Black Rock opens on Conroy Windermere Road.

Posted on by Thor

I teach an Urban Sketching Course at Elite Animation Academy (8933 Conroy Windermere Rd, Orlando, FL 32835). The main premise l to encourage students to keep a sketch pad with them at all times, so they can document the everyday moments of the lives. How often have you gone to a restaurant and found the wait time intolerable? If you sketched then it would see like the service is always too good since you don’t quite have enough time to finish the sketch you started. To a sketch artist sitting still, I work seems to us by. The challenge is to catch enough of those moments to bring the sketch alive. In this sketch, those two servers in aprons never actually stood and spoke to each other. Each was speaking to some one else who walked away before they could be captured. As the artist, I get to decide who interacts to each other in my world.

Service was actually very good at Black Rock (8965 Conroy Windermere Rd, Orlando, FL 32819). The restaurant gets it’s name from the sizzling steak it serves on literal hot rocks. I think the rock keep the steaks hot longer. I didn’t order a steak. I was here with my three Urban Sketches to sample an appetizer and to sketch. This was the final class so we pulled out all the stops using co to as well as line. Watercolor doesn’t hold up very well on | thin animation paper use in class, so I encouraged the student to try colored pencils to add color. I played along with them doing this sketch to show how I might approach the scene. The scene incorporate foreground, middle ground and background.

We had guacamole which was also served in a black rock dish. I can say that the appetizer was quite good, and I hope to return someday to try a full meal. The food certainly smelled delicious as servers walked past with the sizzling meals.

Giddy Up Go at the Wedding of KC and Bob.

Posted on by Thor

 

After the quick wedding of KC Cali and Bob Szafranski in the back room at Elixir (9 W Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801), the wedding party moved up into the bar area. There the order of business was socializing and Country music. Giddy Up Go began to perform on the small stage at the front of the room. Most guests kept their distance and shouted above the music. I talked to the artists that KC had invited. Then I walked into the bar to survey the scene. I’m recently separated, I should work the room and try and meet some new people. I never quite feel comfortable in loud shouting matches at bars.  Instead, I nestled up close to the band, leaned against a pillar and sketched. Any stress melted away.

Kelly and Courtney Jean Canova arrived during the reception, and began to shoot wedding photos. The large group family photos were shot just to my left. I had to watch my feet to avoid tripping anyone up. Two women at the end of the bar were loving the music. They shouted and whooped. I was surprised no one danced while I was working on the sketch. I tapped my toes the whole time. There is something reassuring about Old time country music. You don’t have to think too hard.

Giddy Up Go’s music hearkens back to the style of country that was played in smokey
ol’ honky tonk bars for patrons tryin’ to forget their troubles. From
Waylon to Willie, from Buck Owens to Hank Williams, they travel back
down that “lonesome highway”.

I had to rush off to Hamburger Mary’s to meet and sketch a survivor of the Pulse Nightclub tragedy. It was a whirlwind day of celebration and reflection of unity, love, and loss.

Wedding of KC Cali and Bob Szafranski

Posted on by Thor

KC Cali is a local artist who is a member of Orlando Urban Sketches. Her paintings range from country scenes to bold and large nudes. She and Bob Szafranski have been together for years, through rough times and good times. She confided that when Bob asked her to marry him she cried. As she put it, this wasn’t her first rodeo. She has two daughters from her first marriage, Kit and Liz Cali. Both girls have left the nest and are making their own way in the world. Bob also has a daughter from his first marriage.

The wedding was at Elixir downtown (9 W Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801). There is a quaint, barn like room in the back of the bar. KC warned me that the we did was going to be fast, no more than 7 minutes. What?! I usually take two hours to finish a sketch! I immediately sat down and started blocking in the room. KC’s daughter Liz, was thankfully 20 minutes late which bought me the time needed to set the scene.

When the wedding march finally began, everyone stood and turned to watch the bride walk down the aisle. I kept sketching. Every one kept standing through the entire ceremony. I was faced with a wall of backs. I decided to move my seat out in to the aisle. I was probably a fire hazard but, I had a sketch to finish.

It is reassuring to see a couple reach out to each other once again putting their faith and hopes in marriage. Life is short. We all need to believe in the power of love.

Thea’s Golden Life in When Shadows Fall.

Posted on by Thor

When Shadows Fall is an exciting new form of interactive entertainment
that combines live performance with high-tech interactions and immersive
environments to create a unique experience like no other. You explore a hyper-real world with shocking visual elements, live professional actors,
couture costumes, a rousing original musical score, cinematic lighting,
and high-tech interactions that bring familiar video game mechanics to
real life.

I have been sketching at each performance, situating myself in one spot rather than exploring the entire labyrinth. Golds are the elite of Penumbra, an ideal futurist society. They are intellectuals and artists. I should fit right in. To my right was a table with a bowl of half used oil paint tubes. Whoever resided in this room must be an artist herself, or have artist friends.

Thea, (Laura Lewis) entered the room, sat on the couch and began reading a book. She wore a gorgeous gold dress and her skin glittered. She turned to me, and said, ” You are my artist friend.” My roll was cast. Several new citizens entered the room and Thea showed them her room. She was very welcoming. One new citizen started looking through books and tried to piece together ripped up shreds of paper. I was asked if the paper was an important document and I respond that it wasn’t important to me. I didn’t even include it in my sketch. One citizen wanted to see my sketch, so I turned it around and showed everyone. Thea was impressed with how I sketched her donkey. She then opened a drawer on her dresser to show her guests that she had been sketched many times before.

A golden angel held a small vile. It contained a potent drug and Thea offered some to her guests. One guest described it as “pure bliss.” They then went in to the next room of Thea’s flat. I had peeked in before I started my sketch. The room contained a large wooden X with leather wrist and ankle straps. Assorted whips and other sexually deviant toys were scattered around. The door clicked closed. I continued to sketch but was distracted by screams of pain or pleasure.  I heard the whoosh and snap as the whip met flesh. After an eternity of screams, Thea returned with her guests. She was so pleased that they had been so willing to play along. I wasn’t sure it they had been voyeurs, whippers or whippies.

K. Alexander was the founding father of Penumbra. His sudden death swept through the society. A representative from the office entered Thea’s suite and asked her to come in for questioning. She left feeling elated that she was finally taking a greater roll in the society. I continued painting the now empty room alone. Two members of Security entered the room. One asked “Are you a citizen?” I responded, “I am.” She said, “Wait outside, Harlan (Brett Carson) might have questions for you.”   Harlan glanced at me with my iPad and didn’t consider me a threat. When his minion returned, I re-entered the gold quarters and got back to work. I worked until all the lights went dark.

Out in the public town square everyone was assembled. I’m amazed that the outcome of each evening is completely unique. I will not give away details, but I was upset to find out that Golds had been tortured. Thea had seemed so radiant when she left.

Only two performance remain of When Shadows Fall. Every show has been selling out.  Tickets

Friday September 9th, at 8pm is a new show that was just added.

Saturday September 10th at 8PM is SOLD OUT

Weekend Top 6 Picks for September 10th and 11th.

Posted on by Thor

Saturday September 10, 2016 

7:30AM to 9:30AM Free to observe. Tunnel to Towers 5K Run and Walk. Cranes Roost Park 274 Cranes Roost Blvd, Altamonte Springs, Florida 32701. The Tunnel to Towers Run & Walk Series was created to honor the heroic life and death of Stephen Siller, a New York City firefighter (FDNY) who lost his life on September 11, 2001 after strapping on his gear and running through the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel to the Twin Towers.

Honor all of those who lost their lives on September 11, 2001 and support our first responders and military who make extraordinary sacrifices in the line of duty! For more information on the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation please visit www.tunnel2towers.org

2PM to 6PM Free. Snap! Space presents : ‘Corpus’ Artists Talk. Tickets 

2:30 PM : Marwane Pallas (France)

3:00 PM : Cristina Troufa (Portugal)

3:30 PM : David Cata (Spain)

4:00 PM : Roger Weiss (Switzerland)

4:30 PM : Jorg Heidenberger (Germany)

5:00 PM : Nicolas Senegas (France)

‘CORPUS’ : A contemporary representation of the human body, reflected by six international artists. The body has figured prominently in the creative expression of nearly all cultures from the beginning of civilization. Through art, the body becomes a site for defining individual identity and experimenting with the nature of representation itself, sometimes with the artists using their own bodies in their creative process.

View exhibition and artist info.

8PM to 10PM Tickets $45.95 or VIP $74.84 When Shadows Fall, takes place in an undisclosed private location in Orlando, Florida. Upon buying a ticket, you will receive the address.  

Explore 15,000 square feet of shocking visuals in a groundbreaking first-person experience.

When
Shadows Fall is an exciting new form of interactive entertainment that
combines live performance with high-tech interactions and immersive
environments to create a unique experience like no other. Explore a
hyperreal world with shocking visual elements, live professional actors,
couture costumes, a rousing original musical score, cinematic lighting,
and high-tech interactions that bring familiar video game mechanics to
real life.

Sunday September 11, 2016 

Noon to 2PM Donation based Community YogART class: 7 Chakra series. Artegon Marketplace 5250 International Dr, Orlando, Florida 32819. Every 2nd Sunday of the month YogART will be hosting FREE Color Therapy Yoga classes for the community at Artegon Marketplace (located in the community room across from section B6 – use movie theater entrance)

We are excited to bring you our “7 Chakra Series” that will focus each class on each individual chakra: breaking down it’s color, meaning, location and function. This particular class will revolve around our second major energy point known as “The Sacral Chakra”.

Color Therapy glasses will also be provided for those who wish to experience the effects of color therapy. Orange will be the primary focus for our Root Chakra but you may wear any color you want to work with.

This is an ALL LEVELS class which incorporates stretching, breathing exercises and light yoga poses geared around the Sacral Chakra.

We also have a color wheel on our site that explains the benefit of each color (glasses) Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. http://www.yogartinc.com/color-therapy-chart/

Please bring your own yoga mat and prepare to unwind

Check out our lovely YogART instructor’s website for more info on her, and some great articles. *Any children who attend must be able to participate in the session quietly to respect the space of other guests. If your child is unable to partake without disruption we ask that you please refrain from bringing them. Thank you! Namaste ~

For more info contact us.

1PM to 4:30PM Free Family Day on the Second Sunday. The Mennello Museum of American Art, 900 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL 32803. The make-and-take craft table is open from noon-2:30 p.m., and docents are available to give mini-tours of the museum. Then it’s open house in the galleries until 4:30 p.m.

6PM to 9PM Free. Orlando Urban Sketchers Pulse Sketch Outing.  Pulse 1912 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32806.  With the sunset at 7:35 pm this evening should offer time to sketch during this golden hour.
Bring your sketchbook, sketch pad, colors, pens and pencils and join us
for an evening of reflection and creativity. Also consider bringing a
folding stool along.
We will meet At the Pulse sign. The
makeshift memorial occupies the entire sidewalk in from of the
nightclub. Cement construction baricades protect people from the Orange
Avenue traffic. There is no shade, so bring a hat, sunscreen and maybe
even an umbrella. The site has become a place where tourists and locals
pay their respects and leave something behind.
Pulse is a gay
bar, dance club, and nightclub in Orlando, Florida, founded in 2004 by
Barbara Poma and Ron Legler. On June 12, 2016,
the club gained international attention as it was the scene of the
deadliest mass shooting by a single gunman in U.S. history, and the
deadliest terrorist attack on U.S. soil since the events of September
11, 2001. 49 people were killed and 53 were injured.
We will
look for stories to document in our sketchbooks, sharing three hours of
inspiration with people with the same passion for drawing. No previous
experience in sketching is required. Invite friends or family members,
whoever likes to sketch from direct observation.
This
gathering does not include onsite instructions and it is free of charge
to all participants. Thor, of Analog Artist Digital World, will be
hosting this sketch outing.
After we are done sketching we
will head across the street to Einstein Brothers Begals (1901 S Orange
Ave, Orlando, FL) to get a drink and or bite, and share our sketches.
Looking forward to seeing you,
The Orlando Urban Sketchers team

When Shadows Fall, the Minotaur’s Madness.

Posted on by Thor

The redrum appealed to me the first time I experienced When Shadows Fall. I had been assigned to assist Daedalus (Joe Hall) when I first became a citizen of Penumbra. My tasks never brought me back to this hidden sanctum. I discovered it later as I walked room to room during the first evening’s cast party. I needed to sketch this red asylum and thankfully the producers (Sarah Elger and Ricky Brigante) were on board with the idea.

The Minotaur, named Nathanael, (John Reid Adams) was in character from the moment he entered the room. I was cast as an artist, a member of the gold caste of the society, sent by the office to observe his activities. He paced the room and dug his nails into the wall, carving in sayings like “Why” and “What is the point?” Eyes mere everywhere to watch in his movements. When he heard that K. Alexander, Penumbra’s founder, had been killed he became quit distraught. Nathanael had been a gold member of society and a close friend of K. Alexander. Alexander’s son Nikolai, (Barry Wright), became jealous of the attention his father bestowed upon Nathanial. Nikolai convinced his father to have Nathanial become part of the Citizen’s Project, to be transformed in to a Greek godlike being. The surgery went wrong, and Nathanael, now the Minotaur, became mentally unstable and was banished to the Labyrinth.

Despite his abandonment and isolation, the Minotaur remained faithful to K. Alexander, and hoped someday to return and become a productive member of Penumbra society. In a sudden fit of rage, the Minotaur punched the a hole the wall. His knuckles were covered in blood. Much of his angst went unobserved by other citizens. He suffered silently alone, except for the watchful eyes of an artist. Odessa, with hair like Medussa, (Cassandra Heinrich), entered. She was startled by my presence. The Minotaur explained that I had been sent to observe. She saw his bloodied hand and was concerned. She turned to me in rage, “You saw him do this to himself and you did nothing!” I sheepishly explained that I was just there to observe. Odessa had also been a member of the gold caste of society. She comforted so many who suffered and share her fate. I was surprised that this tender moment went unobserved except by me. 


The Minotaur was forcibly removed from his red room and dragged off to surgery. The thugs tried to calm him, “It is for your own good.” He returned much late and his broken horn was now restored. Perhaps the surgery had indeed been to his benefit. By remaining still, I managed to discover that the Minotaur wasn’t a monster. He was an intellectual, and a romantic idealist. He envisioned Penumbra as the perfect society even though that society cast him aside. 


When Shadows Fall tickets have been selling out.

Only two performance remain of When Shadows Fall. Every show has been selling out. 

Friday September 9th, at 8pm is a new show that was just added.

Saturday September 10th at 8PM is SOLD OUT

Don’t
miss this unique interactive theater experience. Leave your material
and spiritual insecurities on the outside. Consider Penumbra your new
home.

Auditions for “Dracula” by Steven Dietz.

Posted on by Thor

Auditions at Carmine Boutique (2708 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida) were a grim and macabre affair. A skinned raccoon was draped over an ottoman. Skulls of every shape and size were tucked away in a curio cabinet. Outside it was pouring rain. Lightning and thunder sparked life in the cadavers on display. This is probably the type of scene that runs through every actors mind as they face the horror of a cold read. Many of the women wore black dresses as if for a funeral. A store salesman offered to show me any item up close. This place really is a sketchers paradise.

Actors filled out forms and then waited for their moment to get on stage. Groups of about ten actors at a time were called to the back room. When they returned they were pumped for in formation about what by in the back of the store. Some actors were asked to stay, while others faced the elements as they rushed back to their cars on this grey miserable and wet day. When the potent-is cast had been narrowed down, all the actors sat in the back room, Edwardian Bar and scenes were rehearsed, with each actors trying out different rolls.

This October, Jeremy Seghers will direct Steven Dietz‘s adaptation of “Dracula” at Carmine Boutique. Staged in an Edwardian fetish bar surrounded by oddities and antiques, this “Dracula” is dark and creepy and, unlike other versions, stays very faithful to Bram Stoker’s novel. This macabre and twisted tale will be told in a twisted and unique boutique. This is the show to catch this October as we approach Halloween.

Tickets. 

Dates are: 

October 6, 2016 at 8pm

October 7, 2016 at 8pm

October 8, 2016 at 8pm

October 9, 2016 at 8pm

October 10, 2016 at 8pm

October 13, 2016 at 8pm

October 14, 2016 at 8pm

October 15, 2016 at 8pm

Dracula

Posted on by Thor

I went to Carmine Boutique (2708 N Orange Blossom Trail, Orlando, Florida) to sketch auditions for Dracula. If you haven’t been to Carmine Boutique, you need to experience it for yourself. They have a wide assortment of the odd and macabre. Behind me were pickled baby pigs in jars, a skeleton in the corner was of Siamese twins. In the back of the store is this stage along with an Edwardian fetish bar. A large poster behind the stage had an average man and a tiny woman, no taller than the penguin pictured. The poster announced, “They are married” My own marriage was crumbling. It was pouring rain outside. The loud thunder rattled the oddities adding to the mood.

I got to see how different actors fleshed out the same parts. I don’t know how a director decides with so many talented options. Yet in some moments, an actor no longer seems to be acting. They are the character. I always fall in to I always fall in love with certain performances and I am hopeful to see them in the final production.

Jeremy Seghers will breathe
new life into Bram Stoker‘s Gothic horror classic with Steven
Dietz‘s critically acclaimed adaptation of Dracula. Set exclusively at
Carmine Boutique – an antiques, oddities, and taxidermy shop featuring
an Edwardian fetish club – this immersive staging will bring the count,
his brides, and the blood dangerously close to the audience. Due to the
intense nature of the production, no one under the age of 13 will be
permitted without a guardian. 

If you are a Halloween fanatic like myself, then this is the perfect way to warm up to the horrors of the season.

Tickets. 

Dates are: 

October 6, 2016 at 8pm

October 7, 2016 at 8pm

October 8, 2016 at 8pm

October 9, 2016 at 8pm

October 10, 2016 at 8pm

October 13, 2016 at 8pm

October 14, 2016 at 8pm

October 15, 2016 at 8pm

Young Frankenstein at the Historic State Theater

Posted on by Thor

Only two days after the shooting at Pulse, I went to the Historic State Theater, (109 N Bay St. Eustis, FL) to see a dress rehearsal of Young Frankenstein directed by Brendon Rogers.  Crysta Marie, made the arrangements to have me come and sketch. She made me feel right at home. Brendon told me about an animated project that was still in the development stages.

I am quite familiar with the Mel Brooks, Young Frankenstein film, but had never seen the music at stage production. The set wasn’t complete, and some props were still needed, but it was a clean run of the show. In my sketch, I focused on , doctor’s sexy assistant, and then when I drew his wife, she turned out to be monstrously tall. She is as tall as the monster himself and therefor they seem a perfect match.

The Monster’s soft shoe stage routine might have made a more iconic image, but I catch what I catch in the heat of the moment.  I worked from the upper balcony which is just used for lighting equipment and storage. The riot of wires and lights would have made for another great sketch. There just wasn’t enough time. Distracted by the barrage of Pulse related vigils and fundraisers I unfortunately didn’t post this sketch in time to promote the show. Those who went most have had a fun time.Shockingly, I wrote this article on the d that Gene Wilder died at the age of 83. I didn’t know it at the time, it just showed up as I was doing other research. Rest in Peace Gene, you we a comic genius.

Ryan Dustin at the Kerouac House.

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Ryan Dustin has been the resident author at the Kerouac House for the last several months. Writers are given a three-month residency. Each writer is provided free
lodging at the house, along with a food stipend so they can concentrate
fully on their work. To date 51 writers-in-residence from the United
States and several other countries have spent time at the Kerouac House
working on their projects.

Ryan is working on his first novel, called, “The Horse Mender.” It is set in a post apocalyptic world where people are trying to find ways to farm sustainability. A blue sketch of Jack Kerouac peered out over Ryan’s should as he read. Prior to starting this novel, Ryan strictly wrote poetry. A poem might take several hours to complete and then he needed to find something to do for the rest of the day. A novel however is a project that is ruthlessly on going.  He might complete six pages a day if he focused completely for the entire duration. As he put it, “Writing a novel is a bit crazy.” In the morning as he is lying in bed, thoughts might occur to him about what he should write about that day. Having uninterrupted open expanses of time can change your perspective. It is easy for the usual everyday chores to get in the way of a steadfast focus.

Ryan’s shirt was exquisitely wrinkled. I have no doubt that Jack’s shirts sported the same level of abandon. I don’t want to give away any aspect of the book, but the female lead was a romantic who had grown accustomed to living alone. This character appealed to me. She seemed to fit in perfectly with the sun scorched landscape. Her heart, being so protected seemed to hold the most promise in such a harsh world.