The New Spiral Circle

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The Spiral Circle  in its Mills/50 Location

(750 N Thornton Ave
Orlando, Florida) was founded on May 16th, 1975 by Beverly and William Ford. It is Orlando’s oldest running spiritual book store. I got a call from Julie Norris Wilder letting me know that the store was going to change hands. Julie was one of the founders of Dandelion Communitea Cafe only a block away from Spiral Circle . She explained that on the day she was looking for a location for Dandelion, she entered Spiral Circle and she was told that her destiny was not far away. When she left Spiral she drove down the street and saw that the Building Dandelion now occupies was for sale.When she had her daughter Maya there was a court case that ultimately lead to Julie leaving Dandelion and Orlando. I partnered with Julie on a calendar a few years ago and I got to see first hand her tenacious creative spirit. In this new business venture at Spiral Circle  she has partnered with Summer Rodman.

Summer is the CEO of Amazon Hose and Rubber which has been in business in Orlando for over 100 years. Summer’s Grandmother ran the business, then her mother and now Summer is at it’s reins. When Julie contacted me I hoped to sketch the new owners signing the paperwork for the building. Unfortunately work  kept me from sketching that signing at about noon. After work, I drove right over to Spiral Circle  to sketch the building. A sign in the window announced that the business was closed. I figured everyone must have gone home after the business changed hands. As I worked on the sketch of the building someone drove up beside me and rolled down her window. She asked me if the Spiral Circle  was open. I said that the sign on the window said it was closed and left it at that. She decided to park anyway and walked up to the entry since this was the time of day she usually stopped by to get her incense. Maya opened the door and soon Julie greeted me and offered me some water while I sketched. William Ford, the original owner of the spiritual bookstore exited the front door and Julie introduced me to him. He seemed a bit misty eyed as he left this spiritual home behind.

A new sketch opportunity presented itself since Summer was going to stop by and they were going to sign the business agreements. May was tasked with shooting photos of the occasion while I sketched. She stood on a chair to get an aerial shot and must have taken 50 shots of the historic signing. The phone kept ringing and Maya answered, making it clear that the circle was unbroken and business was already in full swing. The documents being signed needed the signature of a witness so I ended up adding my signature to the documents that cemented the start of this auspicious new venture. I felt a thrill that I was documenting a truly historic moment with my sketch.

I am excited by what can be found on their calendar, there are Angel Communication Sessions, Numerologist and Wellness Coaching, Bio-Field Integrative Arcing Light Chakra Balancing, Attunements and Intuitive Energy Healing and a Tibetan Meditation Group. The opportunities for spiritual self growth fascinate me.

Julie’s enthusiasm for this new venture is so contagious… “My heart is full. My new business partner is, like, the BEST ever. The
people I work with daily are incredible humans. My kid impresses me
always. My sweet romance gets sweeter by the day. I’ve been reconnecting
with so many people just by being at Spiral. I get to source and shift
dollars into ethical and fair companies, mostly woman-owned, often
independent. I’m so passionate about doing right by the land, one
another and respecting cultures around the world and now I get to bring
sacred offerings to our community with the same discerning eye that I
had at Dandelion for ingredient sourcing.  I am so grateful and thrilled this is my new reality.” Clearly this place will be a home base for a growing community here in Orlando. I find Spiral Circle  inspiring as an artist who hopes there is still magic and mystery in the world.

Lights for Liberty

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Lights for Liberty held a vigil at Lake Eola Park to protest the inhumane incarceration of immigrants at the border. The rain died down as the chants and protests subsided around the little red gazebo. One candle lit two, which ignited four which then ignited exponentially more candles. People struggled to keep the light ablaze by protecting the flame with their hands. The storm still persisted. Protesters marched around the lake once and then concluded with a vigil and moment of silence.

As court cases tighten the noose around the POTUS, he is lashing out at others on the hill with racist rants.  The deplorable conditions in the southern detention centers are further evidence of a platform of dehumanizing rhetoric. A family seeking asylum begged for their daughters sake since she had a congenital heart disease. A detention center doctor found that she did indeed have a heart condition. This toddler was told she must choose between her parents since one would be sent back across the border. She chose her mother but once her father was being escorted away she broke down and cried. How could a child be asked to choose between their parents? The doctor insisted the family be kept together for the child’s sake and he stayed with them overnight off the clock. The next day he found a different detention officer who agreed to keep the family together. Their future remains uncertain.

In Charlottesville, Neo Nazis chanted “Jews shall not replace us!” as they marched at night with tiki torches. A Unite the Right Rally white supremacist drove his car into peace loving counter protesters killing one woman, Heather Heyer, on that day in 2017. He was just sentenced life in prison plus over 400 years. The POTUS claimed there were “Very good people on both sides.” This is why Neo Nazis and his base love him so much. History always repeats itself. During the start of WWII the United States also closed it’s borders to Jews seeking asylum from Nazi Germany. Then as now, the US turned a blind eye. Southern detention centers are as dehumanizing as the American citizen Japanese interment camps of WWII. Orlando seems like a bubble of compassion in a country where the rhetoric of hate is always what makes the news. Brave people still stand as a light in the dark against hate. They give hate no safe harbor. Lets hope the storm will pass. 

“If you’re not outraged, you’re not paying attention.”

— Heather Heyer, her last post published on Facebook.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for July 27 and 28, 2019

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Saturday July 27, 2019

8am to 1pm Free. Parramore Farmers Market. John H Jackson Community Center, 3107, 1002 W Carter St, Orlando, FL 32805. Purchase
quality, fresh and healthy food grown in your own neighborhood by local
farmers, including Fleet Farming, Growing Orlando, and other community
growers.

7pm to 11pm Free. Ybor City Art Walk. 7th Ave Ybor Tampa, Florida 33605. Featuring a number of arts organizations and artsy businesses, be sure to R.S.V.P. here to get the official map for the walk!
This event will begin at 7pm and end at 11pm (or maybe there will be an after party!)
Here are the participating locations:
The Bricks of Ybor
Bloodline Tattoo
Ybor Arts Colony
Hot Wax
Wandering Eye Art Gallery
Dysfunctional Grace
Moon Over Havana Arts Gallery
Live Arts Labs

10pm to Midnight Free. No cover. The Negative Ion Movement Presents: Femmelectric. Lil Indie’s 1036 N Mills Ave, Orlando, Florida 32803. The Negative Ion Movement Presents:
femmelectric with:
Kurt Rambus
FoxForce005
Michelle Jones
Dani Orieta
and jream

Sunday July 28, 2019

10am to Noon Free. Heartfulness Relaxation and Meditation Class. University, 5200 Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32811. The Method of Heartfulness A simple and practical way to experience the heart’s unlimited resources. 

Noon to 2pm Free but get food and drink. Florida Gospel Jam. Fish on Fire 7937 Daetwyler Drive Belle Isle FL. Every 2nd and 4th Sunday.

10pm to Midnight Free but get a coffee. Comedy Open Mic. Austin’s Coffee, 929 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL. Free comedy show! Come out and laugh, or give it a try yourself.

Lights for Liberty

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At hundreds of locations around the country there will be vigils to protest the inhumane incarceration of immigrants at the border. The event is being called Lights for Liberty. The aim was to bring people together in peaceful protest of the inhumane conditions of the camps holding incarcerated immigrants and in remembrance of those whom have suffered and even died in those very places. These vigils occurred across the nation, with candles lit and a moment of silence at 9pm. Organizers and protesters want the world to know that this is not the America they believe in and that there are still citizens who care about the rest of the world and the rights of refugees seeking asylum in our country.

It was raining lightly when I arrived at the grassy peninsula to the right of the red gondola in Lake Eola Park.  Sheri Smyth, an event organizer with bright green hair gave a brief interview to a TV news crew. I asked where speakers might set up to talk to the protesters and was told a podium would be set up on the grass. I paused waiting to see where the podium might go. Someone walked out with a podium and walked half way out towards the lake and stopped dead in his tracks. I stopped as well as I followed him. His face looked ashen and he turned on his heals taking the podium back under a tent. I glanced out across the lake and the far shore disappeared under the silver sheen of a wall of rain that made its way across the lake towards us.

It started to pour. People crowded under the blue tent for cover and the rest opened their umbrellas. I sat on my artist stool which unfortunately ripped. I decided to start sketching the gondola and tent since the rain showed no signs of letting up. Two young women danced in the rain embracing the moment instead of running for cover. As it grew darker the park lights flicked on. The event organizer made an executive decision and decided to set up the podium inside the red gazebo. I decided to stay where I was since the sketch was started. I noticed several rainbow colored umbrellas and decided that the protesters bright umbrellas would be my center of interest. Gale force winds kicked up and I leaned back with my umbrella into the wind while keeping my tables as safe from the water as I could. On this gray rainy day, the bright colors of the protestors and their bright umbrellas were a vibrant contrast. Occasionally I wiped the water off on my shirt. Once this sketch was done I moved in closer to sketch the candles being lit.

It has become amazingly clear that Trump is a raging racist and a liar. With images coming out of the detention center on our southern border every American can see the inhuman conditions inflicted on asylum seekers first hand. This week The government is conduction raids in cities across the country to detain and relocate people.

There are 10 stages of Genocide. We are at stage 7.

1. Classification: People are divided into “us and them.”

2. Symbolization: People are forced to identify themselves.

3. Discrimination: People begin to face systematic discrimination.

4. Dehumanization: People are equated with animals, vermin or diseases.

5. Organization: The government creates specific groups (Police, Military, ICE) to enforce policies.

6. Polarization: The government broadcasts propaganda to turn the populace against the group.

7. Preparation: Official action to remove/relocate people.

8. Persecution: Beginning of murders, theft of property, trial massacres.

9. Extermination: Wholesale elimination of the group. It is “extermination” and not murder because the people aren’t considered human.

10. Denial: The government denies that it had committed any crime.

No Borders

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No Borders Art Competition had it’s 4 Year Anniversary at Iron Cow (2438A East Robinson St, Orlando, Florida 32803. Located in the Milk District a free cocktail was available with any purchase from the menu.Louis Rivera who founded No Borders asked if I would come in and act as one of the judges for this historic Rematch. When Pam and I arrived I immediately found a spot close to the DJ Dolo with a view of the stage and I started sketching. The music pumped loud the entire night keeping the crowd pumped for each competition. 

 
This event brought together 6 artists from the first 4 shows to celebrate our 4 year anniversary. They  competed on our 4ft x 4ft canvases for 30 minutes. The artists competing were:

Earl Funk
Timmy Dub
Phelo
Smet
Ken Deft
Frost
 

Contestant battled for $50 worth of paint supplies on a 4ft by 4ft sleek canvas for 30 minutes. Artists were each given one black marker and a choice of one color
to create on a smooth canvas. The purpose was to out create their
opponent, keep it looking neat, and win over the judges as well as the
crowd in a short period of time.

The rules were:

Only a black marker could be used and the artists choice of one other
color. Contestants were judged by the time they took, overall
balance, cleanliness, originality and creativity.

  

I was there to help judge just one round. The competitors were Frost against Deft. Frost chose a Green Marker and created a post nuclear ooze. Deft who also created the No Borders logo chose red for his color and he was roasting his competitor. He drew a graffiti artist who ignited his spray paint and lit his competitor on fire. In researching the artists I found that many were tattoo artists. In Orlando most of the best draftsmen work as tattoo artists. In this round Deft was the winner.

We stayed to watch a second competition as Phelo faced off against Deft. Phelo created a canvas that seemed to have been burned at the edges with a scene themed around still smoking. Smet did a graffiti version of his name which seemed a boring solution. I love the energy of these artist competitions.

Accidental Historian

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I was sent to several locations in Orlando to sketch scenes that had been photographed back in the 1920s. In this scene Many trees had been added over the years and the old bandshell was replaced by the now rainbow colored Disney Amphitheater. The original bandshell in the historic photo was designed by Frank Loyd Wright’s secretary, Isabella Roberts who was an architect in her own right.  She also designed several buildings in  the Orlando area. I found it fascinating that many of the same shadows cut across the scene, 100 years later.

This is the Sperry Fountain which is actually the second fountain on this site. Having sketched this from life and comparing it to the original, I can say it is a fairly close replica. The duck on top of the fountain has a slightly different pose in the original sculpture, and today the green patina  had some purple paint stains perhaps from pride day.  The original is now
located in Greenwood Cemetery. The fountain is made of wrought iron and
has a duck base and water flows from the duck’s beaks and an acanthus leaf.

In 1883, wealthy Orlando resident Jacob Summerlin the owner of the Summerlin Hotel,
the first City Council president, and financial lender for the
construction of Orlando’s courthouse in the 1870s—donated a large tract
of land to establish a park in Orlando. In 1883, Summerlin came to a
city council meeting and offered the land around the lake on the
condition that it be beautified and turned into a park. He also required
that the city plant trees and put a “driveway” around the lake. To ensure that the city followed through with the stipulations of the
donation, Summerlin put reverter clauses in the contract to allow his
heirs to reclaim the property if the city failed in its obligations. Several years later, his sons threatened to exercise the reverter
clause if the city did not make good on its promise. Today, the park is
still maintained according to his requirement that it be kept
beautiful.

These sketches were done as part of Accidental Historian at the Orange County Regional History Center (65 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801). The premise of the show is that any one today might be a historian without even realizing it. That could certainly
true of many bloggers, urban sketchers, photographers, and more. In this
engaging exhibition, created at the History Center, patrons can learn how
individuals who are absorbed in documenting the world of today
accidentally become some of Central Florida’s finest historians for the
future. The show offers a glimpse into some of the museum’s favorite collections that were
created for the now, more than 100 years ago. Put it on your calendar, The Accidental Historian runs from September 21, 2019 to January 19, 2020. Work from Orlando Urban Sketchers will be on display along with historic and contemporary photos and journals.

Apollo 13

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In June there was a free screening of Apollo 13 starring Tom Hanks at Winter Park‘s Central Park. I saw the film when it first came out in 1995 on the big screen. It was about the third attempt to land men on the moon. The one thing I remember form that showing was that I was seated in a front row of the theater and the film gave me a huge headache. At the time I was working at Disney Feature Animation and we had a box lunch session in which producers of the film showed us how it was made. The film was directed by Ron Howard of The Andy Griffith Show fame. Some scenes in the film featured astronauts in weightlessness. Back then there was no Digital Effects to recreate that effect so they actually got permission to build a set inside a plane known as the Vomit Comet or KC-135 airplane. It got that illustrious name because it would fly extremely high and then nose dive towards the earth creating a momentary weightlessness inside the fuselage. The remaining scenes in the capsule were usually close ups and to get the effect of weightlessness in those shots the actors would be on sea saws which would gently rock them up and down. Watching the film again I couldn’t help but wonder which scenes featured those rocking horses or sea saws.

I sketched as people set up their blankets on the Central Park Lawn. As it grew darker I made my painting darker as well. Twice the film had to be stopped as an Amtrak Train roared by. I finished my sketch about half way through the film as Tom Hanks announced, “Houston we have a problem.” An on-board explosion deprives their spacecraft of most of its oxygen supply and electric power, forcing NASA’s flight controllers to abort the Moon landing, and turned the mission into a struggle to get the three men home safely.
What followed were very exciting solutions to very difficult problems. Oxygen was being vented into space, and the astronauts had to move into the lunar landing vessel which acted as their life raft. With CO2 levels rising they realized that the filter could not keep up with the CO2 they were exhaling. The filter form the capsule they abandoned could not be used because it was round rather than square. On the ground engineers were tasked with finding a way to use the wrong shaped filter. It involved ripping the cover off a manual, some tape and tubing. When reconstructed with step by step instructions the astronauts held their breath hoping the filter would work and it did.

When the aborted mission returned to earth, the astronauts had to go back inside the capsule and jettison their life raft into space. When re entering the earths atmosphere they had to hope that the heat shield on the bottom of the capsule had not been damaged in the explosion which had been caused when they stirred the oxygen tanks. As the capsule was engulfed in flames as it dropped towards the earth everyone in the audience saw a shooting star streak above the movie screen. Apollo 13 was an amazing film about perseverance hope and steely eyes determination in the face of seemingly insurmountable life and death decisions. It was a nail biting ride from launch to splashdown. And watching it under a shooting star shower was and ethereal experience.

Kiss My Art

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Boris Douglas Garbe and Marla E. Smith were live at Maxine’s on Shine (337 North Shine Avenue Orlando FL). Boris and Marla joined forces to host a syndicated talk show called Kiss My Art, and this was a live taping of that show. Their guest for the evening was Chris Fioravantti. Chris was sporting a signature jacket that was given to him by commissioner Patty Sheehan. It was covered with day of the dead skulls. Before taking to the stage he vogued in it for admirers in the audience. Chris is a podcaster himself so he is used to conducting interviews with local guests.


Boris and Marla sat on opposite sides of Chris and each asked him questions in turn. Boris confided that he had experienced bullying as a kid so he was interested in a traumatic story from Chris’s past. Chris related that he kept to himself in school. On a trip on his bike he noticed several kids bullying a gay fellow student. He knew of him but they were not particularly close. He decided he had to act so he shouted out for the bullies to stop. When they didn’t he hopped off his bike and got into the middle of the fight. He started getting blows to his head and had to close his eyes. When he opened his eyes, he was on thee ground and he found that the kid he had come to help, had joined the bullies in hitting and kicking him while he was down. In hind sight he didn’t blame the kid. It was his way to survive the incident.


Chris also found out later in life that he was adopted. His adopted family was in the audience and there were some ties between the father who abandoned him and his adopted family which made his telling of this story all the more brave. Today Chris works as a Dog groomer which he loves, but someday he hopes that the podcasts he creates can lift him up so he can live a financially stable existence. After the interview was over, I found a card on my table that announced that The Experience will be coming this February.  

As Chris stated, “At my core I am an artist. I play the guitar, the ukulele, and the
piano. At one point I studied audio engineering, but podcasting is my
true passion. When I was approached by Kyle Eagle and Boris Garbe in
late 2018 to start my own podcast I jumped at the chance!!!” So, be sure to put, The Experience on your radar. It is now on mine.

The Accidental Historian

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The Orange County Regional History Center (65 E. Central Blvd. Orlando, Florida 32801) is creating an exhibit that will run from September 21, 2019 through January 19, 2020 called The Accidental Historian. The premise is that every day citizens could be historians without even realizing it! That’s certainly true of many bloggers, urban sketchers, photographers, and more. In this engaging exhibition, patrons can learn how individuals who are absorbed in documenting the world of today accidentally become some of Central Florida’s finest historians for the future. Catch a glimpse into some of the museum’s favorite collections that were created for the now – more than 100 years ago.

I was  invited to contribute to this exhibit. The above sketch was done in front of the History Center in the exact spot a historical photo was shot back in the 1920s.  It was fascinating to see what has changed and what has not changed. The 55 West building is certainly new but many of the buildings on this street look exactly the way they did 100 years ago. If you go to the History Center web site you will see that this sketch was married to the old photo from the past creating a unique split screen view of this intersection at two separate points on the timeline. A larger than life framed version of this split screen is being created so that people who go to the exhibit can walk inside my sketch for a family photo opportunity. Anyone on the black and white photo side will be shown in black and white and anyone on my sketch side off the scene will be in vibrant color. I cant wait to see how this turn out in practice.

Besides my contributions to the show, other members of Orlando Urban Sketchers will have their work on display since the artists of today will be each leaving behind a unique view of what it is like to live in Orlando. So put September 21, 2019 on your calendar and come to see the history being recorded in unique ways every day right here in Orlando.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for July 20 and 21, 2019

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Saturday July 20, 2019

8am to 1pm Free. Parramore Farmers Market. The east side of the Orlando City Stadium, across from City View. Purchase
quality, fresh and healthy food grown in your own neighborhood by local
farmers, including Fleet Farming, Growing Orlando, and other community
growers.

10am to 4pm Free. Commander’s Call. Museum of Military History 5210 West Irlo Bronson Hwy Kissimmee FL 34746. This
ongoing program is held on the 3rd Sat of each month is designed to
appeal to families, military memorabilia collectors, history buffs,
re-enactors and others interested in military history. In addition,
persons interested in displaying, trading or selling their military
items such as honor coins, swords, photographs, military buttons, scale
model boats & planes, military art, uniforms or other equipment
register in advance by calling the museum to reserve a spot. Re-enactors
& veterans are welcome to come in uniform to add to the history
& authenticity of the military experience. Non-military booths such
as healthcare providers, home improvement, local attractions or other
businesses are invited to be vendors for minimal donation.

4pm to 8pm Free. Cruisin’ Downtown DeLand Car Show! East Indiana Ave Downtown DeLand, Deland FL. Classic cars and rods. Live DJ, giveaways, shopping & dining. Fun for the family! Every 3rd Saturday night!

Sunday July 21, 2019

10am to Noon Free. Heartfulness Relaxation and Meditation Class. University, 5200 Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32811. The Method of Heartfulness A simple and practical way to experience the heart’s unlimited resources. 

Noon to 3pm Donation based. Music at the Casa. Ola Szelag. Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, 656 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789. Members
of the public are invited to visit our historic home museum on a Sunday
afternoon from 12 to 3 pm, listen to live music and take a tour of our
historic home museum and the James Gamble Rogers II Studio by trained
docents. 

10pm to Midnight. Free but get a coffee.  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.