Accidental Historian Install

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The Accidental Historian Exhibit will be on display the the Orange County Regional History Center (65 East Central Boulevard Orlando FL) from September 21, 2019 to January 21, 2020. I went in to sketch during the install of the exhibit. I was  intrigued with the fact the eight years of my sketchbooks were stacked like the Tower of Terror inside a glass museum case. The staff tried to just stack the books but it swayed uncontrollably and they had to come up with a plan B. A clear plastic spine was created that supports the high column of books but even with that solution, the tower slumps forward just a bit like an old man reaching for a cane. On top of the tower one sketchbook is open to a sketch of a giant inflatable alligator that was once in front of the History Center thanks to Heather Henson. A laser level stood sentry like a War of the Worlds armored attack vehicle. It stood on spindly legs staring at the sketchbook tower perhaps judging how fragile it looked.

In this exhibition, created at the
History Center, you get to learn how individuals who are absorbed in documenting
the world of today accidentally become some of Central Florida’s finest
historians for the future. You can also catch a glimpse into some of the museums
collections that were created for the now – more than 100 years ago.

The Accidental Historian features both historic and
contemporary work and collections, including drawings by the renowned
artist and teacher Ralph Bagley and Orlando Urban Sketchers , poetry by
Orlando’s inaugural poet laureate Susan Lilley, audiovisual work by food
blogger Ricky Ly, historic images by photographer T.P. Robinson, and of course a some Orlando sketches by myself.

Visitors to the exhibit can create 19th-century “tweets” and step
into a larger-than-life, Instagrammable photo station, along with other
fun features. The exhibit is fully bilingual, presented in both English
and Spanish. Related programs range from preservation workshops to
poetry readings and a historical food-based demonstration.

In my sketch, I focused on the huge open sketchbook in the corner of the room where Orlando Urban Sketchers work was displayed. I am proud that these artists who work together to explore Central Florida with their sketchbooks are now seeing their work exhibited in a museum. Their vision is unique in a time when people tend to shoot homogenized selfies with thoughtless abandon. These artists take the time to truly see the world around them.

Orlando Arts Collecive

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The Orlando Arts Collective is a diverse group of artists who enjoy supporting, sharing, communicating, and collaborating with other fellow artists. OAC members are painters, sculptors, photographers, and mixed-media artists.

Members conduct workshops, run critique seminars, curate art shows, participate in other community shows and events, and go on art related field trips together. The group encourages members to participate in art activities, shows and other groups throughout the community, and to share their experiences. Having adventures is one of the hallmarks of the OAC.

They are an IRS-501(c) 3 not-for-profit group, which allows them to conduct classes and work with charities. This also means they have a Board of Directors and annual dues. Even though they have a board they are not a board-centered group. All decisions are determined by a majority of their members. The annual membership is $30.00, which helps to pay for group shows, classes, and guest speakers. Extra fees may be required for participation in gallery shows. The members have shown and participated in various art venues in and around Orlando, such as City Arts Orlando, Mega Con, Third Thursdays, Dandelion Cafe, Pom Poms, and FAVO.

The Orlando Art Collective meets on the second Thursday of each month between 6:30-8:30 pm.

I stopped in to a meeting and sketched while members were learning new techniques in a printing workshop. Everything was provided and there were some unique results.  At the end of the table one artist apologized because he had evicted me from a painting workshop at the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens one year because I was sketching as I listened. I laughed and said there were no hard feelings.

Also on the table were ceramic tile hearts which were for a mural that is now up on the side of Lamp Shade Fair which is a 65-year-old business on 1336 N. Mills Avenue, Orlando, Fl. The ceramic hearts were created by artists from around the world and will be arranged into a rainbow coming from the open hand of a Banksy-inspired silhouette of a young girl blowing a kiss.

Robin Maynard – Harris

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In 2005 Robin Maynard-Harris‘s mom, Libby, was diagnosed with breast cancer. Both of Robin’s grand parents were also diagnosed with breast cancer. They had mastectomies, chemo and then lived really long lives. So they thought, “OK Lets do this.” Her mom had a mastectomy, chemo and then eight months later as they were finishing up treatments,the doctors saw a small spot that they were concerned about and they wanted to do a 4 month checkup. When they returned they said it looked like the spot had grown on her lungs.

Robin took her mom to Moffit Cancer Center for a second opinion. She paid more attention to what the doctor was doing rather than what he was saying. He said, “Do the things you want to do.” Robin said, “Can we talk about this for a second? What kind of time frame are we talking about here? ” Her mom wasn’t concerned as much about a time frame. Robin insisted, “Well I am, so you can leave the room or do you want us to leave?” The doctor said to her mom, “On average a woman in your condition can live a long time.” Robin said, “A long time for an oncologist and a long time for a daughter are probably vastly different.” He said, “3 to 5 years.” Her mom joked, “Well good, there is nothing average about me.” Robin was devastated by the 3 to 5 years.

On the drive back from the doctors Robin asked her mom what she wanted to do with the time she had. Libby wanted to go on a cruise to Alaska. Her mom lost her job at the American Cancer Society  do to “Inabilities to fulfill her duties due to cancer treatments.” That is a harsh and angering irony. Robin was justifiably angry about the American Cancer Society. Her mom said to her, “I taught you how to live and now I am going to teach you how to die. You can’t be so angry.  You need to do something positive.” Libby died just 6 weeks after the 4 month check up. She never got to take that trip to Alaska. Right before she passed, she insisted that Robin get a mammogram. They found an early stage of cancer and she had a lumpectomy the same year. Her mom had saved her life.

Robin founded Libby’s Legacy right away. The goal of the organization was to send stage 4 cancer patients on that trip to Alaska and to advocate for them when they lost their jobs which would mean no insurance. In 1983 when they moved to Florida, Robin got in a mini bike accident, and almost lost her leg. Her mom said she could no longer ride. Before Libby passed, Robin said, “You know mom, life is short.” Libby relented and said “You can get your scooter or motorcycle.” So, Robin got 2 Vespas and a Harley Davidson. To raise money for Libby’s Legacy she started an event called Scooters for Hooters which raises money for Libby’s Legacy which has started giving mammograms as well. In 2008 about 53 services were given away along with 1 cruise. In 2009 125 services were given and they diagnosed their first patient. Her name was Zenaida.

Zenaida worked for Orange County as a temp and she made too much for medicaid and not enough for insurance. Robin took her all over and couldn’t get her help. She was blown away. She had 19 pages of notes. She called the American Cancer Society and they did nothing. She went to the hospital and they said, “You know we can’t.” She called  all over and couldn’t get help. After 3 months of not succeeding, she was sitting at her desk at the sheriffs office and realized that this was a sign that she needed to do more to bring about change. She resigned, handing in her two months notice. Her last day was the day Zenaida had her double mastectomy. Now 9 years later Zenaida is a regular volunteer for Libby’s Legacy.

The Women’s Center of Radiology is just a block from Pulse. They have given away over 7000 breast health services where 141 women and 1 man were diagnosed. 189 children have a mom because she doesn’t have hers. !0 cruises have been booked to Alaska. Scooter for Hooters has raised almost a million dollars in 10 years. They are starting a new event called Treasure Your Chest which will be a scavenger hunt on Wall Street. Another event will be called Florida Squeeze Um. They do fun things that involve drinking and fun along the way. The 10th Scooters for Hooters fundraiser had to be canceled in the wake of Pulse. After the shooting the Women’s Center had to close down for 10 days because Orange Avenue was shut down for all the FBI vehicles as they  processed the scene.

Pulse used to do fundraisers for Libby’s Legacy. They did a poker tournament there. Robin danced there. Had the shooting happened 10 or even 5 years earlier, it could have been her or her friends or anybody she knows. The beauty of Pulse was that everyone was welcome. One of Robin’s best friends and all her sorority sisters who are straight as can be, were there the Friday night before the shooting. Woman can dance and there is no one hitting on you. It was an open club for everyone. It was such an open and loving club, not just for men, or women or Latins. It was all inclusive.

California Gwen a Tribute to Katie Perry and No Doubt

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Pam and I decided to take Sprout out to a hot concert at Waterford Lakes Town Center (413 N Alafaya Trail, Orlando, FL 32828) The stage was in front of Wahlburgers in the shopping center parking lot. Monica Leamy is the lead singer of Subliminal Doubt, a full
band tribute to No Doubt and Gwen Stefani. Also featuring our alternate
persona,  Katy Parody and the Teenage Dreams: A Tribute to Katy Perry.

Storm clouds were looming on the western horizon but the rain held off as the Subliminal Doubt gave an energetic performance. Monica even recruited some back up dancers to give a stadium worthy performance. Attendance was unfortunately spotty. A bounce house was set up in the far corner of the parking lot and a little girl stood directly in front of the stage dancing and clapping.

Actually since this sketch was done Monica and her lead guitarist Jonathan Leamy got married. AS they say, the family that plays together stays together. I have bumped into this tribute band multiple times, even when I least expect it, as I search out sketch opportunities. They are a fixture of the Orlando scene. Sprout never stopped wagging his tail. That is a great review coming from an excited old pup.

This band will be performing Smelly Cat: The All That 90’s Show at Boxi Lake in Lake Nona on September 21, 2019. The show is from 7-10pm. Smelly Cat, Smelly Cat, what are they feeding you?
The members of Subliminal Doubt are STOKED to bring you an all-new show featuring A variety of hits from the years 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998 and even… 1999! Expect a fun time.

Blog Con 2019

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I stopped by Full Sail University to see the opening of this year’s Blog Con. Ford sponsored the event and several vehicles were parked outside the entrance. In the parking lot a woman had her arm stretched out in front of her holding her phone which she was  talking to. She was clearly recording a video of herself reporting about Blog Con. I have tried to sketch at Blog Con every year since 2009. It is a chance to see what is happening in this relatively new field of digital communication. This year’s theme was “Tell Your Story.” The Full Sail Live auditorium was packed. Blog Con had sold out.



Rachelle Lucas a Freelance Spokesperson, Writer, and Videographer was giving the key note talk. I sketched her as she waited to go on stage. She spoke about getting a trip to Dubai and being nervous about going to the Middle East. With world tensions so high she feared that she and the people with her might be dragged out into that desert to be shot. The trip however was lovely. She showed an Instagram photo of herself in a bathrobe sipping a cup of champagne. It looked like the ideal relaxing vacation. However the reality behind that image was something else. She had welts all over her arms and legs from mosquito bites. That was why she was in the bathrobe. 

Rachelle talked about walking through the lobby of the hotel with several gentleman carrying the campaign. Two older gentlemen seated in the lobby, I imagine them looking like the two guys in the balcony of the Muppets show, winked and nodded their heads. Had they seen the cameras set up in the hotel suite their imaginations would have gone wild.


Rachelle’s primary point was that social media like Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are platforms to help drive traffic to the place where the WHOLE story can be  told which is her blog. It was rewarding to hear that for once I might be doing something right since I use those media in the same way. 

She pointed out that telling stories is as important in society as the basics of survival. Stories have been passed down through the generations, filling history books, offering insights into our culture. They are central to humans communicate. We engage
with others through stories, and storytelling is a lot more than just a
recitation of facts and events. As human beings, we are automatically drawn to stories because we see ourselves reflected in them. We inevitably interpret the meaning in stories and understand ourselves better. It was helpful to be reminded that the simple act of sharing ideas every day has meaning and value.


After her Key Note, the  crowd was divided up into different groups. Someone would hold up a sign saying something like, Foodies and all the foodies would gather around the sign. I always feel like the odd duck out since what I do does not fit neatly into any of those categories. I’m not a mommy blogger, a foodie or a lifestyle blogger. Though I am starting to use digital sketch tablets, I’m not a tech blogger. I feel too old school to fit into the modern digital categories. I have so much to learn and Blog Con was a fire hose of information. Someday I hope to master the business of telling stories.

6 of VIII at Casa Feliz

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As I approached Casa Feliz there was plenty of activity. A photographer as shooting photos of a wedding couple on the back  patio so I walked around the front of the building. Several ladders and a trampoline were set up in front of the entrance. I still don’t know what the trampoline is for, but I suspect it might play a part in a production of a pre-show presentation of On the Balcony, a mash-up of Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette and West Side Story.  Gabriel Preisser the Orlando opera executive and artistic director welcomed me.

In the living room of Casa Feliz, Opera Orlando will remount the 2019 Critics Choice for Best Musical 6 OF VIII this weekend at the beautiful Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum. There will be  food, wine, and an evening of stellar theater featuring The Helena Collective. it would make for a  perfect date night.

 There were 5 minutes before a full run through of the show, so I started sketching the set quickly in pencil waiting for the actresses to take to the stage. The room grew dark and the women in long white robes came down the aisle ringing bells and carrying candles. As they glided down the aisle, a large bang echoed through the empty historic home. There was nervous laughter from the cast. It was a foreboding start to he show.

This original work about the 6 wives of Henry VIII expands the song cycle Try Me, Good King by Libby Larsen,
with original monologues, madrigals, and other music to give voice to
Henry’s dead wives. The result is an atmospheric snapshot into the
unique lives of history’s most famous wives.

One opera singer, Sarah Purser Bojorquez, I have met before. She sang about how women risk their own lives willingly to bring new life into the world. Sarah has just given birth to a baby in her own life so the song seemed quite prescient. Each woman was a former bride of Henry the VIII who is best known for beheading his brides when they displeased him. Each woman’s story was unique. Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. 

I was particularly take by the story of a young 16 year old girl who was in love with another man but was used like a pawn by her father to wed a man much much older than herself. She regretted not marrying the boy she loved and died a the tender age of 17, beheaded by the king.

The room in Casa Feliz where this show is being staged is quite small so the audience is right on top of the action. Seated in the front row I feared I might trip up an actress, but they adjusted to the tight stage. The show is mysterious and somber. There are few happy endings for the women who knew King Henry VIII.

 6 OF VIII

Tickets are $77.25

The show is sung in English so you will not have to read subtitles.

Adaptation created by Sara Catherine Barnes

Special pre-show presentation “On the Balcony” featuring selections from Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette and Bernstein’s West Side Story along with pop-up performances by the ConVivo Madrigal Singers.

ESTIMATED RUN TIME: 1 Hours

SHOW TIMES:

Friday September 13 at 7:30pm

Saturday September 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Sunday September 15 at 2:00 p.m.*

*This performance is currently sold out, to be placed on the wait list please email office@operaorlando.org or call 407-512-1900

Wekend Top 6 Picks for September 14 and 15, 2019

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Saturday September 14, 2019

10pm to 5pm Free. 331Sullivan Street Fair, Punta Gorda. Punta Gorda Craft Festival. Punta Gorda Sullivan Street Craft Festival will highlight the talents of
many unique crafters, providing the area with one of its most enjoyable
winter traditions. Come meet and visit with some of the nation’s best
crafters while enjoying the charming streets of Punta Gorda. It features
a display of products like ceramic, jewelry, digital, photo, fiber,
metalwork, sculptures, glass, mixed media, wood, graphics, painting and
much more.

4pm to 6pm Free.  Young Voices. JB Callaman Center 102 North Parramore Ave Orlando FL. Teen Open Mic Every second Saturday of the Month. 

8pm to 10pm $5 Second Saturdays in Sanford. 202 S Sanford Ave, Sanford, FL. Live music event featuring 2 stages, drink specials and more.

Sunday September 15, 2019

9:30am to 12:30pm  $275 for 6 classes. Urban Sketching Tips and Techniques. Taught by Thor. Crealde School of Art. Learn to sketch from subject to the environment. Classroom sessions will
focus on sketching clothed models and progress towards sketching the
model and classroom environment. Learn how to incorporate storytelling
into your sketches in our location sessions. These trips to local venues
will challenge you to use your sketchbook the way a photojournalist
uses a camera. The six-week goal is to produce finished sketches using
pencil, pen, and watercolor within two hours. Skill level: Intermediate

2pm to 3pm  $77.25 6 of VIII Casa Feliz 656 N Park Avenue Winter Park, FL 32789.

Divorced, beheaded, died, divorced, beheaded, survived. Revel in the bliss and misery of marriage as the six ill-fated queens of the second Tudor king share their experiences of matrimony and acrimony. 

This original work about the 6 wives of Henry VIII expands the song cycle Try Me, Good King by Libby Larsen, with original monologues, madrigals, and other music to give voice to Henry’s dead wives. The result is an atmospheric snapshot into the unique lives of history’s most famous wives. The Critic’s Choice winner for Best Musical at the 2019 Orlando International Fringe Festival, 6 of VIII features The Helena Collective. Presented at the Historic Casa Feliz Mansion in Winter Park, these special encore performances include appetizers, desserts, and wine.

Sung in English.

Adaptation created by Sara Catherine Barnes

Special pre-show presentation “On the Balcony” featuring selections from Gounod’s Romeo et Juliette and Bernstein’s West Side Story along with pop-up performances by the ConVivo Madrigal Singers.

10pm to Midnight. Free but get a coffee. Comedy Open Mic. Austin’s Coffee, 929 W Fairbanks Ave, Winter Park, FL. Free comedy show! Come out and laugh, or give it a try yourself.

Before Pixels

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Third Thursdays, now marketed as, Art, Tech Biz is an opportunity for visitors to converge downtown and celebrate art, food, technology, and business. Along the way,
people partake in an evening of sights, sounds, food, shopping, and cosmopolitan living. At the time of this sketch, I had two sketches on display at City Arts Factory, but in order to get a sketch done, I walked two blocks over to The Gallery at Avalon Island (now City Arts) to sketch the musicians performing for the evening.

The monthly Third Thursdays event includes, the Gallery Hop, hosted by the Downtown Arts District featuring numerous
galleries and non-traditional art venues that spotlight the best of
established and emerging Orlando-based artists, in tandem with nationally
and internationally acclaimed artists.

The 3rd Thu Biz
Networking events are hosted by the Downtown Orlando Partnership and
allow attendees to experience some of downtown’s fine establishments
while making great local business connections.

The Orlando Tech
Meetup offers tech enthusiasts and entrepreneurs the chance to
socialize and hear five different technology groups present live product
demos.

This sketch done at The Gallery at Avalon Island was of the musicians for the night, Before Pixels.  Much has happened since this sketch was done, the historic Rogers Kiene Building (39 Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, FL) that was home to the Gallery at Avalon Island was donated to the city. Thus Avalon Island Art Gallery was shuttered. City Arts Factory moved from its location on Orange Avenue two blocks away to the Rogers Kiene Building and is now called CityArts Orlando. The end result is of course much less exhibition space as the visual arts scene shrinks in Orlando.

Annual Harvest Grape Stomp

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The harvest season has arrived and it’s time for grape stomping
competitions at Lakeridge Winery and Vineyards, (19239 US-27, Clermont, FL 34715). This event is perfect for a family outing. Listen to
continuous live music the entire weekend by superb local musicians.
Lakeridge wine, beer, soft drinks, and a variety of food is available for
purchase, along with complimentary winery tours and tasting.

The long line for stomping wound back and forth under the shade of the event tent. Anticipation built as we made our way to the front of the line. Grapes were loaded into each of the barrels and a spigot would empty the resulting juices into a plastic cup. Pam Schwartz is very competitive, but I have bigger feet. The stomping began with all the excitement of a Kentucky Derby horse race. Though stomping vigorously, I wasn’t getting much juice run off. Of the 8 or 9 competitors, Pam had the largest run off collected by far. The latter explained that the most important thing to do is to sweep away all the solid grape guts from the siphon inside the barrel. Every few stomps she would sweep the siphon clean allowing the juices to flow. My take was pitiful in comparison. The judge took a photo of us holding our juices in mugs. At home the next week I photo shopped a much bigger mug in my hand overflowing with juice. Pam wasn’t impressed with my handy work.

We took a wine tasting tour and relaxed for the afternoon listening to music on the main stage. The couple next to us gave travel advice. Food available was comparable to fairground vendors.

Catch this year’s stomp on:

August 15, 2018 10:00 am – 05:00 pm

August 16, 2018 11:00 am – 05:00 pm

Admission Fee:

Adult Admission –  $10

Children 12 and under – FREE

Grape Stomping all ages – Included with entry fee.

A portion of the proceeds go to support the Alzheimer’s Family Organization

Kings Landing

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Pam Schwartz and I took a trip up to Kings Landing (5722 Baptist Camp Rd, Apopka, FL 32712) to kayak and explore the Emerald Cut. There was a huge line of cars to get into Kelly Park, a swimming hole and springs right before the kayak launch site. Pam cut into the dirt side roads and avoided 3/4 of the line. Rick Kilby had loaned us his kayak which I used for the day.

Once at Kings Landing it was easy enough to drop off the kayaks and them Pam parked the truck on the roadside. She went inside to make arrangements and get a wrist band while I guarded the kayaks. I then went in and quickly got my wrist band. There were lots of folks renting kayaks and the launch was crowded. A narrow cut led to the river and since there were so many inexperienced people getting started we had to bide our time until we could navigate around them.

At the end of the entry to the river was a rope swing hanging from a tree with a crowd gathered to swing into the water. The first half of the day’s trip was all up stream working our muscles, but once we reached the turn around point it was all down stream on the way back. We saw lots of turtles sunning themselves on logs with their hind legs spread out, webbed toes spread to catch the sun. There were also some sizable alligators patrolling the shores.

We stopped once in a shady spot so I could get a quick sketch as another couple passed us on the river. There were a few humble homes on the shores, but for the most part it felt like old Florida as it was over 100 years ago. There were spots where trees had been cut because they blocked the river, probably after falling during a hurricane. Hurricane Dorian swept past Orlando without making landfall. We were spared what could have been a devastating storm.

The four hour kayak trip ended at Wekiva Island where a huge crowd was swimming and sunning themselves. A bus and trailer brought us back to the launch point. If you are an experienced kayaker this is a fantastic weekend day trip. Once you get away from the crowds at the launch you can experience as much time as you want on the river. I highly recommend this if you want to experience Florida as it was long before theme parks.

Kayak/Canoe rentals are $30 for the
day. Using your own kayak is $20, if you choose to have them pick you up
at Wekiva Island and shuttle you back. During summer months, get there
early (before 11), as they typically sell out. We considered driving up with two cars to avoid the shuttle but decided against it, paying a bit more for convenience. The shuttle bus isn’t air conditioned so if you want luxury, think twice. Also bring or wear swimming trunks. I was scolded for only wearing shorts and my butt got quite wet.