Robot Man at Cavanach’s.

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Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts, a new performing art center, held a social hour fundraiser at. Cavanaugh’s Wines (1215 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, Florida 32804). The proprietor offered everyone a free cup of wine to start out the evening. I found a table close to the stage and started drawing. Musicians Chris Cortez and Danny Jordan started out the evening. 1 t started to rain outside and it felt safe and comfortable to be sipping wine with several dozen patrons, and enjoy and the live music.

Robot Man definitely livened up the evening with their unique blend of music. I was in the midst of boxing up my life and moving to Winter Park. This evening was a reassuring reminder of why I needed that independence. The storm might be raging, but I could find peace of mind by documenting inspiring and creative performances. I usually do one sketch a day so I could keep the peace at home. This was my second and therefor a decadent sketch. I didn’t think I would have time to finish it, but I took the chance anyway. It is time to take more chances and to stay longer at events like this to get the whole story. In this case, we all had to wait for the storm to pass.

The Blue Bamboo Center for the Arts (1905 Kentucky Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789) is now open and hosting performances and workshops regularly. Blue
Bamboo Center for the arts is part venue, part recording studio, part
art gallery.  This
unique new space offers live performances most evenings, state of the
art recording equipment, and gallery space.  They cater to jazz,
classical, and world music, theater, dance, and spoken word. 

Blue Bamboo has limited seating so they encourage guests to purchase tickets in
advance.  Most shows begin at 8PM and our doors open at 7.  They offer
drink service, including beer and wine, but no food.  This is the hot teens new music hot spot in town. I hope to sketch there soon.

An interview at the Enzian Theater.

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I interviewed Julie Norris Wilder at the Enzian Theater to find out what I could about the law suit she was in with her founding partner at Dandelion Commonitea Cafe. She and the partner had different ideas about how to run the business. When her daughter, Maya, was born, she asked the partner to step in and help run the business more. She felt that corners were cut and the cafe didn’t live up to the who is it idea she had mind. She tried to buy out her partner but couldn’t raise I needed funds to make that happen. The differences had to be settled in court an ultimately she surrendered her shares to the business she helped build. There were personal aspects to y conflict, but those details can be left behind as both parties move forward and grow independently. She is happy to know that Dandelion is still doing business and thriving.

I have collaborated with Jul. when we put out an Analog Artist Digital World calendar several years ago. She is a graphic designer on top of being an entrepreneur, an environmentalist and devoted mom. She has plans to build a business that helps empower women. She dreams big and goes for those dreams. She has been the host of Front Porch Radio for years. She show airs every Wednesday at 4pm on WPRK 91.5FM. She interviews people who make a different in the community, and sparks thought provoking conversations.

Form Structure and Interactions at the White House.

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The Timucua White House (2001 Hamilton Ln, Orlando, FL 32806) hosts weekly concerts in their spacious living room that rivals some concert halls. Benoit Glazer built his home around this pitch perfect sound proofed space. This concert featured original compositions for trumpet and electronics. Most of the composers were in the audience. Besides the main performance, an artist usually creates on stage as well. On this evening, a sculptor named Diego Inkusual worked on a life sized bust of a young poised dancer named Megan Crawford. I’m pretty sure I sketched Megan at some dance rehearsal, because I recognized her. I decided to sit down at a back patio table, and my chair tumbled over backwards, thankfully with out me in it. As we all waited to get into the concert hall, Diego kissed Megan’s neck and she smiled at the distraction.

Benoit’s wife Elaine Corriveu, Wendy Wallenberg and others bustled in the kitchen. Guests usually bring a bottle of wine or a side dish, turning the evening into a community potluck. Strange, the program doesn’t list the Trumpet player’s name. That is a strange oversight. Anyway, he was quite good as was the sculptor, also not listed.

Diego had several life sized sculpture on stage, and another in The entry-potluck area. Fabrics flowed from their semi nude bodies. It was impressive work. Diego was quite active as was his model, Megan. He would often ask her to rotate in her seat so he could sculpt her from a different angle. He would often stand and he would gouge deep grooves in the sculpted hair. The facial features had been delicately refined back at his studio. He was feeling the music and it influenced his movements. Megan kept perfect still.

One composer wasn’t in the audience. He was at an inspirational seminar. The concert was being shared with him and another audience with him at the seminar. Most composers got on stage to introduce their original music, he called in to talk to us all. Charles Griffin composed Between Islands this year. He told both audiences, that when he moved to Orlando, his creative urge dried up. He tried to work through it, but he was stuck. He had never experienced this before. The support and contact with other creative people finally reversed the stagnancy. This composition was the first he wrote as he got back on track. He spoke about his mother’s death, loss and the need to remember. It is a theme that has hit home with me many times as I sketch people affected by Pulse. I try to remain in business mode, but often it sinks in. Charles used the sounds of ocean bells clanging quietly on the waves. the somber music hit a chord with me and the pencil stopped dancing on the page, so I could stop to close my eyes and truly listen.

The next White House concert is, Tonight 10/16/16 at 7:30 pm. It is Contemporary Classical, featuring Elizabeth Baker, Toy Piano and electronics, Art is by Gladiola Sotomayor.

Paint the bride.

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So, what do you do with your wedding dress when the wedding is over? Most women pack it away in a box and store it for eternity in their closet or attic. Kimme Priddle married Ed Hernandez and she decided to turn her wedding dress into art.

Current Galleries right above The Imperial at Washburn Imports (116 E 1st Street Sanford,

FL

32771) is run by local arts promoter Frankie Messina of Apartment E. Frankie loves the arts and bringing people together. He let Kim and Ed use the Current Gallery’s round room to exhibit their photographs and mixed media art. The highest price was $225 and the lowest $50. 


In the center of the gallery was a small stage with a garden trellis acting as the framing curtains. White Christmas lights were spiraled around the trellis, shining like bright stars. Roses and yellow flowers along with fern and lace completed the elegant stage, along with a sign saying, “Paint the bride.” Wedding guests friends and artists took turns painting the dress being modeled by Kimme. I didn’t see who put the red hand print on her right breast. The room became quite crowded and I patiently waited for quick glimpses of the bride. The paint supplies sat a large wooden wire spool that acted as a table. Two bedside lamps illuminated the scene. 


A daughter of the couple played tunes on an electric keyboard beside me. As quickly as the scene grew crowded and chaotic, it then quickly became still as everyone left. How wonderful would it have been if the groom and officiant arrived, also were painted and then the ceremony took place as well. Unfortunately the wedding happened either before or after.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for October 15th and 16th.

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October 15, 2016

5pm to 11pm Free. Creative City Project. Orange Avenue Downtown Orlando FL. With an estimated 15,000 attendees and more than 800 artists at Creative City Project 2015, it was the biggest and baddest yet. But it’s only the beginning of what we can achieve together as we help Orlando become a city know for creativity and innovation. My sketches will be projected on the side of the Sun Trust building as part of the event.

The Creative City Project 2016 will take over Downtown Orlando with art and creativity.

And this marks a new rhythm for the Creative City Project. From here on out, the Creative City Project will take place the THIRD WEEKEND OF EVERY OCTOBER. No more need to look up dates. Just remember the third weekend of every October. This should make it easier for us all to remember and make space for our city’s most exciting art and performance event!

Journey with us as we awaken the streets and public spaces of our city with art and performance. See Orlando like never before as you immerse yourself among the 100 person Central Florida Community Arts Orchestra. Encounter the Orlando Ballet among the high rises of the city. And, back again this year is a performance from La Nouba by Cirque du Soleil high above Orange Ave.

The Creative City Project is ready to awaken you to a new life of deep inspiration. As you walk the streets of the city, you’ll encounter unexpected creative experiences that remind you that more is possible. You’ll discover amazing cross genre artistic collaborations; large scale performances; and intimate, interactive moments. And when it’s all over, you’ll walk away inspired to embrace a life of adventure the rest of the year.

8pm to 11pm $7 No Borders The Tournament. Will’s Pub, 1042 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, FL. After a year and a half of building this unique platform for artists to challenge themselves while putting on a show. We were overwhelmed with all the artists that want to participate. What better way to test their skills then on our 4ft x 4ft canvases in an 8 artist tournament.

The 4 winners will qualify to compete on our 6ft x 6ft competitions starting early next year.

Our original rules apply.

4 Black markers with different tips

One color marker

4ft x 4ft Smooth White Canvas

30 Minutes to Complete

Artists get judged on 5 categories

1. Creativity and Originality

2. Neatness

3. Time Management

4. Use of Color Marker

5. Overall Balance

The Crowd gets to pick The Peoples Champ before the judges ruling is announced.

Artists for our first tournament are as follows:

Don Rimx

Jesika Butler

Heidi Kneisl (The Naysayer)

Dante Seven Alvarado

Darrell C Johnson

Todd Bot

Luce Sky

Alejandro Ruiz aka Revel

Our trusty judges are

Earl Lugo

Stazo Oner

Special Guest Judge

Josue Ortiz

 Our house DJ spinning that 90’s hip hop we all grew up listening to and falling in love with Chris Mendez aka DJ Cubby and laying down some cuts, scratches and bruises DJ Sureshot (Theo Sureshot Smith)

Doors open at 8

Show starts at 8:30

$7 Cover

Sunday October 16, 2016

Noon to 3pm Suggested donation. Music at the Casa. Casa Feliz Historic Home Museum, 656 N Park Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789. Classern String Quartet.

2pm to 4pm Free. Yoga. Lake Eola Park, 195 N Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL. Near the red pagoda. Every week.

8:30pm to 10:30pm Free but get a coffee. Solo Acoustic Spoken Word. Natura Coffee & Tea, 12078 Collegiate Way, Orlando, FL. 407 482-5000.

Creative Process Workshop with Cirque Artistic Director, Daniel Ross.

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The Gallery at Avalon Island (37 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, Florida 32801) hosted a Creative Process Workshop with Cirque Artistic Director, Daniel Ross. The even I promised to bring a new level of depth and strength to attendees artistic process in this first Creative Process Workshop. The talk uncovered how to develop strong personal practices and how to work with a team of artists to bring a work to life.

The Creative City Project is honored to host the Artistic Director of Cirque du Soleil’s La Nouba in this evening in three parts.

First, Daniel gave insights into the Creative Process from his experience working with Cirque du Soleil all over the world.

Second, we’ll take time to answer your questions about your own Creative Process and how to develop a strong company and organization to bring your creative ideas to life.

And lastly, Daniel gave feedback on some of your works in progress. 

The Creative City Project is committed to cultivating a thriving arts community in Orlando, and this new series of workshops is just one more way we’re doing that. Don’t miss it! Reserve your spot today.

When I arrived, the talk back was well under way. I muscled my way in through the standing room only crowd to find a decent view. The room was full of choreographers, dancers, visual artists, documentary film makers, writers and actors. I recognized faces in the crowd from past sketches. Orlando has such a rich talent base. One point that came up that I firmly believe in is to create, even when the mood doesn’t suit you. So long as you keep creating on consistent schedule, then you then find you are creative than you thought you are.

Liahona LDS Books: A Deseret Book Location.

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Liahona LDS Books: A Deseret Book Location, (8905 Conroy Windermere Rd, Orlando, FL 32835), is a Mormon bookstore supplying religious reading material, music, movies, art, jewelry and gifts.  I didn’t know the meaning of Deseret, so I asked Linda Sarascino what it meant and online. “The State of Deseret was a provisional state of the United States,
proposed in 1849 by settlers from The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints in Salt Lake City. The provisional state existed for slightly over two years and was never
recognized by the United States government. The name derives from the word for “honeybee” in the Book of Mormon.” 

I decided to bring my Elite Animation Academy, Urban Sketching Students to the bookstore to sketch. A statue of a prophet held out his to let costumers see the items on the counter. American Flag triangular flags were draped along the counter. My students sat in the stores reading room chairs. I need to encourage them to get closer the action. 

A very well dressed family entered the store and wandered the racks. There were children’s books and toys in the bad of the store. I never knew there were so many religious children’s books on the market. American flag and cloud paintings hung on the wall next to the entry door. Prints were arranged in the wicker basket. The sales lady was from New York City as was the family. They were in town for the Morman Convention. I was fascinated by this clean fashionable sub culture. My mom used to dress me up in a new suit every Easter with an embroidered label on the breast pocket. For whatever reason their clean cut out fits brought me back. 

Outside the sun set behind the duck pond.  My students got some decent sketches, and this was the first class, where I encouraged them to add watercolor to their sketches. Perhaps there was some divine intervention.  

Blackalicious at the Social.

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I met Katie Jane, and Britton Paine, at the Social (54 North Orange Ave, Orlando, FL) to hear Blackalicious perform.  I ordered a drink and sketched the band as they set up on stage. The place gradually filled up as I sketched. We must have arrived very early. The concert itself was a blast. Blackalicious i a bulky mass of a performer and he dominate the stage and crowd. The pit in front of the stage filled with a unified dancing mass.

New Breed was a lively brass band that performed next. with several drinks in me, the lines flowed easier but less accurately. (t was fun to try to catch the glow of all the different colored stage lights. Local artist and perform Asaan Swam burger Brooks was in the house and swung by for some face time.

Blackalicious took the stage again, and his rap lyrics seemed absolutely spontaneous as if s constant improvised flow.Another rapper got the crowd to raise their hands and pump their fists in the air. I have never experienced a mo lively and raucous concert. the social is small which keeps , performers and audience in close proximity. Sketching to rap music is a joy. I couldn’t stop myself and ended up do in y third sketch.  What ever happened to my “one a day” mantra? Sometimes you just have to go with the flow. In an inebriated moment of inspiration I might produce some thing unexpected.

Someone flipping through my sketchbooks though these sketches were an unfinished mess, but I rather like them. Sometimes it in about a polished result, but about the experience. Right now, Hurricane Matthew is threatening Florida, essentially shutting down the state. Wouldn’t it be fun if the Hurricane were named Blackalicious? This performer is very much a force of nature.

Angels at the Abbey.

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The Abbey, (100 S Eola Dr #100, Orlando, FL) hosted a red carpet event benefiting the Pulse of Orlando Fund. The evening marked three months since the tragedy and focused on the positivity, love, and inspiration we have seen from around the World. The evening included a Silent Auction, sale of Original Art pieces from around the World, performances by the Orlando Gay Chorus, Evin, and featured performer Brandon Parsons, singer of the hit single “Forty-Nine Times.”

Pulse entertainment manager, Neema Bahrami, was the MC for the evening and Pulse owner Barbara Poma was also in attendance.

This was a VIP red carpet event with limited tickets sold. 
100% of the proceeds for the evening went to the Pulse of Orlando Fund, the only 501(c)(3) nonprofit currently distributing funds to victims.

When I arrived at the Abbey, the Angels were lining up outside to greet guests as they arrived. It was a grey dusk and as I started to sketch it started to drizzle. I ran for cover on the patio. Winds picked up and angel wings snapped briskly, sometimes in other angel’s faces. Finally the light rain became a downpour and all the angels had to take cover. Some angels held their wings in place, while others let their wings flap. Duane Garrett in the bandanna and hat looked like a serious biker. That makes sense since Harley drivers are often some of the most charitable people you will meet. Duane introduced me to his wife Sunshine Garrett and she told me about how they have been wearing the wings to as many events as possible since day 1.  The wings were finally abandoned to the costume racks. The elements had won, but only after a valiant effort. In tight quarters, the wings PVC supports would often get tangled. The best way to maneuver was stepping sideways. One woman stood in the rain alone despite being drenched. The wings must get heavy when wet.

Toward the end of the evening, Barbara Poma, Pulse employees and several survivors lined up on the stage. A woman at the end of the line began to cry and the person next to her put her arms around her. Who had she lost? I felt an incredible love and loss as the room filled with applause. Approximately $4000 was raised for the Pulse of Orlando Fund.

Family Days at the Mennello Museum of American Art.

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On the Second Sunday of each month there is a Free Family Day at the Mennello Museum of American Art, (900 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL 32803). The make-and-take craft table is open from noon-2:30 p.m., and docents are available to give mini-tours of the museum. Then it’s open house in the galleries until 4:30 p.m. 

The craft table is always bustling with parents and children. On this day, kids could convert an ordinary stick into an exotic talisman. Yarn could be wrapped around the stick and there was plenty of paint and beads to add to the decorations. The Earl Cunningham paintings literally glow with the way they are lit in this gallery. 

The next free family fun day will be Sunday, October 9th, 12 – 2:30 p.m. Guests can engage with the newest temporary exhibition, Three American Artists
on one of the 15 minute Tenacious Tours happening every half hour. Be
inspired to create your own work of art investigating energy and wind
like Alice Aycock, landscape and material like Barbara Sorensen, and
figure and metaphor like Deborah Butterfield. The galleries will remain
open until 4:00pm!