presented tinnitus and sudden hearing loss while being treated for COVID-19. The man was treated with steroids, which resulted in partial return of his hearing. According to the study, “There are only a few reported cases of hearing loss following COVID-19.”

In another incident, reported in the journal PMC, a 35-year-old patient in Qatar reported experiencing hearing loss and tinnitus while suffering from COVID-19 — symptoms which remained after the infection abated. The study called for further research into the link between COVID-19 and tinnitus, and the ailment generally — research which Kent Taylor himself was helping to fund before his death.

“In true Kent fashion, he always found a silver lining to help others,” his family said in the aforementioned statement. “Most recently, he committed to fund a clinical study to help members of the military who also suffer with tinnitus.”

There is no cure for tinnitus, though there are multiple treatment options.

Miami Beach State of Emergency

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Miami Beach declared a state of emergency due to Spring Break. The South Beach Entertainment District has had wall-to-wall people (most without masks) over blocks and blocks. More than 1000 people have been arrested so far due to fight breaking out on Ocean Drive. About 80 guns have been seized. But the true danger comes from so many people gathering without masks or any social distancing.

The B.1.1.7 variant of the COVID-19 virus is spreading in Florida and it is more contagious than the original virus an much more lethal. After instating an 8pm curfew, police officers in bulletproof vests released pepper spray balls to break up the part.

Miami’s tourism arm just spent $5 million on its biggest national advertising campaign in 20 years, seeking a rebound after billions of dollars were lost to the pandemic. Flights to Miami are as cheap as $65. What resulted got was chaos and a surefire superspreader.

March 20, 2021, the Miami Beach City Commission declared the 8 p.m. curfew would be in effect through April 13,2021.
“The goal here is to really contain the overwhelming crowd of visitors, and the potential for violence disruption and damage to and damage to property, whether intentional or not,” city manager Raul Aguila said. The attempted crackdown comes as Florida has thrown open its doors to tourists after a year of coronavirus lock downs and restrictions around the country. Florida Governor Ron DeathSantis has bragged that the state is an “oasis of freedom” during the pandemic.
The Clevelander South Beach, one of Miami Beach’s most iconic hotels, announced March 19, 2021 it would temporarily halt its food and beverage operations because of safety concerns for its employees and patrons. Staff is being paid through the lock down. “Recently, we have grown increasingly concerned with the safety of our dedicated employees and valued customers and the ability of the City to maintain a safe environment in the surrounding area,” the hotel said in a message on its website and on social media. “Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily close the food and beverage operations” until at least March 24, 2021.

COVID-19 Outbreak at Mar-A Lago

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Disease and pestilence follow the ex-president anywhere he goes. Mar-a-Lago the former president’s residence in Florida has an outbreak of COVID-19. It has been partially closed after some staff members tested positive.

The club said in a statement that the Beach Club and a la carte dining room were closed, but did not specify how many people had tested positive. Banquet and event services remain open. It seems insane that banquets which are by definition large gathering of people would remain open.

In January, images surfaced from a New Year’s Eve party at Mar-a-Lago that showed a number of guests not wearing masks. The resort was handed a formal warning by Palm Beach County which said the event had violated coronavirus regulations. The ex-president has always snubbed basic health precautions like masks and social distancing.

Palm Beach neighbors don’t want Trump living at Mar-a-Lago. A demand letter was reportedly delivered to the town of Palm Beach asserting that Trump lost his legal right to live at Mar-a-Lago when he converted the estate from his private residence to a private club in the 1990s.

News of the closure was first reported by the Associated Press.

 

9-11 Memorial and Museum

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Pam Schwartz and I had an opportunity to see some of the items from the 9-11 Memorial and Museum (180 Greenwich Street New York, NY 10007) up close. On the table in this sketch is an American flag which was covered with the names of people who died when the twin Towers fell. It is known as the flag of Honor. I didn’t have the time to write all the names. Versions of this flag are actually available online. Over 800,000 of these flags have been distributed across America and throughout the world.

The 9/11 Memorial & Museum is the country’s principal institution concerned with exploring 9/11 by documenting its impact, and examining its continuing significance. The museum honors those who were killed in the 2001 and 1993 attacks.

The 9/11 Memorial Museum is now open five days a week as a one-way visitor experience with new health and safety measures in place and ongoing operational changes to ensure a safe Museum experience.  All visitors must wear CDC-approved masks and purchase tickets in advance for timed visits that allow for social distancing. Museum capacity is limited to 25 percent.

 

 

Times Square Pop-Up

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On March 12, 2020 Broadway in NYC went black due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. All 41 Broadway theaters shuttered their performances. A solid year has gone by with no live theater on Broadway. This has been the longest shutdown in Broadway’s  history. To mark the one year anniversary, a live pop-up concert titled We Will Be Back, was held in commemoration of the industry’s lost year. Disney‘s Frozen was the first musical to shutter permanently.

The pop up concert provided a sense of hope as the industry and city move forward from the challenges of the past year. Over 97,000 arts workers have suffered during the theaters darkest hours. All the performers at this pop up performance were paid.

“I don’t think anyone of us expected it to last this long,” Brian Stokes Mitchell said. “That’s what’s been so shocking about it. It’s why I’m so happy I’ve been with the Actors Fund and to be able to help people get all through this terrible, terrible time we’re going through.”

The gathering was presented by Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, NYCNext, and the Times Square Alliance. It is directed and produced by Holly-Anne Devlin/Kaleidoscope Entertainment, and Executive Produced by Blake Ross. Social distancing, face shields and masks were the norm.

The $17 billion a year theater industry still doesn’t know when it will get back to work, but the feeling is certainly optimistic.

Pre-Pandemic: FusionFest

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FusionFest happens around Thanksgiving in front of the Dr. Philips Center for the Performing Arts. For this sketch I sat at the end of a long row of international flags. Tents were set up for merchandise and food courts.

Fusion Fest in 2021 is scheduled for November 27th and 28th. The goal of Fusion Fest is to celebrate the people and the many cultures that make Central Florida awesome. It is is a free, two-day, festival that draws people from more than 110 different cultures to experience music, dance, food, visual arts, spoken word, games and interactive activities.

It all began when Sam Roberts of the Caribbean American Passport and Yves Bouele of the African Leaders Council wanted too create  some kind of international event. While there are dozens of festivals centered around one heritage or another in our community, we thought, What if we all came together at the same time?