Wandering around the Scottish Highland Games, I soon discovered the place that had the most activity. This was the center of the hive where the hordes gathered to collect their nectar. Beer was on tap in a large trailer and the three men who were filling pitchers and cups could barely keep up with the demand. Whenever a keg would run dry, a cry would rise up from the crowd.
Doing this sketch was a real challenge. I found a small spot to place my chair and then leaned back against the ropes that support the tent. With any gust of wind, my backrest would lurch just as if a child was sitting behind me in a movie theater and kicking my chair. I was in front of the spot where people could pick up refills and, more often than not, drunk patrons would trip over my feet as they made their way back to get more brew.
The girl in the pink shirt would wave to the people in line trying to get them to come to her table. Either people didn’t see her or they thought she was waving to a friend because very few people got the hint that she had beer to offer. The scene was constant and never ending chaos. I discovered a much quieter beer tent on the opposite side of the event and ordered a peach and apricot beer that was sweet and delicious. The Dundin Brewery did a fine job of keeping the crowd satiated, inebriated, and happy.
The Broken Lake Eola Fountain
The Lake Eola Fountain was struck dead by a bolt of lightning way back in August of last year. Inside the structure there is broken glass, melted metal and a fried motor. Mayor Buddy Dyer has vowed to fix the fountain for a price tag of 2.3 million dollars. At a party, one person joked that he could easily fix the fountain by dragging his lawn hose out there and setting it on top of the structure. He said he could then pocket the 2.3 million and call it a day.
On the day I did this sketch, I visited Amanda Norvell of the Orlando Broadway Series. We discussed the possibility of my sketching each of the Broadway Series as they load in and perform at the Bob Carr. The first show I will likely sketch is The Phantom of the Opera. At a City Council Meeting I sketched back in November, the Phantom entered the proceedings and offered to help fix the fountain. The Phantom will be donating $5 from each ticket sold to help restore the fountain to its former glory. Should you want to see The Phantom of the Opera, running from January 20th to February 14th, call 1-800-982-2787 to get tickets! The city had also set up a place where concerned citizens can donate to the cause. I hope that whatever sketches I do of the Phantom will bring more people out to the show, which in turn will help fix the fountain. As I was doing this sketch a man approached me and said, “Great sketch, it’s a shame the fountain isn’t on, your sketch would be much more beautiful.”
It turns out that on the day I did this sketch, Brian Feldman was also having a meeting with Terry Olson of the Orange County Arts & Cultural Affairs office, in the first of his Swan Boat Talks. Brian will be meeting with ten different Orlando artists with whom he would like to collaborate in 2010. I may rent a swan boat for one of these talks and try and sketch a meeting up close.
United Arts Professional Development Grants
I assumed that attending the United Arts Professional Development Grants Panel meeting, at the Enzian Theater, would be a boring experience. Sketching this process was quite the opposite. I arrived a bit late, and embarrassed, sat at the table closest to the entry door. I agonized for a moment thinking maybe I should move up closer to the panel table to get a better view. Then I noticed that Aradhana Tiwari and Zac Alfson were sitting at the table in front of me, and Beth Marshall, Dewey Chaffee and Douglas McGeoch were seated at the table to my right. I was surrounded by friends and decided an overall view of the room full of artists was the correct vantage point for my sketch.
After I started blocking in the sketch, one of the first orders of business was Michael Poley talking about how he wanted to produce a half hour documentary about an artist who explores Orlando, sketching every aspect of the arts scene. Several panelists didn’t know what he meant by sketches, were these theatrical sketches, poems or moments in time? Some panelists who knew of my work started praising what I am doing. This was something akin to sitting in on my own eulogy. None of the panelists knew I was in the room sketching. I finally decided to march up to the panel and hand over my most recent sketchbook as people’s exhibit A. Michael said this stunt helped him gain some points, and I certainly hope he gets the $1000 grant: which, if he does, will still have him investing over four thousand dollars of his own money into the project. This is humbling. I hope my sketches and stories do not let him down.
Artists who were submitting applications for grants had to defend their positions, often being asked how the grant money would help them grow as artists rather than focusing on the techniques of their craft. Dewey Chaffee has just taken a huge plunge by not renewing his contract to work at Disney. He certainly could use the boost a grant would offer now, but the panel seemed convinced that his character Wayburn Sassy was fully developed with no room for growth. One panelist seemed to think Wayburn just offers shock value, but Dewey explained that the character gives people a way to laugh at bigotry and narrow-mindedness. Orlando, in my mind, certainly needs Wayburn Sassy.
When Hannah Miller was asked to discuss her puppetry show called “Thunder Hag“, one of the panelists leaned back too far and broke their chair. There was an awkward pause, and Hannah asked if he was alright. Aradhana Tiwari put in a grant to study Viewpoints with the SITI Company and its artistic director Anne Bogart in NYC. Aradhana walked up to the panel and sat as close as possible. She was poised, confident and eloquent. She discussed “Project F” at some length and from the panelists responses, it sounds like she is sure to get the grant. As one panelist remarked,”You are up and coming, go to New York and make it happen.”
After the panel discussion broke for lunch, a small group of artists remained standing around the snack table, eating the free pretzels. For me, this was lunch before I went to the next location to sketch. Brian Feldman remarked, “All the real artists in the room are still here.” It was fun joking around with these artists, all of them friends, and discovering how they felt about the process. For some, it was like facing the Spanish Inquisition, but there was also comedy and unlimited human potential to be discovered in the room that day.
The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?
Play The Moment Productions is staging a reading of Edward Albee’s, “The Goat, or Who is Silvia?” This one time reading is happening TONIGHT at the Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street) in the Goldman Theater at 8PM. There will be free wine and free admission. Any donations made will go towards a new stage production titled “Project F” which is being created and directed by Aradhana Tiwari and produced by Matt McGrath.
I went to the first table-read of the play by the cast at Matt’s home in College Park. When we all arrived, Matt offered several options on places to do the reading, and we all agreed that it was such a nice day we should sit out on the sun porch. I went into the reading cold, knowing nothing about the play. The play starts out with Martin, a successful architect, played by Frank McClain, joking around with his wife, Stevie, played by Marty Stonerock. Their intellectual and playful banter sets the stage for a long-standing loving marriage. Later, Martin is talking to his best friend, Ross, played by Mark Baratelli. Martin goes on about how great his marriage has been, about how good his sex life has been with his wife, how they always know how to please each other. He says he might have been groped a few times at parties, but he has always been faithful. Then he talks about how his wife wanted to get a place out in the country. On a trip to the country, his life was turned upside down when he saw Sylvia. This was love at first sight and could not be ignored. Ross ends up telling Martin’s wife about the affair.
What follows is an argument that challenges all of our societies’ moral values. The affair cuts deep and causes a rift which cannot be repaired. All of this hard-hitting drama is laced with bitter humor and I was laughing out loud uncontrollably. This reading will certainly make you think. It makes me wonder what might lurk in the hearts of any happily married couple.
I had two cups of white wine while doing this sketch and listening to the reading. If any lines are wobbly or a likeness skewed I blame the wine. When I got home that night, issues bought up in the play still haunted me. I also heard that my stepmom’s health had slipped. I went on a bender, drinking a bottle and a half of white wine and watching an old black and white Spencer Tracy film. At the height of my stupor, I went online writing messages on Facebook. A chat window popped up, announcing itself with a chiming noise. It turns out the person on the other end of the chat had a bit too much to drink as well, so they will remain anonymous. I am usually put off by the chat window, thinking I am not typing fast enough, but this time around it was fun and effortless. This chat refocused my attention and bought me down to earth with humor and understanding. I am writing this extra detail because “Project F” is about social networking as seen through the lens of facebook; about how this new group dialogue affects every aspect of our life. Even statuses that are not read, affect us subliminally. Facebook has done so much to fuel this blog, and now I find that newly discovered friends offer light when my mood turns dark. Terry called me from Miami concerned about me as well. Perhaps there is no such thing as drinking alone anymore.
If you know nothing about The Goat, you will be shocked, stunned and amazed. This is an evening that you should not miss. Prepare to be challenged, your moral codes shaken and stripped bare. Just go. Then send me a message on Facebook and let me know how it affected you.
MOOM at Blank Space
MOOM stands for Meeting of the Orlando Minds. I attended the sixth MOOM hosted by Mark Baratelli’s TheDailyCity.com at Blank Space (201 East Central Boulevard). Eighteen people were present. Jeff Wirth called the meeting to order and we all started by introducing ourselves around the table. Once the introductions were out of the way, Jeff asked us all to break up into groups of four or five people, with each person expected to quickly outline what they might need in the following year to help in the creative work they were doing. I was skeptical. I have never been one to specifically ask for assistance, and yet people have found me over the course of the last year and assisted in ways I never would have imagined. Well when it came my turn to talk about this blog, I said I just needed people who could assist me in trying to locate interesting cultural events at which I could sketch. To my amazement, the young woman seated next to me named Amber Mundinger said that she could help me on all counts. She is the Marketing and Special Events Coordinator for Downtown Orlando. My jaw dropped. She is as excited as I am to discover Orlando through sketches. It is a New Year’s resolution to finally contact her at her office and discuss how we can help each other reveal to the world Orlando’s growing cultural community.
My other humble request was to find out if anyone knew a web designer who might be able to help me update and improve Analog Artist Digital World as it rolls into 2010. To my right was seated Arianne Pemberton, and she said she knows an artist named John who could easily assist me. I am so excited. The arts community is proactively gaining strength from within its ranks and we all benefit.
Brian Feldman was with my group as well, and discussed how he might need help with a project he is planning with the Orlando Public Library. The project promotes literacy and I hope it can happen in 2010. Ambers humble request was for some timers, so that a lights display at Lake Eola Park could turn off automatically each night . I had two timers at home, but they were both in use and I felt bad not having any to lend to her.
I am reflecting on the supportive atmosphere that I felt at MOOM, as I face a whole new year with a rededication to post one sketch a day documenting Orlando and its art scene.
Highland Games – Bagpipers
When I first entered the Scottish Games, I was immediately greeted with the sounds of this bagpipe and drum corps band. The leader with the baton, would stand perfectly still until the song was about to end, then he would raise the baton over his head and wave it gently for a few beats before slamming it to the ground ending the performance. I knew my time was limited, so I started sketching immediately. The group performed about 3 songs before they wrapped things up and disbanded. I was far from finished so I entered the park area following my ears, and headed straight to the Piping Station. Here bag pipers were all standing around rehearsing. I used these individuals to add details to my sketch which had already been blocked in from the first groups performance. As I sketched, a bagpiper approached ma and asked “Excuse me sir, you’re not a Steward Check are you?” I of course replied “No” since I didn’t know what a Steward Check was. Looking around I finally realized that there were Stewards seated in small tented areas who were judging individual bagpiper’s performances. The performer would play his pipes marching back and forth in front of the Steward. The pipers who were waiting would talk nervously to each other anticipating their turn. I added the background from the bagpipe station rather then the parking lot where I first saw this group. There were hundreds of bagpipers at the Highland Games. You could here them from where ever you were all day long.
Newcomers Meet the Arts at the Shakespeare Theater
This informational meeting to introduce people to the arts was held at 8Am at the Shakespeare Theater so people could stop in and then head off to work. John Thiesen the campaign manager introduced the event and explained that representatives from six Arts organizations would talk about what they offer the artistic community. First Sharon Lasic of the Orlando Shakespeare Theater gave a brief history of the building in which we were meeting. The building was for many years the Science Center and History Center of Orlando. After the New Science Center was built, the building was almost torn down to make room for more green area in Lock haven Park. A petition was passed around and the building saved. The Shakespeare Theater started in 1989 at the Lake Eola Bandshell and performances happened outdoors for many years.
Corry Warren from United Arts talked about Arts Fest which will be happening next month. This ten day festival is going on from February fifth to the fourteenth. It is a way to experience theater for FREE although some events have limited seating. Tickets will be available in advance starting at 10 AM on Tuesday February second. Be sure to check the Arts Fest Schedule and get a jump on this amazing opportunity! My calendar is already stuffed full of all the places I plan to go sketch.
Henry Maldinado talked about the offerings at the Enzian Movie Theater. The Enzian is unique in the country in that it is a fantastic place to have dinner and a movie. The Enzian is home to the internationally acclaimed Florida Film Festival as well. I also found out that the Enzina is showing old classic movie on the big screen. This is the one place where you could see Casablanca with Humphry Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. When you experience a movie like that on the big screen you realize why it is a classic.
Suzan Bright talked about the Orlando Philharmonic and how they are helping keep Opera alive by offering limited staged operas with the Philharmonic no longer in the pit, but up on the stage right behind the singers. This new Opera series will include Carmen, and Porgy and Bess. Carmen will be performed February 26th at 8PM and February 28th at 2PM. Porgy and Bess will be performed on April 9th at 8PM and April 11th at 2PM. As usual I dream of sketching these shows from the wings. Get tickets early.
Scott Evans talked about the importance of keeping Arts Education alive and well in the Orlando School System. In a study, the students that took arts classes achieved higher grades than students who didn’t take arts classes. Autumn Schafer spoke about the Red Chair Project which offers ways to save on tickets year round. Red Chair offers such amazing deal as two for one tickets and a $99 Arts Sampler which offers a ticket to each of the following, Orlando Ballet, a Broadway Musical, The Orlando Museum of Art, the Philharmonic, Shakespeare Theater, and the Orlando Rep. With so much going on, I can’t understand why anyone would want to be a couch potato at home.
After each person spoke an item was raffled off and I won a United Arts Card which offers discounts to arts events all over town. Whooo Hoo! Look like I will be covering alot more arts events in 2010!
Drip Fundraiser at Blank Space
The Drip Dance Company held a fundraiser at Blank Space Gallery 201 East Central Boulevard across from the Public Library. This sketch shows Christie Miga at the Canvas dip station. She created this colorful canvas in minutes by pouring the paint onto its surface then letting it flow diagonally with gravity doing the work. The colors would blend and flow together in unexpected ways. Small canvases are stacked in the corner. For a small fee a guest could take a canvas and dip it on the pool of paints left on the plastic drop after Christie finished the big canvas. In the background in the corner of the room was something called a Sake Luge. This device had a guitar amplifier hooked up so that when sake was poured into the top it would flow down a series of slides and make a haunting ethereal sound on its route. The works of MC Esher were being projected on a screen. Steve acted as the DJ for the night. He stood behind his laptop computer the whole time mixing songs. Sam and Tin Tin, two drippies, were covered head to toe with monetary contribution amounts. Their bodies were divided up like those cattle meat charts you see describing cuts of beef. For $20 you could paint Tin Tin’s butt cheek red or for $15 you might paint Sam’s left breast.
There was a station set up to paint Christmas ornaments by dipping them is paint cans, or dripping the paint on using a brush or stirring stick. A young dancer would perform from a hoop that had been crudely hung from an exposed ceiling beam. The hoop dancers little sister was watching and tried to imitate her sisters performance before the crowds arrived.
I was sitting next to a ping pong table while I did the first sketch and it became difficult to draw as a game began and the guy on my end of the table took the game very seriously. He was slamming the ball as hard as he could and I was bumped more than a few times, but I persisted until the sketch was complete.
The walls were covered by the works of an artist who now had a line of Swatch watches based on his bold primitive work. The paintings remind me a bit of Keith Haring’s subway chalk graffiti work from the 80’s in NYC. AS I got ready to leave, I passed a group of girls on the sidewalk as they painted Sam’s bicep. They were having a grand old time.
The Drip Dance group is now rehearsing for a new Valentines show called FRESH which will premiere on February 13th and 14th at City Arts Factory. Mark your calenders for what should be an amazing event!
The Orlando Science Center
I was at the Orlando Science Center for Otronicon. Otronicon, is a video game enthusiasts dream come true, was spread out throughout the museum including the dinosaur room. As soon as I entered I knew I has to draw the Tyrannosaurus Rex. He looked angry, like he wanted to devour every video game geek in the room. To the left in the sketch children work in a sand box where they can uncover fossils. Clustered under the fossilized fish a crowd had gathered to watch a large screen TV which was blasting a guitar hero performance. There was a constant stream of people coming and going.
As I was working, a little girl approached me and was transfixed by what I was doing. She left and came back several times and finally asked if she could take a picture of my drawing to show her mom. I said it was fine. Then she took several steps back and took a picture of me as I worked. I like the fact that she is taking time to document the moments of her museum experience. I hope she continues to be fascinated by the infinite universe and ever changing world around her.
Otronicon
My Full Sail job had me working at Otronicon, helping Sam Ewing as he taught a classroom full of students the basics of Animation. The students, both young and old, paid very close attention to what Sam had to offer, and got to work developing a 24 page flip book.
The Orlando Science Center was packed. I have never seen the place so crowded. After the class was over, I wandered around watching all the kids and adults playing video games. I stopped at this area where everyone was playing the same game. They were all involved in a game called VBS2 which is a military training simulator. The military bought a commercial video game called Armor 2 and converted it into the high tech simulator seen here. All the players were working together as teams in the game. One boy shouted out, “Ha, I killed you. That was me, I killed you.” Most of the time however they stared at the screens intently focusing on the flaming oil fields and enemy tanks. Some players were situated inside virtual tanks, while others were field infantry. The creepy guy with the gas mask wandered over to mess with the kids by reaching in while they weren’t looking and pressing arbitrary keys on the keyboard.
In another area, military men wearing field fatigues were showing kids how to fire of an authentic looking M16 which would blast out a laser beam at the target. Joking around with Evan Miga later that day, he said that the military is selling military service to kids with ads that make it look like every day is a game, where they get to enjoy using high tech graphics in the field. Evan joked that if kids join today they would get an extra life. Otronicon is now over so you will have to wait till next year if you are in the mood to kill.