Mennello Museum

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I’ve been doing sketches around the Mennello Art Museum (900 East Princeton Street Orlando FL) for possible use in a 2014 brochure about the museum’s 15th anniversary. The museum will be kicking off the New Year with new exhibitions. Reader Diane Crispin won two free tickets by answering the trivia question right on the December 23rd AADW post. The Mennello Museum is the first venue to showcase the traveling exhibition based on the memoirs of Rob Storter (1894-1987),
which were published in 2000 as the book “Crackers in the Glade.”
Storter came from a family of early settlers in the village of
Everglade. He was a self-taught artist and sketched pictures of his
rural lifestyle and environment, and annotated them with stories, often
bemoaning the wilderness that was being lost to development. This exhibit ran through January 5th.

Mark your Calendars! Saturday and Sunday, January 4 and 5
Museums on Us Weekend

Holders of Bank of America/Merrill Lynch credit cards
receive free admission with the presentation of their cards and photo
ID.

Sunday, January 12
Free Family Day on the Second Sunday: Earl Cunningham Edition

The make-and-take craft table is open from noon-2:30
p.m., and docents are available for mini-tours of the museum. Then it’s
open house in the galleries until 4:30 p.m.

Friday, January 17
Exhibition opens,
Southwestern Allure: The Art of the Sante Fe Art Colony

Friday, January 31
Opening reception and 15th Anniversary Kick-off

6-8 p.m. $5, free to MMAA members; reservations requested
Southwestern Allure: The Art of the Sante Fe Art Colony 

Saturday and Sunday, February 9 and 10
Orlando Folk Festival, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., free

The 12th annual celebration of music and art on the shores of Lake
Formosa brings together an eclectic mix of creative talent, plus
hands-on arts and crafts activities for children. Find the list of
participating musicians and artists as well as other updates at
orlandofolkfestival.wordpress.com.

2013 Top Five Sketches

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1. Into Darkness. November 9, 2013. With 42% of the votes.

 2. Circus Protests. January 12, 2013. With 21% of the votes.

3. FAVO. January 28, 2013. (Tie) With 14% of the votes.

3. Garden Theatre. July 23, 2013. (Tie) With 14% of the votes.

3. I Believe in You Performance, Art and Dance Party. September 23, 2013. (Tie) With 14% of the votes.

3. How the Mall Stole Christmas. December 7, 2013. (Tie) With 14% of the votes.

4. Fake Landlord Scam. June 18, 2013. (Tie) With 7% of the votes.

4. Clandestine Arts, Sweeny Todd Auditions. November 7, 2013. (Tie) With 7% of the votes.

4.  My Way. November 12, 2013. (Tie) With 7% of the votes.

5. 13 in 13. January 14, 2013. With 0% of the votes.

Mozart’s Requiem

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As part of the Bach Festival there was a choral concert at Tiedeke Concert Hall. What was unique about this performance is that the entire audience was given sheet music for Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Requiem. Music stands at the front of the hall divided the audience into three singing sections. The alto’s were closest to where I stood to draw. Dr. John V. Sinclair, the Bach Festival’s Artistic Director, conducted from the stage while lead singers for each section stood around him.

The requiem is absolutely sublime  and moving with so many voices raised in unison.  This music stands the test of time. Of course having a full orchestra would have made the performance even more stunning, but there is something magical in having so many voices, trained and untrained coming together to perform this piece. The entire Requiem is close to an hour long, but I think only an excerpt was performed on this evening. 

 Mozart’s health faltered as he worked on the requiem. A famous anecdote from his wife, Constanze, is related in Niemetschek‘s early biography: On his return to Vienna, his (Mozart’s) indisposition increased visibly and made
him gloomily depressed. His wife was truly distressed over this. One
day when she was driving in the Prater
with him, to give him a little distraction and amusement, and they were
sitting by themselves, Mozart began to speak of death, and declared
that he was writing the Requiem for himself. Tears came to the eyes of
the sensitive man: ‘I feel definitely,’ he continued, ‘that I will not
last much longer; I am sure I have been poisoned. I cannot rid myself of
this idea.’

At the time of his death, Mozart had many outstanding debts, but the myth that he was buried in a pauper’s grave is false.  His wife arranged to sell his compositions and over time she became financially secure. Mozart’s musical reputation rose after his death with unprecedented enthusiasm for his music. This dark brooding music is the masterpiece of the child prodigy who died far too young at the age of 35. Imagine creating something so beautiful, that people still feel compelled to perform and share it over two hundred years after your death. A toast to art.

Sketching in the Attic

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I used to attend sketch sessions in the Attic of the Martin’s home in Winter Park. Mary Martin was always there to supervise, but Bernie Martin was never there. I guess he prefers to work from models alone. In these sessions the models were nude with shorter one minute sketches in the beginning and longer sketches later in the evening. I always enjoyed these sessions but there is usually some event going on the same evening so overtime, I stopped going, preferring to sketch the chaos of everyday life.

On one occasion I bumped into Bernie Martin while I was sketching in Falcon Bar. He decided to sketch as well. I found out that models cost about $12 per hour. I’m considering the notion of hiring models to start producing more finished paintings. Sketching on location is rewarding, but any event seldom goes on for more than two hours. Some painters can work on a painting for months. It would be nice to give myself the luxury of models and more time. Perhaps that should be my goal moving into the New Year.

On New Year’s Day, Terry and I are hosting an all day black and white themed party celebrating Analog Artist Digital World’s 5 year anniversary.  We supply the beers, bagels, lox and cream
cheese and food. Kelly DeWayne Richards will be performing on the piano.
The party starts at 1pm and goes to 11pm. Consider this post an invitation. Please call 407 810-4189 to RSVP and come on out.

Writing Workshop

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Patricia Charpentier had a writing workshop on the beautiful shores of Lake Adar in Orlando. The dozen or so participants scattered along the shores to find their private bucolic spot in which to write. I sketched a woman writing in her yellow legal pad. I liked the fact that she used a simple pencil to write down her thoughts. Other students used laptops. I seldom use and digital devise to sketch since the idea that the battery might die is just too stressful. The last thing I need is to start a sketch and then have the screen go dark before the sketch is done. It has happened enough times to keep me using pen and paper.

The writers gathered together when they were done to share their work. Every story was inspired in some way by the setting. There are thousands of these scenic lakes scattered throughout Central Florida. I spend most of my time trying to find roads that snake around the lakes as I make my way to venues. Once in a while it is nice to stop and linger, especially since it is cold enough up north for snow.

500 Days of Summer

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While traveling I’ll be posting sketches from that were not posted from 2009. This sketch was done at the Enzian Theater before seeing 500 Days of Summer. The film was about a summer romance. The guy was head over heels in love but the girl didn’t believe in love. She went through the motions but in the end dumped the guy after 500 days. It was an annoying premise. Soon after, she did fall head over heels in love but with someone else. I wanted to see the movie because it showed the guy sketching on the movie poster. In the final scene the unlucky lover was sketching buildings with contentment like a true Urban Sketcher. Who needs love when you have a pencil and paper? A sketch is sure to meet expectations.

At a gas station yesterday I spoke with another guy pumping gas. He was heading to New Orleans, having come from Miami. His brother worked as an armored car driver in New Orleans. Several days ago, his brother was shot dead the second he opened the armored truck door by three gunmen. There is a $50,000 reward for anyone with information that leads to the arrest of the killers and thieves.  So this guy and his wife were on their way to his brothers funeral a few days before Christmas. The killing was senseless and the couple at the gas station had many more miles to drive before meeting family at the funeral. He showed me the news footage on his cell phone. I’m not sure why he shared so much. Perhaps that much grief needs to be shared. Live every moment. Life is precious and short.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

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Saturday December 28, 2013

7pm-9pm Free Music. One Flight Up (440 N Donnelly Street, Mount Dora FL 32757.)

7:30pm-11pm Free Contra Dancing. Secret Lake Park, (200 N Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry, FL.) Contra dance is … Easier than walking. More exercise than jogging. More fun than you can imagine. All Ages Welcome – Instruction Provided at 7:30pm. No partners necessary. Monthly on the Last Saturday – 8 to 11pm.

8pm-Midnight $10. Acme After Hours: TRANSFORMERS Art Party with Defenz Mechanizm! Acme Superstore (905 E. SR 434, Longwood, Florida 32750.) 21+ with an ID Free Beer & Sangria. Megatron grinder acts by local celeb performer, Defenz Mechanizm! www.facebook.com/defenzmechanizm. Cosplay Burlesque, Belly-dancing, Costume Contest, Played Out Podcast, DJs…

Sunday December 29, 2013

 10am-Noon Free Super Joy Riders. Eastern entrance of the Lake Eola Farmers’ Market. You + Superhero Costume + Bike = Best Sunday Ever. We are inviting Orlando to come with us on a fun filled bike ride of awesomeness on the last Sunday of the month. Dress like a superhero, hop on a bike, and follow our scavenger hunt list of Good Deeds as we all try to save the world with small acts of kindness.

5:30pm-9pm $10 Southern Fried Sunday. Will’s Pub (1042 N Mills Ave. Orlando FL). Thomas Wynn and Friends, Hymn for Her, Bad Santa and The Angry Elves and The Bloody Jug Band will be entertaining you with some great music!   BBQ from The Smiling Bison!

9pm-11pm Free Solo Acoustic Spoken Word. Natura Coffee and Tea (12078 Collegiate Way Orlando FL).

Bad Wolf Art Night

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On November 14th I went to the Peacock Room (1321 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, Florida), to find out what Bad wolf art night is all about. Hosted By Kyla Rene’ the event invite explained that, after a one month break, the performers would be back to create some more art. Dancers would be improving to live music. There was no cover at the door. The hours on the invite were 5:30pm to 8pm. This was earlier than most events but I stopped by at 5:30 to have a drink.

The stage in the back room wasn’t set up but there was band equipment packed and ready.  I settled in at a table in the bar and drew the early birds like myself. The owner of the Peacock Room, David Rich was seated at the end of the bar. He took an interest in my sketch and stopped over several times to photograph the sketch in progress. Now I can see why new art is always on display on the walls. David truly loves art. He also works in the Disney Parks in operations. He must be someone who has no need for sleep.

As I was working on the sketch the band equipment was moved out. It was probably 7:30 or so when I was finishing up and there was still no hint of Bad Wolf Art Night so I packed up my art supplies and left. Either I got the date wrong, or the event didn’t start until much later. Either way, I had my sketch already and I headed home.

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Violectric Holiday Concert

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On December 20th there was a free concert by Violectric at the Walt Disney Amphitheatre at Lake Eola Park Orlando, Fl. The concert was presented by the City of Orlando Department of Families, Parks and Recreation. I arrived early to block the stage in my sketch before the performance began. As I was sketching, a guy walked up to me to see what I was up to. He leaned in close and got his nose right up to the sketch page. He remarked that my sketch reminded him of Max Ernst, who was a German surrealist painter. The obscure artistic reference made me think he must be an academic. As he waited for the concert to start, he bounced a tennis ball impatiently. When he bounced the ball onto the stage off the drum set, I began to think something was a bit off about him.

Patty Sheehan introduced the group. She asked the audience if they liked the new art in the park and reminded everyone that the park wasn’t always this nice. Violectric played Christmas tunes that they intermingled with rock and roll covers.  Their white dresses sparkled as they walked out. Even their eye shadow had sequins. At one point they gave two children tambourines so they could back up a performance of Jingle bells. Violetric is strictly an instrumental group so they encouraged the audience to sing along. The guy with the tennis ball belted out the lyrics a bit off key and danced in the isle.

Behind me a guy began cursing loudly, saying he hated this town and everyone in it. He eventually sat right behind me. His hair was wild and unkempt as was his beard. He looked a bit like a psychotic Santa. His cigarette made me cough a few times but I kept sketching. I felt him looking over my shoulder and luckily he refrained from cursing at what I was doing. For one song, the performers advised the audience that was singing along, that there were children in the audience, so they should watch what they sang for the next piece which was that song “Forget you“, the original lyrics were “F*ck you!” The guy seated close to me shouted out, “You talkin’ to me?” “You’re so beautiful, I want to marry you.” One of the performers shot back, “Get in line!” Despite the heckling, the performers always kept smiling. They were pros.

Solos

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On November 15th I went to 2 rehearsal of “Solos“, a play written by Joseph Reed Hayes at the Sandler Training Center (650 S. Northlake Blvd., Suite 430 Altamonte Springs Fl.) The production was part of Joseph’s 13 in 13 challenge, to produce 13 productions in 2013. Though the bar was set high, it seems that Joseph has completed every production he planned at the beginning of the year.

This is how Joseph describes this original play about Ben “Blues” Miller and his wife Ellie…”My
play, Solos, is nothing less than the history of jazz in America, as
told through the relationship of two people, in three movements and a
coda. Ellie’s story is a symphony: a fast, spritely first movement; a
dance-like statement of self; a slow and mournful fugue; a finale that
brings her back to herself; and then resolution and peace, reaffirming
her talent and strength in the coda. Ben, the hip
‘Blue’ Miller, is portrayed by the music; everything you need to know
about him is told by the progression of Ellie’s music, from forceful
swing to cool bebop, dissonant and chaotic free jazz, resolving back to
romantic and lyrical post-modern. Ben in a very real way does not truly
exist until Ellie creates him. If you know nothing about jazz, Solos is
theater, pure and simple, a love story of two people trying to live
through their art and insecurities. If you are familiar with jazz, the
musical hints will provide a little extra gift.”

 Paul Castaneda directed the actors Desiree Perez and Michael Sapp. While Ben Millers career as a jazz trumpeter grew, it became clear that Ellie was the creative force behind his rise. She wrote all the music that helped spark his rise. When he came home to brag about the crowds raw energy, Ella’s mood soured as she sat hoe alone. The characters arcs were always on opposing paths.  She yearned to have the music she wrote recognized but Ben got all the accolades. Though often at odds, the couple were undeniably stronger together. The play followed their relationship through the years. They grew old and matured together despite their differences.

At this rehearsal, the actors were already “off book” but Paul called them out to be fully present in the moment. While one actor was speaking, the other actors thoughts might wander to what they would have to do next. When they are fully, emotionally involved in the scene, that is when the magic happens. Both actors seemed to be living in their character’s skin. The affection and history between them felt very reel. The play will resonate for anyone who has ever felt that their talents were not fully recognized. It is only after the struggles, that the couple realizes how strong they are together.