Walkman Muse

Posted on January 6, 2011February 7, 2022 by Thor

On the third Thursday of December, Asaan “Swamburger” Brooks was in the Redefine Gallery working on a series of canvases showcasing his brand of Urban Art. The evening before he had done a large mural on the wall opposite the one I show him working on in this sketch. Redefine Gallery is in the front room at City Arts Factory. I arrived early to find Swamburger busy at work on a large canvas. He was always willing to take the time to stop and chat when people like myself would interrupt. He gave me a warm handshake and briefly explained the premise of the show. None of the pieces hanging was completely finished. He continued painting throughout the evening and he worked in rotation from one painting to the next. He let the music inspire and guide him. The space in the gallery was tight and there was no where I could stand without standing right in front of a painting, so I stood outside sketching through the glass door. The RE logo was printed on the door. Swamburger used one of the printed invitations as his makeshift palette for the evening. The boom box was constantly playing.

The gallery got more and more crowded as the evening progressed but I kept my focus on Swamburger as he stood on a chair to reach the top of his painting. One of the outdoor vendors introduced himself saying he follows my progress here online. We became instant Facebook friends. Another artist started talking to me about a drum circle down in the Keys that I should get down and sketch someday. All the art in City Arts Factory was on sale for less that $200 that night. After the sketch was complete I wandered through all the galleries getting a bit depressed that artists were willing to sell their work so cheap these days. Outside the mobile art show which is hosted by Mark Baretalli in a rented u-haul truck had a large quilt titled HOARD, by Tess Bonacci which was made from hundreds of stuffed cat hides. For the first time Mark was charging people $1 to walk up the ramp into the truck. Someone lent Brian Feldman $1 so he could walk in and take a look. I didn’t go inside. I met Terry and we went out to get a bite to eat. After dinner, Terry went home and I wandered over to Avalon to see the Group show there. The place was pretty deserted when I arrived but a musician was still playing in the bar area. I considered sketching but figured he would most likely pack it up soon since no one was listening.

Speed Painting

Posted on January 5, 2011February 7, 2022 by Thor

DRIP held a fundraiser for it’s new show titled RIFF at Blank Space (201 East Central Boulevard). Besides musical performances by Britt Daley and Thomas Wynn, visual artists were in the house. Tony Corbitt set up his painter’s easel and put up a large sheet of plywood which had been painted black. He cued up some music and explained that there were no gimmicks in what he was about to do. He then ripped off his shirt, distracting every female in the room. Using a photo and bold splashes of white paint, he quickly painted a portrait of a Kiss band member. I had to sketch just as fast to keep up with his hectic pace. There was non time for planning or delicately balancing the elements, I had to react and throw down lines and tone with abandon.

Later in the evening, dates with DRIP dancers were being auctioned off. Darcy got the hefty sum of $100. Then Michael Sloan one of the male dancers was put up for auction. Bidding started slow and remained slow. a Date with him went for only $25. Seems the ladies were shy about spending their cash for a wonderful night on the town with a talented DRIP dancer. Tony bought in his two speed paintings and auctioned them off. Terry shouted out, asking him to take off his shirt again. He obliged. As expected, his paintings didn’t bring in very high bids.

Thomas Wynn performed “When I Paint My Masterpiece” which I had never heard before. I really loved this piece especially with his single acoustic guitar and deep piercing voice. Jessica Mariko performed an inspired improvisational dance as he played “It’s Alright“. Her movements were yearning and quick reaching for the heavens while grounded to the earth. Her movements at times seemed random and inebriated and at other times purposeful. The last time I had seen her perform solo was at Slingapours and she always amazed me.

RIFF Fundraiser Body Painting

Posted on January 4, 2011February 7, 2022 by Thor

When I arrived at the DRIP Fundraiser at Blank Space, I was told my Melissa Kasper that the dancers were in the back room being painted by Christie Miga. Sure enough, in a narrow back room behind a curtain, Darcie Ricardi was being sectioned off like a beef diagram by Christie. Evan helped me to find a spot where I wedged myself for the duration of the sketch. I thought the marijuana leaf was a nice touch. Different sections could be painted by patrons at the fundraiser with more private parts bringing in the better cash. Christie was still painting as patrons entered the event. There was plenty of joking as the flesh masterpiece took form. When the outlines were finished some prices were added and other prices were left open for barter.

Steven Johnson was the next dancer to be sectioned and priced. He wanted to be pained and sectioned up like a superhero. Painting the cape on his back was the biggest challenge for Christie. When she got to his flesh briefs, he wanted her t paint his cheeks as if he had them clenched. She insisted he model this clenched stance and then she painted his cheeks to match. Someone had blown up a balloon and then let it go and it flew around the space makings its wet sticky noise that startled everyone and caused endless laughter. Darci waited till Steven was finished since she didn’t want to go out on the fund raising floor alone. Later that evening a date with Darci was auctioned off for $100. She was only modestly painted by patrons and she wished more people had painter her since the paint helped keep her warm.

The Censor

Posted on January 3, 2011February 7, 2022 by Thor

Hannah Miller invited a small group of her friends to a birthday dinner at Little Saigon. The dinner conversations were lively and animated. Then the conversation turned to an unexpected topic, namely art censorship in Orlando. Jessica Earley had a painting of hers on exhibit at Pom Poms Tea house as part of a group show called “The Happy Glitter Show.” It is believed that a costumer at the tea house took it upon themselves to censor Jessica’s painting by placing a round bright yellow sticker on the piece. The painting depicts a group of women and written across the chest of one was, “Do the dishes. Feed the cat. Don’t be a C*nt.” Ironically Jessica had already censored herself by placing an * in place of the vowel. The management of Pom Pom’s was very apologetic and they removed the sticker once it was discovered.

As an artist I find the willingness of people in our community to deface and censor artwork very disturbing. Jessica was soft spoken and sincere as she expressed her concerns, “Someone in the community put the sticker on my painting. And business owners are afraid of what the people in our community might think of provocative or questionable art, so they ask that you don’t hang it in their business. We as a community are censoring ourselves and keeping our minds closed.” Her work deals with and respects woman’s issues. “It really is interesting to me, because there are a lot of artists who will portray women in very objectified ways through their art (pin up style art, etc..), and people most often will find this to be OK, because it has sort of seeped into being the norm. But if I make a painting dealing with some real things that women go through, for example, menstruation, then my painting won’t get hung.”

The options for exhibiting artwork in this town are limited to say the least. Artists must face the risk of exhibiting in bustling, sometimes smoke filled restaurants and bars just to get their work seen. The chances of work being damaged escalates in these crowded insecure settings. Now it seems people feel the need to censor and deface art that they do not understand or appreciate. “This blows my mind because I find my work to be quite innocent and respectful to the female. It’s very frustrating, because the work I do is very personal to me, but I’m not trying to be purposefully shocking in any sort of way. I’ve had a few different instances where I’ve felt cheated or censored.” Jessica said.

James Bond New Year’s Dress to Kill

Posted on January 2, 2011February 7, 2022 by Thor

At home I helped Terry apply the last of her golden makeup. Her entire face, neck and hands were covered in golden theatrical paint and she wore a golden one piece dress and carried a golden hand bag. I simply wore a warm golden suit and tie. When we arrived at the Enzian Theater, I picked up our tickets and we went up to the bar to order our complimentary drinks. The drinks consisted of Bond themed names from, 007 Classic, a Vodka Dry Vermouth with olives to the more exotic drinks like, Diamonds are Forever. I ordered a Miss Moneypenny which was a champagne topped with apple pie liqueur. Very tasty. Terry without a doubt was the best dressed, Bond Themed woman at the party. I had to draw her, although it is hard to capture all the glittering gold in a sketch. Matters were complicated by the fact that people kept walking up to Terry and asking to have their picture taken with her. Apparently Myth Busters had debunked the idea that a woman could die from being painted head to toe in gold paint. Every woman was indeed dressed to kill with high heels and plenty of leg.

When it got really crowded outside we went inside to look around. There was a DJ mixing the music and on the movie screen strippers were pole dancing and crawling on all fours. We thought we might get a beer inside but the bar was packed and so we went back outside. A photographer asked to take Terry’s photo on one of the red velvet couches. I started my second sketch out in the Eden Bar. The bartenders were in constant twirling motion. They performed an amazing ballet of mixing, shaking and pouring. The bartender I sketched was wearing a Russian spy’s Siberian winter wardrobe with a fur hat and a tightly cinched waste. I waited for some time trying to get a bartenders attention with no luck. Terry took my place and within a minute she was served drinks. It is hard to miss a golden woman ordering drinks.

With 15 minutes remaining till midnight we made our way to the dance floor. The big screen flashed brightly with various pornographic images. Breasts, hands, gyrating hips, tongues and nipples. At first the images were live action closeups and then fast paced animation took it’s place. When the animation repeated, I managed to tear my eyes from the screen to focus on the dance floor. There was plenty of smooching and dancing, a wild Bacchanal. Balloons were batted around above peoples heads the shadow playing on the movie screen. When the countdown began at around 30 seconds, the screen switched over to a live feed of Times Square. Above the dance floor a huge net held hundreds of balloons waiting to drop on the packed dance floor. Ten, nine, eight… Everyone shouted along and then the ball dropped and everyone shouted and cheered dancing with our arms raised. Couples embraced and kissed. I kissed Terry carefully but ended up with golden lips and a golden nose. The balloons above us never fell. Terry found a red feather boa on the dance floor and wrapped it around her neck.

When we got off the dance floor Terry told me she was starving. We drove down 17-92 till we found a Taco Bell where we ordered some tacos to ring in the New Year. Only the drive through window was open so we ordered and then parked in the parking lot eating in my truck. A humble ending to an amazing night.

Rock Out with Your Cocktails Out!

Posted on January 1, 2011February 7, 2022 by Thor

Today marks the beginning of year 3 for Analog Artist Digital World. This years resolution is to keep the gears greased and begin work on the first AADW book. Drip dance company held a Fundraiser for their new show called RIFF. They may have found a new permanent home on International Drive and I suspect that in 2011 they will blow the roof off the house. The fundraiser was held at Blank Space (201 East Central Boulevard.) The venue was packed and talent was thick.

Singer, songwriter, Britt Daley took to the stage and performed songs from her recent CD release “Unsupervised EP.” Her vibrant Electro-Pop filled the room and people started to move to the beat. The guitarist, James Christy, stomped on foot pedals and made constant adjustments to his sound. Joey Antrim on bass calmly set down his resonant consistent notes, while Jay Caudle who was hidden from my view with a large speaker, attacked the drums. Britt’s music hit a wide spectrum of emotions from driving hard beats to melodic and soulful . One song, “Its too Late” reflected on the sorrow of realizing that it is too late to expect change from the one you love. I stopped sketching to let the music’s sorrow envelop me. I was a little annoyed I let my mood swing so easily. I had been pumped, working feverishly only a minute earlier.

After her performance some hard core fund-raising began when a date with Britt was put up for auction. Steve Johnson, a semi nude DRIP dancer, acted as the auctioneer. I buried my hands deep in my pockets. Terry was sitting beside me, “but it was for such a good cause” I thought to myself. “Perhaps I should bid just to help drive up the price.” My hands didn’t budge. The bidding started lightly, $25 was soon raised to $50, but then a guy at the bar forced the bid up to $100. The crowd was hooting and hollering at this point with each successive bid. I was clapping and hollering myself, the price too rich for my shy blood. The final bid was $200 and the place went wild! I had a print of one of my DRIP sketches up for the silent auction. It didn’t bring in anywhere near the money Britt did. Next time I auction my work it needs to be packaged with a date with a beautiful woman!

SWAMI World Traveler

Posted on December 30, 2010February 7, 2022 by Thor

Infusion Tea (1600 Edgewater Drive, College Park) hosted a talk by Swami about his world travels. Frankie Messina acted as the MC for the Soft Exposure event. After studying his notes for the longest time he stood behind the mic and read a poem to start off the evening. He then introduced Swami who he had first met in 1996 at the Florida Film Festival. Swami began his talk with an image of a car crash. He had been working as a computer animator for years when a car crash caused him to re-evaluate what he wanted from life and he began traveling the world.

One of his stories was particularly compelling. He traveled to Hiroshima Japan and visited the A-Bomb Dome. The first day he went as a typical tourist soaking in facts and figures about this building which had been kept in its original condition after the atom bomb was dropped on the city. The next day he returned, intent on finding out what the monument meant to the people of Hiroshima. His broken Japanese made approaching people difficult but he persisted. “Sumimasen. Konnichiwa…” He finally spoke to a Japanese woman who was willing to share her views in her broken English. She saw the building as a symbol of peace. She asked him the same question in return and he had to admit he saw it as a symbol of devastation. She looked to the future while he looked to the past. He said he hoped t0 one day see the building as a symbol of peace as well. An old man overheard the conversation and he asked Swami if he was American. The old man lived as a child on the outskirts of Hiroshima. He vividly remembered seeing the yellow orange glow on the horizon that day. Swami expressed his wish for eternal peace and the old man warmly replied, “You good man.” They had their picture taken together both men with their hands raised with the peace sign and the dome in the background.

Christmas Lights

Posted on December 29, 2010February 7, 2022 by Thor

This outlandish display is located at 5651 Garden Grove Circle just off Howell Branch Road East of 436. When I arrived to sketch the sun was just beginning to set. It was a beautiful warm day. As soon as I started to sketch, the owner of the home behind me asked, “Are you a surveyor?” I laughed and explained I was an artist. I had about half an hour of daylight which I used to sketch in the rough outlines of the composition. There was a couple working adding more lights and lawn ornaments while I sketched. The woman finally had to see what I was up to. Her name was Betty and her husband’s name was Rob Peterson. They have been putting up this display for the past 18 years. “Of course it started on a much smaller scale and grew over the years.” said Betty.

When darkness settled in, Rob was busy pounding in “No Parking signs on his neighbors lawn. Then he bought out orange traffic cones. It turns out he has a traffic pattern well thought out in advance which keeps cars moving in a counter clockwise flow around the circular court which avoids any problems. The lights flickered on in large chunks until the display was blinding. Cars kept arriving and children and adults piled out to get a close up view of the display. I should have counted all the Santa’s that were on the lawn. There were at least 6 Santa’s riding on the Ferris wheel alone. Christmas music played softly in the background.

When I packed up and left I was shocked to find that many of the neighbors had played at “keeping up with the Jones’s.” One lawn was just as outlandish as the next. A garage was open and a small town was crafted inside . The next house specialized in lawn inflatables. I haven’t done anything with my house yet. I might light a single candle and put it in my front window on Christmas Eve.

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse Rhythm Circle

Posted on December 28, 2010February 7, 2022 by Thor

I went to Tanqueray’s downtown thinking I might sketch Bad Santa and the Dirty Elves. When I got to the bar there was no Santa and no Elves. I decided to order a beer and sketch the bar so the night wasn’t a total waste. The woman across from me had on a Santa hat and she was boxing her partner with Rockum Sockum Pez dispensers. Besides myself there were only four patrons in the bar. I thought I recognized one of the women to my left but I couldn’t place her. As she got up to leave she stopped by to say hello. Turns out she is a Facebook friend named Jessica Pawli. She informed me that there was to be a full Lunar eclipse that night. Dandelion Communitea Cafe was having a Rhythm Circle to celebrate the eclipse. How is it I didn’t know about this? I downed the last sip of my beer and immediately headed over to Dandelion.

It was a cold crisp night and the full moon was bright. The hum from several Buddhist bowls resonated right down to my bones as I approached Dandelion. Christmas lights were strung up in the trees. A hot fire pit warmed the people who sat close. Some people kept their eyes closed as they rocked and swayed to the beat. I sat near a flood light which allowed me to see my sketchbook. Everyone had an instrument of some kind. There were flutes, guitars, tablas , didgeridoos, maracas, and a wide assortment of drums. I hummed along to the entrancing sound and rhythms. A drummer sat next to me and said, “Hey Thor.” I didn’t recognize him at first but then he told me I had sketched his band called “The Manteis Project.” He informed me that I had sketched him in two locations in the same sketch. We laughed. His son crawled into his lap and he enfolded him inside his coat. The boy, tough snug, lost patience and he ran off to play with friends. “Thanks for the quick visit.” he said as his son disappeared. It was obvious that he wished he could have held his son longer.

A beautiful woman stood by the fire playing a large flat moon of a drum. With her flowing robe and cloth headdress she very much looked like a romantic shaman as she celebrated the Yule festivities. I was told the last time there was a Lunar Eclipse on the Winter Solstice was 300 years ago. This was a once in a lifetime happening and I was celebrating the best way I knew how, with a sketch. The eclipse started well after midnight and the moon slowly turned a mysterious blood red. Slips of paper were available to write down thoughts and feelings that you might want to purge from your life. I filled out a slip and placed it in the fire. I watched as it withered and turned to glowing orange embers. I warmed my hands in the open flames and then started another sketch. I was shocked when my cell phone vibrated in my pocket calling me away from the festival of light. My sketchbook thankfully still smells of burnt wood and incense.