The Composers Salon Concert at the White House.

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At the 4th annual Composer’s Salon Concert, held at the Timucua White House, (2000 South Summerlin, Orlando, FL 32806) I was tasked with hanging the 49 Portraits done by 18 local artists a month after the mass shooting at Pulse. The portraits were created in one evening at Falcon Bar with each artist creating a bout 4 give or take. The portraits were hung on wooden ceiling beams in the entry the home. drink wine and share potluck dishes. It was a challenge climbing up and the ladder multiple times to try and get the portraits hung before the doors opened. The 49 portraits to exactly fill the beam space.

The concert featured seven local Central Florida composers: Eric Brook, Stan Cording, Paul Harlyn, Dr. Chan Ji Kim, Dr. Seunghee Lee, Sharon Omens, and Rebekah Todia, who featured original compositions including local and world premieres in a diverse array of musical stylings. Instrumentation included, piano, violin, flute, saxophone, bassoon, bass guitar, percussion, and electronic music. The most magical and relaxing sound came from a large Tibetan meditation bowl.

After the concert it was rewarding to see people talking about the portraits floating above them. People took iPhone photos of familiar faces. The show came down much faster than it went up but I had to work around people who lingered to the bitter end. Betsy Brabandt helped by removing the electrical dips from each sketch, and slipping the sketches back into the used to carry the collection. It is kind of nice to be the last one to leave such celebration of creativity and community.

Grand Opening for Art on Orange!

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ART on Orange (1211 North Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida 32804) had its Grand Opening Day on March 15th. People stopped by, signed the guest book, browsed 
the open studio and gallery featuring artist Ginae Lee Scott. The artists
original artwork is be available for decor, art collectors and gifts
in original canvas, prints and Giclee canvas. You can stop by and meet the artist as she paints in her studio. Also available at Art On Orange, is Rob Bacon Jewelry.

It was a cool evening, with a brisk breeze. The gallery itself was constantly crowded and thus warm and cozy with the buzz of conversations. The La Empanada  food truck was outside offering dinner options. The great thing about this intimate studio was the view from the front window which overlooks Lake Virginia. I sat across the street to take in the overall view of the gallery. Behind me the sun set behind the lake warning the scene with the warm light of the golden hour. I adjusted colors constantly as I chased the light.

Tables were arranged so people could stand outside and chat as they ate dinner or had drinks, which were free. After the sketch was done, joined in at a table where artists were gathered. We discussed an incredibly detailed masters thesis project, and laughed about how it might be simplified. Then the conversation turned to the romance of the streets of Paris.

The gallery will be open from 10-5pm on most days. Check the website for hours.

Music at the Casa.

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The Orlando Urban Sketchers group met at Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, (656 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789), to sketch. I work on Saturdays, and this was the first time the group met on a Sunday. When I got there, I didn’t notice any other sketches, so I went inside The historic home and set up in the parlor where chairs were set up facing the bay windows. Michael Blumer was just setting up his electric bass. A small amplifier was set up behind his seat along with a recorder that played some supporting rhythm and background music. The tracks were all shuffled and his biggest issue was finding the supporting track he wanted.

I’m starting to really like the line quality I am getting from the digital pencil on an iPad Pro. Color is more vibrant than I would get with watercolor a ad I’m starting to get better judging color and value on the tablet. The digital medium seemed appropriate since the instrument was electronic. It kept the general outline of the traditional instrument, but really he could have played just the central column and the sound would have been the same.

 

Mike Bloomer’s world changed recently when an MRI showed he developed
glioblasoma brain cancer. It came as a shock to those near and dear to
him. Mike has already undergone brain surgery to remove most of the
tumor and has started an aggressive chemo and radiation plan, with
positive results. Fellow
musician and friend Stephanie Doucette has created a compassionate
crowdfunding web page at YouCaring.com to raise funds for Mike and his
family while he is unemployed and fighting cancer. A benefit concert was
recently held to raise funds for Mike, but the fundraising efforts are
continuing. Visit the Mike’s crowdfunding site to contribute funds for his
medical needs, to show your support, or find out more information.

Noga Grosman who organized the Urban Sketchers outing, sat several rows behind me. She finished a quick sketch and left while I was still working. When I was done, I we at outside to see how many sketchers showed up. About eight artists were on the grounds sketching the historic home. They all gathered in the courtyard to share their sketches. In the bright sunshine, my digital sketch was barely visible, another disadvantage of the digital world. One artist showed me how to use a simple sketch program that is integrated into Notes which is on every tablet. Had I known about that program I might have taken up digital sketching a long time ago.We all stood for a group photo. As a new chapter to the international Urban Sketchers organization, the Orlando USk group is growing steadily. The Orlando Urban Sketchers group just passed 100 members! If you know of a friend, a co-worker or anyone who loves to
draw, will you mention our Orlando Urban Sketching group and invite them over? Life is short, capture it with a sketch.

49 crosses.

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After the horrific massacre at Pulse Nightclub, 49 crosses were placed at Lake Beauty of the Orlando Regional Medical Center where victims were taken in the moments after the shooting. The medical center is just a few blocks north of Pulse on Orange Avenue. Never has an emergency room been so close to the scene of a mass murder. Despite the best efforts of the ER doctors working under triage conditions, 49 lives were lost. The rifle used had only one purpose which is to take human life with brutal force. These 49 crosses became a place of pilgrimage for a community trying to find reason behind an insane and pointless act of hate and violence. Other countries look at America’s love affair with gun violence with shock and amazement.

An Illinois man,  Greg Zanis, 65, traveled more than 1,000 miles from his home in Illinois to Orlando, Florida, in the wake of the massacre.  His pickup drove to Orlando with the 49 handmade crosses, one for each of the victims that died. Zanis also brought markers so that people could write messages on the crosses. Every surface is covered in writing.

The crosses are now stored at the Orlando Regional History Center off site facility. The warehouse is home to the museum’s vast historical collection which are not currently on exhibit in the downtown museum. I was sworn to secrecy about the off site location and the route was purposefully convoluted with a myriad of pretzel turns and back road circles.  Upon entering the facility, Frank Weber, the County Photographer, shouted out, “No food or drink!” as he pointed to a sign with the same message. Museum staff gathered in the break room to finish their Starbucks coffees. My coffee had a taste of caramel. I’m beginning to understand the allure of living off of coffee alone. Frank had an admirably inappropriate sense of humor that helped lighten the atmosphere. To enter the warehouse we had to walk across a sticky mat which removed any dirt or insect eggs from the soles of our feet.

The conserved crosses were each stored in grey archival boxes, specially made for them with clear fronts so the crosses can be seen. The memorial items left at each cross are stored in separate boxes right above the corresponding crosses, which were stacked several shelves high. Colorful items collected from memorials and vigils were stacked everywhere. Over five thousand items are still being preserved, and catalogued. It is a Herculean and thankless task being executed with love by the History Center staff.  The crosses will be on display in June as part of the one year vigil to honor victims, their families, survivors, and first responders. It seems like only yesterday when this horrific event shocked and saddened Orlando. The wounds are still very visible if you look.

Staff removed crosses from their boxes and stood them clustered near Frank, who shot a three quarter view of each cross, front and back. Large industrial flashes created clean shots which will be used for an online database of the collection. After each cross was photographed, it was moved near the loading dock, so they will be ready to go on public display in June. These wooden crosses are heavy and lifting 49 of them tests muscles. I found it odd that a historic rifle storage cabinet was right beside Frank as he shot the photos. Staff and Frank wore blue conservator’s gloves to be sure not to get body oils onto the painted surfaces of the crosses. These gloves ripped at times and had to be replaced. The warehouse was reminiscent of the final scene in Indiana Jones when the arc of the covenant was stored away. However, in Orlando the memories of those lost to senseless violence is being kept alive. The hope is that we as a community can grow stronger.

Painting demo: A Plein Air Picnic.

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Painter, Harold Frontz gave a painting demo titled, “A Plein Air Picnic”. I had high hopes of seeing a beautiful woman with a white parasol feeding grapes to her fashionable partner while a stocky lap dog sniffs in the grass. It was a gorgeous day at the Albin Polasek Museum, (633 Osceola Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789). The museum is on three acres overlooking Lake Osceola. I walked down to the water’s edge to watch the water lilies as they bobbed on the water’s surface. Rachael Frisby the museum curator wandered from artist to artist to check on their progress.

Inside, plein air paintings that were still wet leaned against the walls waiting to be hung. The paintings were freshly created by artists who were part of the Winter Park Paint Out happening April 23rd to the 29th. Free painting demos were available all week long. For me, it was a great opportunity to learn from other artists.

Harold Frontz was actually painting a still life that he set up on a white linen tablecloth. A red apple sat next to a bro me bowl holding some ferns, along with some yellow flowers described them, “happy grapes.” He rubbed a warm ground onto the board and quickly roughed in a light drawing using a #2 bright brush and slightly darker pigment. a larger brush and showed it to the audience. “This is the secret of impressionistic painting” announced. He could use the flat edge for large brush strokes and then turn the brush to get a thinner stroke. He uses a Masterson sealed palette which is like Tupperware. He lined the bottom with brown paper and set a sheet of glass on top of that. I immediately want to adopt that idea.

Harold uses a separate brush for every color. He organized his wet brushes on the palette lid. He uses lots of paper towels. He adopted the practice from portraiture of placing the light side of the face against a dark background and placing the dark side of the face against a light background. Transparent darks we applied to his canvas first. Harold blocked in his painting he stressed the importance of using the brush strokes, define direction, shape, and form.

Harold stopped and sat in the front row. He gave an overview of the points he had covered in the demonstration. The funniest thing he said, was that he is soft spoken, because at home, he can’t get a word in edgewise.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for April 29th and 30th.

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Saturday April 29, 2017 

7pm to 10pm $125 7th Annual Science of Wine. Orlando Science Center (777 E. Princeton St. Orlando, FL 32803.) Uncork your inner sommelier and scientist at one of Orlando’s most unique wine and food events. Science of Wine, presented by Southern Glazer’s Wines and Spirits, allows you to experience the science behind the taste and body of your favorite wines. Dine on hand-selected pairings provided by some of Orlando’s best restaurants. Ready your mind and palate for a night of wining, dining and learning.

The Science of Wine raises critical funds to provide operating support for educational programs and opportunities for science learners of all ages to experience the fun and discovery of Orlando Science Center.

Sample more than 150 wines from the world’s major regions and dishes from more than 20 Orlando-area culinary partners

Learn how to taste like a pro with Julie Pepi at Science of Wine Idol (Less than 20 seats remaining!) Become an expert on perfect pairing at the Swine and Sons Provisions cooking demo- Limited seating available

Learn to create healthy, wine-inspired desserts with Kristine Thomas

Participate in live entertainment like creating a wine-themed canvas painting and cigar rolling

Bid in our silent auction to support the mission of Orlando Science Center–to inspire science learning for life

7pm to 9pm $7 per class. Dance Orlando Festival 2017. ME Theatre (Marshall Ellis Theatre) 1300 La Quinta Drive #3, Orlando, Florida 32809. A festival to showcase the versatility of dance as an art form ORLANDO, Fla.

The ME Dance company will present its 2nd I Dance Orlando Festival, Orlando’s first arts festival to solely explore the art of dance to its richest extent. Registration for the dance festival has opened for all local and regional dance schools and companies interested in participating.

The event will take place April 29 and 30, 2017 at the state-of-the-art ME Theatre, which is specially equipped for dance performances of all kinds. I Dance Orlando Festival was introduced to bring together the local community of dancers,choreographers, performers, educators and students in a cooperative manner that will allow them to perform new works and also inspire and educate the public through dance.

The festival aspires to create an environment for students and artists to cultivate their talent and artistry to its fullest potential, all while strengthening public appreciation and support for this unique and vast art form.

“The I Dance Orlando Festival is designed to offer a supportive, non-judgmental atmosphere aimed at cultivating a creative exchange of ideas,” says Marshall Ellis, founder and artistic director of ME Dance and concept designer for the festival. “The festival will encourage artists to explore new grounds, offer a creative outlet, and also provide both local artists and the public the opportunity to experience dance in a new way.”Throughout the festival, the ME Dance School will host open, drop-in classes (no registration needed) for the general public for the deeply discounted price of only $7 per class.

7pm to 10pm SAFE Words Slam FINALS! Henao Contemporary Center 5601 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, Florida 32810. This event will determine a team of 4 poets that will represent Orlando at the 2017 National Poetry Slam in Denver, CO.

Sunday April 30, 2017.

Noon to 1pm Free. Yoga. Lake Eola near red gazibo.

Noon to 3pm Donation. Music at the Casa. Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, 656 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789. Harpist Catherine Way.

10pm to midnight Free but get a coffee.  Solo Acoustic Spoken Word. Natura Coffee & Tea, 12078 Collegiate Way, Orlando, FL, United States. Every Sunday.

Science Center Talk about OSIRUS-Rex.

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At Live from Orlando, It’s Science Night Live! Out of this World Space Edition! at the Orlando Science Center, (777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803), Dr. Campins spoke about OSIRIS-REx, is an exploratory spacecraft which will intersect with asteroid Bennu to collect surface dust to be returned to Earth for analysis. He showed slides of the spacecraft’s sterile construction. The craft has been in it’s Outbound Cruise Phase since Sept. 8, 2016. Bennu is about 600 feet in diameter which means it rotates slow enough so that surface dust should be still intact..

It Completed Earth-Trojan Asteroid Search around the L4 Earth-sun Lagrange Point on Feb. 20, 2017.  Although no new Earth Trojans were discovered,
the spacecraft’s camera operated flawlessly and demonstrated that it
could image objects two magnitudes dimmer than originally expected.

Completed six-month instrument calibrations in March 2017.

Live from Orlando, It’s Science Night Live! Out of this World Space Edition!

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At Live from Orlando, It’s Science Night Live! Out of this World Space Edition, held at at Orlando Science Center, (777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803.) Dr. Campins spoke to guests at Science on a Sphere (the floating orb on Level 4) for about an hour before his official presentation talking about the OSIRUs-REx mission one-on-one with people. This mission sending a satellite to intercept an  asteroid approaching to Earth. When the craft gets close enough an arm will extend and and slap the  asteroid will raise particles which will then be Earth. The composition should give hints about the earliest history the solar system.

Dr. Campins instrumental in bringing the project to reality. target asteroid is named Bennu which is a B-type asteroid with a 500 meter
diameter. It completes an orbit around the Sun every 1.2
years and every 6 years comes very close to Earth.
These close encounters give Bennu a high probability of impacting Earth
in the late 22nd century. Bennu’s size, primitive composition, and
potentially hazardous orbit make it one of the most fascinating and
accessible Near-Earth Objects and the ideal OSIRIS-REx target asteroid.

A tall woman made hand shadow puppets on the globe as people asked questions mission.

Curator of Exhibitions and Collections Pamela Schwartz.

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I first met Pamela Schwartz, The Orange County Regional History Center Chief Curator three months after the horrific Pulse Nightclub shooting that took 49 lives. I had contacted artist, and History Center Collections manager Whitney Broadaway, about sketching interviews with survivors, family of victims and first responders. It just so happened that Pamela was beginning interviews, so the collaboration made perfect sense. Pamela is an artist herself, so she understood what I do.

Pamela had been working as the History Center museum curator for just four months when the Pulse shooting happened. As politicians and first responders scrambled for a course of action, Pam was making plans on how the History Center could play a role in preserving the history that was unfolding. Multiple memorials were appearing with people leaving flowers candles and personal mementos. Rather than have all these items end up in a landfill, Pamela spearheaded an effort to collect, preserve and catalogue all of the thousands of items in the museum archives.

The collections work happened under grueling conditions in the height of the Florida summer heat. It was thankless work since not everyone understood or appreciated what the museum staff was doing. To date over five thousand items are still being preserved and catalogued. In this sketch Pamela is working late at night cataloguing the 49 crosses that were left at Lake Beauty next to the Orlando Regional Medical Center where people were treated after the shooting. After being collected, each cross was placed in a specially made archival box with a clear front. All of the memorial items left at each cross would fit in another box that slips behind the cross inside the box, keeping everything together. Preservation of the crosses was a challenge since they weren’t built to last. Pamela took photos of each cross when they were at the hospital, showing them the first day and then sequentially with memorial items added over time. A large online database was created where memorial items can be seen. The crosses were supposed to go on public display 6 months after the shooting but Hurricane Mathew shut down those plans and canceled the Pride Parade. With one year fast approaching this June, the crosses are once again being considered as a symbolic centerpiece to honor each of the victims.

On Pam’s desk are several EMS and fire department rainbow patches which were custom made to honor the senseless loss of life. It is just one example of the many small gestures that people continue to make in order to deal in some way with the tragedy. Such items are often sent straight to the museum since only the memorial at Pulse remains. Lake Eola and the memorial at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts have since been collected and are now being preserved.

On this night the subject for the interview didn’t show up, so I sketched Pam at work. She entertained me with stories about her family in the midwest. She has been working in museums since she was 14,  so she was immediately up to the challenge when the Pulse Tragedy occurred. Interviews are still being conducted and likely will continue for years to come. Not everyone is ready to talk about that night. Just locating people is a challenge. Some wounds may never heal. I feel fortunate to be using my art to help document this story.

Orlando Traveling Mural Meeting.

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The Orlando Traveling Mural meeting was held on the second floor at Sam Flax. Colleen Ardaman moderated. I arrived a bit late and the meeting was well underway. Several news stations were there along with survivors, and family of victims of the Pulse nightclub shooting. Some of the painting s of victims were hung on the wall behind a panel of people involved in the project. The fact that this mural will help memorialize the people lost was stresses by Mayra, the mother of Amanda Alvear who was tragically shot that evening of June 12. Colleen mistook the portrait above Mayra’s head for Amanda, but it was Amanda’s best friend Mercedes who also died that night. Amanda may have been able to escape that evening but she went back for her friend according to Amanda’s brother.

Much of the meeting was an opportunity to express the good will surrounding the project. People directly affected by the tragedy will be adding hand prints to the panels to allow everyone to contribute as a community. Coleen handed out sea shells to everyone in the room. She explained that the shell was a reminder of the living being that once inhabited it. The mural would act as a similar reminder.

The survivors sat in front of me at the meeting. A female newscaster crawled close to them so she could hear their names. I write the names down and hope to meet each someday. India Cedeno, a Pulse shooting survivor, said she also survived 9/11 in NYC. She began to recount how she and her son had escaped the club that night. As she spoke, she got choked up. Christopher Hanson another shooting survivor comforted her. As she recovered she explained that she was overwhelmed by the love in the room. I still don’t know if art can heal, the talk rings shallow to me, but it is bringing people together which in itself opens doors and breaks down isolating barriers.