Artists sketch at the Orlando Skeleton Museum.

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Artists gathered at the Museum Of Osteology

(near the Orlando Eye, 8441 International Drive

Suite 250

Orlando, FL 32819)

from 5:30 to 10:30 pm to sketch skeletons.

Using the skeletons collection of over 500 REAL skeletons as inspiration, they spent time exploring new skills or perfecting figure drawing in the museum. Event sponsor, Sam Flax of Orlando, provided sketching materials that artists could experiment with, but all artists were encouraged to bring your own pens, pencils, and sketchpads.

For this, the second installment of Sketching with Skeletons, the museum extended the event by two hours to allow for more sketching time! Tickets were offered at a discounted price of $12.00. If you brought a valid student or teacher/educator ID, there was an extra discounted price of $10.00.

My plan was to work digitally on my iPad but when Pam Schwartz and I arrived at the Orlando Eye parking lot, I suddenly realized that I hadn’t brought my art supply bag! That has never happened to me. Well, the event said that there were some supplies on hand, so, I decided to go regardless and make do with the materials provided. Sure enough, each artist was given a clip board along with several sheets of 11 by 17 inch paper and bulldog clips. I did have pencils in my pocket and around the venue there were some boxes full of colored pencils.


After walking quickly around the museum, I settled on this view of two artists sketching the big cat skeletons. I quickly penciled in the composition and then Pam found me a ball point pen to finish the line work. I actually liked the ball point pen and might work it into my everyday supplies. Coral Dixon, the museum marketing associate introduced herself to me.  She is heading off to college soon to study to be a museum curator.


I was very pleased and surprised with how many artists were on hand to sketch. Coral is clearly doing a great job marketing the event. She contacted all the local tattoo shops, which quite frankly is a stroke of genius. Once the sketch was done, I walked around the exhibit with Pam to catch the highlights. A skeletal dog still had his collar on, and a raccoon skeleton was rummaging through a box of Milk Duds. The sea otter was lounging with his paws neatly tucked behind his head. Former Disney animation artist Woody Woodman was there with his wife, and we got to catch up briefly. Museum founder and owner, Jay Villemarette and Samantha Tutor introduced themselves and Jay gave Pam and I a personal tour. Since Pam is a curator, she had an amazing conversation about the care of the museum which is just 2 years old. Jay was proud to introduce us to the two glass cases of flesh eating beetles. The spongy cotton bottom of the case was swarming with beetles covering several small animal skulls. Jay went back stage and added some water to the tanks which sent the beetles into a real frenzy. They become most active when moisture is added. I started to itch.

I was highly impressed with the event and the museum in general. Orlando is lucky to have the world’s top collector and distributor of skeletons right here in town. Jay pointed out that no animal was ever killed for the collection but that each animal died of natural causes. Sea World handlers sometimes return to the museum to pay their respects to the animals once in their care. Humans also donate their skeletons to the collection. Jay is often asked during interviews if he would want his skeleton donated someday. He gives the answer that the interviewer wants, but honestly he doesn’t care what becomes of his skeleton. I am hoping that these sketching events continue.  The first one was highly attended with over 75 artists, but the attendance dropped for this second edition to maybe 25 to 30 artists. I hope to introduce the Orlando Urban Sketchers to the venue when I host the Orlando 10 x 10 workshops starting in August.

Screw fireworks, we all need some Santa on July 4th.

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Usually on the first Monday of each month, I host Orlando Drink and Draw (ODD). In May, I decided to host the event at Frosty’s Christmastime Lounge (50 East Central Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32801). Frosty is a snowman, Frosty is also what you call a cold cocktail or beer. However you interpret it, it is correct. Frosty’s wants to give you the feeling of the holidays all year round. Why wait until December?

Located right near the Orange County Regional History Center, Frosty’s does sport plenty of Christmas bling, like stockings hung with care under the liquor bottles, to a fat Santa near the entrance and the the sexy leg lamp won in the film “A Christmas Story.” Old school large bulb Christmas lights were strung from the rafters and the TVs only played Christmas specials and movies like “Home Alone.” The images on the screen have a strange blue electric haze that may or may not have been intentional, but looked like it was a short circuit.

The specialties at Frosty’s are the craft snow cones with names like, Porky’s Liposuction, Coconuts roasted over an open fire, and the last wurd. I was the only artist around, so I figured it might be a short evening and I ordered a Heineken. Besides myself, there were only 3 people at the far end of the bar. The sketch progressed quickly. Mandi Ilene Schiff stopped by with her fiancé Robert Johnston. Mandi worked up an intricate redesign of the Frosty’s logo. They were soon off to another party as I was finishing up my sketch.

Going to Frosty’s early on a Monday night wasn’t very exciting, but I am sure the place perks up as the evening wears on. I heard that there is snow sometimes, but I didn’t witness it myself. I might return as the weather cools down a bit.

Hang gliding at Wallaby Ranch.

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The last week of May was a birthday week celebration. I went to Wallaby Ranch with Pam Schwartz the curator at the Orange County Regional History Center. The ranch, (1805 Deen Still Rd, Davenport, FL 33897) is located a short drive from Orlando. As soon as we exited Deen Road into the drive, a sign overhead announced that we had arrived. The plan was to stay in one of the tiny cabins, called hooches) for the night and then fly at the crack of dawn the next morning.

Oliver van Dam Merrett greeted us and drove us around the property in a golf cart. There is a huge hanger full of hang gliders and a dozen or so hooches, a pool, volleyball court and a central barn gathering area where pilots congregate before and after the flights. Nikki Meir had helped me make arrangements for the day and she introduced us to her new puppy named Larry. Since it was late in the day with little wind, folks were grounded. We decided to watch the sunset from the pool.

The next day we got up before the sun to the sound of a plane engine firing up. We were rushed out to the field which acts as the take-off area and several guests were strapped in and went up before “Tom!” was called. I kept sketching since I’m used to answering to “Thor”. People kept gesturing my way and it finally dawned on me that I should get up. I tripped over a puppy (Larry) on my way to my hang glider. Within seconds, I was signing my life away and then, Malcolm Jones, the ranch owner strapped in beside me. Malcom is said to have had more safe flights that anyone else in the world. Central Florida is a great place for hang gliding because the coastal winds meet in the center of the state and rise. People come from around the world to fly here. You strap in by stepping into what looks like a sleeping bag and then you lie down suspended from support straps. A small yellow plane was latched by rope to the front of the hang glider and before I had time to get nervous, we were quickly accelerating across the field. The wheels left the bumpy ground and we were up.

The ground gradually slipped farther away. The plane kept circling the property gradually gaining altitude. I saw another hang glider take off below me and assumed it must be Pam getting the same experience. Then the strap to the plane was released and we were on our own. We glided in silence and Malcolm said to me, “Welcome to my office.” The experience wasn’t what I expected. The was no gut wrenching thrill, but instead a simple peace as we glided over the gorgeous landscape.  A reservoir was in the distance and the properties were neatly divided into a grid. Light wisps of clouds floated below us and our hang glider cast a shadow onto them. That shadow was surrounded by an amazing circular rainbow. I have never seen anything like it before. The, we circled and went right into one of the clouds.

I was told to let go of the steering bar in front of me for a moment and the hang glider stayed steady. “See, it flies itself” I was told. Pulling back would slow us down, edging the nose up, and pushing forward accelerated us as we glided down. Pulling left and right of course circled us in those directions. The ground was slowly getting closer. I spotted Pam on the field, and she waved to me. I was told later that we hung in the air motionless for some time above the field. Malcolm took control of the glider and guided us, landing belly down on the field.

Pam had not gotten to fly yet and we were told that with the winds picking up, the flight would need to be canceled for the day. They don’t take chances at Wallaby, they know good flying conditions and do not push the limits for safety’s sake. We decided to stay one more day in the hooch and Pam was the first person in the air the next morning. Evenings feel like a relaxed camp outing with friends as we sat in the barn and played games while several guests got out a guitar and sang. The pool saw plenty of use in the heat of the day and some pilots hung out under the large live oak trees to exchange flying stories. I can see how this could become an addictive lifestyle. You need to go up on 20 tandem flights before you can fly solo and Wallaby offers lessons from some very experienced hang gliding pilots. This was truly an experience of a lifetime.

Pulse Memorial and Candlelight Vigil.

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The parking lot of Christ Church Unity Orlando (771 W Holden Ave, Orlando, Florida 32839) was full and we were directed to park on the grass. This vigil happening one year and three days after the Pulse Nightclub massacre was going to be crowded. The invitation noted that no backpacks were allowed in the sanctuary. I decided to use my iPad to sketch so I could leave my bag of watercolor art supplies behind.

A harp player set the mood as we entered the sanctuary. Governor Rick Scott entered with his entourage. Orlando Commissioner Patty Sheehan was also in attendance. The evening was a celebration of life, honoring and remembering the lives so tragically taken in the Pulse Nightclub shooting. It was to be a time of healing, love, and unity for all. The names of the victims were read aloud during the ceremony.

 Pastors from several churches were in attendance along with Terri Stead-Pierce, Senior Pastor of Joy Metropolitan Community Church. Joy has been an open and accepting place of worship for the gay community for over 30 years. After Pulse happened, Joy was overlooked as churches held memorial services to honor those lost. A year later and Joy is no longer being marginalized. Music offered solace as candles were handed out to everyone in attendance. The warm glow lighting each individual face.

After the ceremony, Commissioner Patty Sheehan offered me a hand-made quilt crafted by the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild. The quilt had rainbow colored hearts in bold rows of color. The Central Florida based quilters wanted to help after the Pulse tragedy and so did what they know best, which is to sew. A call to help went out to the quilting community and the response was grand.  Quilts and quilt blocks were created and sent from 22 countries and 50 states. The goal was to gather enough quilts to help not only the victims who
survived, but the families of victims who perished, as well as first
responders, nurses, police officers, etc. They started with a goal of making about 100 quilts and have now made over 2000.

That’s a drawing of me! It’s mine!

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In April of last year I separated from my wife. For 6 months I rented a snowbird’s place in Winter Park. After being separated for more than a year, I went into mediation with my wife. The simple goal of the meeting with 3 lawyers and ourselves was to divide the assets we had built together over the years. The mediation lasted all day with my wife and her lawyer sequestered away in a separate room. When 5PM rolled around with the lawyers wanting to get home, she set a final demand. She wanted half of the sketchbooks that I had created since I started this blog in 2009. My lawyer was

stumped. What value could these sketchbooks have? There was a spreadsheet that divided up our assets. Her Porche was in her column, my Prius in mine. It was decided that my sketchbooks, my original works of art, should go on the spreadsheet opposite her jewelry. Negotiations broke down. I could not give up something that was so much a part of myself. There is also something called copyright which states that once an artist creates an image it is his. Certain reproduction rights can be sold, but the image remains the artists. The divorce will have to be settled in court.

Hurricane Maxine set me up on a date with an artist in town. Hurricane Mathew resulted in my lending my advice to this woman
about how to secure her yard items so they might not become missiles in
the high winds. I moved heavy items and secured the property. We rode
the storm out together. Over 6 months, this Hurricane Mathew relationship grew rocky as well. After we had gone our separate ways she decided that I owed her two prints of sketches that I had done of her in her home. I had already given her an original portrait for Christmas.That wasn’t enough. The sketches were of happier times that she wanted to keep.  She also wanted a signed copy of my book in return for some editing she had volunteered to do on my resume.  Why is it that any woman I meet starts demanding to take my work? I don’t get royalties for selling my book, so I would be paying the publisher wages I had earned by writing the book in the first place. Should I just start painting still lifes? Perhaps I should only be sketching cute cats and puppies, they seem very popular on social media and they offer unconditional love without needing to have the sketch. I’ve decided that people are too demanding a subject.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for July 1st and 2nd.

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Saturday July 1, 2017

4:30PM to 6:30PM Free. Market2Park. Shady Park Hannibal Square New England and Pennsylvania Avenue Winter Park Florida. Small farmers market.

7PM to 11PM Free.  Ybor City Art Walk. 7th Ave Ybor Tampa, Florida 33605.  Featuring a number of arts organizations and artsy businesses, be sure to R.S.V.P. here to get the official map for the walk! (maybe there will be an after party!)

Here are the participating locations:

The Bricks of Ybor

Bloodline Tattoo

Ybor Arts Colony

Hot Wax

Wandering Eye Art Gallery

Dysfunctional Grace

Moon Over Havana Arts Gallery

Live Arts Labs

Expect to be wowed!

8PM to 10PM Free. Shuffleboard. Orlando’s Beardall Courts 800 Delaney Ave Orlando FL. 1st Saturday of each month. Free fun!

Sunday July2, 2017

10AM top Noon. Free. Heartfulness Relaxation and Meditation Class.  University, 5200 Vineland Rd, Orlando, FL 32811. The Method of Heartfulness A simple and practical way to experience the heart’s unlimited resources.

11AM to 11:45AM Free. Brad Shur’s Cardboard Explosion! 66 E Station St, Apopka, FL 32703. FREE PUPPET SHOW! Join us at Station Street Studios for Cardboard Explosion! Five original stories come to life using nothing but cardboard and the power of your imagination! With help from the audience, puppeteer Brad Shur transforms simple cardboard shapes into elaborate puppet characters, then brings them to life right before your eyes. Get ready to outsmart dragons, choose-your-own superpower, and train adorable animal sidekicks in this fun, energetic, participatory show. Fun for all ages! This performance is sponsored by the Big Potato Foundation, Central Florida Puppet Guild, Ibex Puppetry and Good Knight Theatre.

Noon to 3PM Donation. Music at the Casa. Guitarist Brian Hayes. Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, 656 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789.

Senor Frogs on Interntional Drive.

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I drove down to International Drive thinking I might sketch a monthly Drip Artist showcase event. Unfortunately the events are now bimonthly so the venue was closed. Rather that just leave, I decided to sketch Senor Frogs the restaurant that is in front of Drip. This place is always bustling with tourists who go for the sweet drinks and balloon hats. I have never eaten at Senor Frogs but I have always been curious as to what the appeal is.

The last Drip artist event I am aware of was in April. There is a Facebook page for artists interested in future events at Drip. If you haven’t been to a Drip show yet, you really need to make the trip to International Drive. It is a sexy dance experience that will rock your world. Water, sand colored light, a live rock band and plenty of dancing provide an amazing interactive experience. Every member of the audience is in the splash zone. If Orlando is now known for its rainbows, Drip explodes that rainbow with a wild splash.

Blue Box 20.

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27 Blue Boxes are painted on sidewalks in Downtown Orlando. These boxes are for panhandlers and buskers. Busking is possible only during day light hours. Although set up for panhandlers, police often insist street performers must use the blue boxes. Performing outside the boxes can result in 60 days in jail and a $500 fine.I am documenting these blue boxes with some of Orlando’s most talented artists as performers.

Blue box 20 is on Magnolia Avenue between Church Street and Pine Street. it is right outside the former location of Mad Cow Theater. The acoustic group Jestelle volunteered to perform. Comprised of  Jester Cordell and Danielle Dart, they combined their first names to come up with their groups title. They had some difficulty finding the blue box but luckily I had arrived a bit early and I guided them in with several texts. I have sketched this adorable couple before at Fringe and looked forward to their lyric cover songs. They had a red jar for tips and a Mickey Mouse cup that was for coffee or perhaps coins.

These two appear to be a true Orlando couple being color coordinated in a tropical floral shirt and sun dress. Danielle took off her huge sun hat while she sang. She has a magnificent voice and they harmonized beautifully. It is a shame that the sound of traffic often drowned out the subtle songs. A few people walked by but no one stopped to listen and unfortunately no money was dropped in the tip jar.

Jestelle will be performing at Johnny’s Other Side (1619 E Michigan St, Orlando, Florida 32806) on Sunday July  23rd starting at 2PM. Nine blue boxes remain to be sketched. If you know a performer who might be interested, please let them know about the Orlando Blue Box Initiative.

William Shakespeare’s King Lear at Osceola Arts.

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The set design by Nate Krebs, for King Lear established the multiple platforms as checkerboards as if in a game of chess. Directed by Beau Mahurin, the show is definitely dark and brooding. In the first act King Lear (J. Michael Werner) the aging king of Britain, decides to step down
from the throne and divide his kingdom evenly among his three
daughters. First, however, he puts his daughters through a test, asking
each to tell him how much she loves him. Goneril (Samantha Behr) and Regan (Katy Polimeno) , Lear’s older daughters, give their father flattering answers.asks his daughters to praise him and Cordelia (Monica Mulder) refuses, simply acknowledging that she loves him as a daughter should., He is furious and essentially disowns her. She is cast to the ground. The other two sisters play his game, but they plot to overthrow his in secret.

Cordelia returns disguised as a jester and helps her father to overcome the endless espionage. There is some serious sword play and sitting in the front row, I at times got nervous that I might be a little too close to the action. Edmund (Barry Wright) sat at the chess board as he plotted his next move against the king. Selfish princesses were pawns in the battle for power. Some of the Shakespearean dialect was lost on me since I was concentrating of the sketch.

This is a truly tragic play. The evil sisters kill each other since they are both in love with Edmund. Cordelia returns with an army to battle her sisters army but she is defeated. The death of all three princesses leaves Lear distraught and overcome. Lear appears, carrying the body of Cordelia in his arms. Mad with grief,
he bends over Cordelia’s body, looking for a sign of life. The strain
overcomes Lear and he falls dead on top of his daughter.

A year ago 49 people were murdered at Pulse Nightclub here in Orlando, so the entire city had had to come to terms with loss and grief. This made the end of this play most timely and difficult to watch. The human struggle never changes and tragedy is the same in the past as it is in the present. senseless violence greed and corruption will always remain but if the cast of King Lear all had assault riffle instead of swards, s then the carnage would have been much worse.

Leena Buchy Celebration.

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The Leena Buchy Celebration was held at the Abbey in downtown Orlando. Leena was an arts advocate in Orlando throughout her career. She passed away after a long fight with cancer.

Shanon Larimer, Chairman of the Board for the Downtown Arts District, issued the following statement:

 “It is with a heavy heart that on behalf of the Board of
Directors of the Downtown Arts District, we announce the passing of our
friend and colleague, Leena Buchy.  Leena joined the Downtown Arts
District in 2005 as the first employee of City Arts Factory and most
recently served as the facility’s Manager of Operations.

As an arts advocate, Leena led the expansion of the organization’s
mission-based programs and spearheaded special events that promoted
cultural diversity and engaged participation.  She provided a
significant contribution to the Downtown experience enjoyed by the
citizens of our community and visitors to Central Florida.

It is because of Leena’s support and dedication that City Arts Factory
continues to remain a catalyst for opportunity, creativity, innovation
and artistic excellence.  We will forever be grateful for her service
and friendship.  She will be missed.”

 Photos of Leena flashed on the screen as The Wild Tones performed on stage. After this band, Mia Longernecker, Leena’s niece form Brooklyn New York got on stage to perform a song written my Leena. She strummed a ukulele and sang sweetly. She prefaced the performance saying, “Bear with me if I get emotional during this piece.” Leena’s lyrics were sincere and heart felt… “I go to sleep and imagine your there with me.” Think it on over, is Leena’s original song, “I was a dreamer and everyone noticed my hide away eyes, Think it on over, I would.”

Leena’s nephew Sam came on stage after Mia. Clearly Leena had inspired music to flourish. He had a mixing table set up. He had written his piece as Leena was battling cancer. His performance was edgy and urban with plenty of angst. A photo of Leena holding Sam as a baby stayed on the screen in stark contrast to the dark brooding music he mixed.

A fund has been created in Leena’s name called the Leena Buchy Emerging Artist Fund. Tax deductible donations can be made to the fund payable to the Downtown Arts District (29 South Orange Avenue Orlando Fl 32801.) Specify that the gift is for the “Leena Buchy Fund”.