#DisarmHate Art Expression at Falcon Bar.

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#Disarm Hate is an art show at Falcon Bar, (819 E Washington St, Orlando, FL) in which local artists address the issue of rampant gun violence in America. Since the 49 Pulse Portraits of Pulse victims was created at Falcon Bar, it seemed appropriate to hang them for this show. Melissa Marie hung the portraits clothes line style on string I had provided using electrical clamps. She didn’t peal the name tags off the backs of the sketches, so I did the when I arrived at the opening. People would stop and linger, looking at all the faces be for they would make their way to the bar to order a drink. 

Artist Plineo Pinto sold a watercolor of someone who was shot by an arrow and the Pulse logo was under the wound. H had a red dot when I arrived. The commission that The Falcon collects on art sales will be donated to 501(c)(3) Nonprofit http://PulseOfOrlando.org/


Artist Holly Tharp was at the opening. She had two pieces in the show, one of a woman collapsed over a gun’s bullet cylinder and the other of a Buddah. Melissa Doskotz had a beautiful rainbow colored heart made from thin Strips of paper curled with interlacing spirals in a shadow box frame. That piece as just $270 which is a steal. All of the 49 Portraits can be seen in the short video, “Finger o the Pulse” but there is nothing like seeing the art is person. The art will continue to be on display until September 9, 2016.

Josean Garcia at Hamburger Mary’s

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Josean Garcia and I met at Hamburger Mary’s on Church Street. I
was there first. I didn’t know what he looked like and he didn’t know
what I looked like, but we found each other. Hannah Miller who founded AdoptOrlando, was meeting us as well, but her car got rear ended by some guy rubbernecking rather than paying attention to traffic. She arrived shortly after Josean and I had met.

I was seated by the waitress at a round table in the center of the room. I thought a booth might be
better, but accepted the location offered. He felt
uncomfortable when he arrived, with his back exposed to a room full of people that he
couldn’t see. We moved to a booth close to a back exit door. I felt more
comfortable and so did he. He now always thinks about possible escape
routes anytime he is in a public place.

Josean has experienced an incredible amount of loss. First, he lost his mother, Deserie Garcia, and then on June 12th he lost his best friends Amanda and Mercedes at Pulse. He escaped from the nightclub that evening. “It’s been two months since my best friends , my sisters joined my mother in heaven.” he said on Facebook on August 12th.

Josean is an incredibly talented singer and song writer. His R&B music often addresses the darker side of life. Since the horrible shootings at Pulse, his life has been on hold. He can’t believe this happened in Orlando and that he was there. I love that he feels Orlando has gained a new found “weirdness” along with the
incredible outpouring of acceptance. Rainbow flags are still
seen everywhere. He will
start creating music again when the time is right. He is thinking that New York City could be where he should go to further his career. When we got our wines, he insisted we toast. His grandmother always said
the you should toast anytime you are with friends to celebrate life. We
all need to feel a connection to friends. He knows how to celebrate life while remembering his dearest friends lost at Pulse.

You can donate to the Amanda Alvear or Mercedes Flores GoFundMe accounts if to would like to help.

Finger on the Pulse at the Livingroom Theater Shorts Program .

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Banks Helfrich and Tisse Mallon present independent local films in real, live living rooms. Living Room Screening events go beyond movie night and into a shared experience which includes the film, the creator and the reflections and thoughts of the audience.
This evening’s intimate experience consisted of a number of short films and a conversation with the creators.

Having just finished editing “Finger on the Pulse“, I sent Tisse and Banks a Facebook messages asking if the short was a good fit for then Living room Theater Shorts program. Amazingly my last minute submission squeaked into the lineup.

Filmmakers included.

Ariel Zengotita
Kevin O’Neill
Rokaya Mikhailenko
Logan Anderson
Ferio Dismo

  My film, “Finger on the Pulse” began and the room fell silent.
You could hear a pin drop. I thought something might be wrong. When the
credits rolled there was an unexpected thunderous applause. In the talk
back I described my experience showing the 49 portraits at the Orlando Science Center,
and once again I choked up when I described how one victim’s sister
reacted when she saw the exhibit. I was advised to Show the film at the Enzian Film Slam and the Global Peace Film Festival. I need to clean up the edit and burn it to DVD to make those submissions.

My favorite film was titled “Lean” by director Kevin O’Neill. In that film, actor Dennis Neil sat in a rocking chair on to porch of a weathered southern cabin. He held a tiny music box and the camera zoomed in o his face as he remembered his past. The flash back scene was saturated white in a southern school room. A pretty girl with blond curls pay full glances back at the boy as they both do their school work. She places the music box on his desk. Later, he is helping her with her homework and their fingers touch above the school book. A storm breaks out and they run outside to dance in the rain. I felt uncomfortable. with a black boy and white girl playing together in the south, things couldn’t end well. The boy sits down in the mud and the girl follows suit. His white shirt and her white dress are soon playfully covered in mud. He reaches out to hold her beautiful curls and then they hold hands. Just then the girls mom drives up and she drags her daughter away. We flash back to the present and Dennis goes inside the cabin and hands the music box to a woman in bed. She looks sick but has the same beautiful blond hair. The moral is that love sees no color. I loved the film.

Other films included a toy car that acted like a caterpillar and built a cocoon to become an airplane, by Ariel Zengotita. A poetic southern travelogue by Logan Anderson, A quirky film about science and perception by Ferio Dismo, and a hot Flamenco dance piece that followed the dancer’sromance, motherhood, and ultimately her husband’ death by Rokaya Mikhailenko.

Universal City Walk Perspective.

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I went to Universal City Walk on assignment for Querto Press to do a step by step sequence that showed how I would approach a scene with multiple vanishing points. This scene has five different vanishing points because all the buildings are at different angles to each other. The book on Perspective that this sketch was done for also has a large section in the back that feature drawings done in Orlando that can be completed by students to learn about one, two and three point perspective.

I was at the location with a friend a month before but there wasn’t him to sketch. Unfortunately security at Universal Studios considers an artist stool as a threat, and I had to walk back to my car to get rid of it. Going to sketch in such a controlled environment has it’s disadvantages.

At ant theme park setting there is always a wall of tourists walking around. It becomes a challenge to decide which tourists to include and where. If someone stands a few feet in front of me blocking much of the view, they are ignored. I had a hotdog at a street vendor around the corner and the dog was quite good, but expensive. Although I used to live only a quarter mile away from City Walk, I seldom went, because I prefer to keep my distance from the tourist hoards.

Would it be possible for a madman with an assault rifle to go on a shooting spree at City Walk? Most likely the answer is yes, but he couldn’t sit on his own stool.

Extreme Perspective Art Show at Dandelion Communitea Cafe.

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Extreme Perspective Art Show at Dandelion Communitea Cafe (618 N Thornton Ave, Orlando, FL) Art is a show is all about an EXTREME perspective, either something grand, vast, expansive, large, or something tiny, cellular, small, minute or something from a perspective of enormous, like a very large collection of items or something extremely close up and uncomfortable or something from a unique and unusual perspective.

I submitted a framed original of a sketch I did at Fantasy Surf. At Fantasy Surf you can ride an artificial wave that never ends. Water is shot up over a plastic shaped wave and you can do tricks otherwise impossible in the ocean since you can hop down on the Past is surface to set up for spins o flips. The original piece of art is discounted since I didn’t add in the cost of the frame which was an up front cost for another show.

Theresa Touhey curated the show and when I arrived at the opening, she was seated at a table with

Natassia Dudack. Theresa reminded me about how her boyfriend spotted m in a Documentary about performance Artist Marina Abramovic. I flew into NYC on the final day of her extended performance of, The Artist is Present. Brian Feldman who was an Orlando performance artist at the time convinced me to sketch him sitting opposite Maria as they stared at each other. I got some decent sketches that day, but I still haven’t seen the documentary. 

I got to talk to artist Natassia Dudack, a bit at the opening. She had several delicate and well observed paintings of flowers in the show. Paintings on her cell phone portfolio hint at Buddhist themes to her work. One had a golden symbol for the “oohm” phrase uttered when meditating. She is also branching out to curate shows on her own. At the table in front of me, a family was out to show their support for Natassia. The mom was also an artist who does exquisite calligraphy brush paintings. The dad told me about his recent trip back to New Jersey where he went to his childhood home. The front door still had a carving that his dad had created over 45 years ago. Some art does last through the generations.

I joined Bethany Taylor Myers and her friends at a corner table for a while to catch up and laugh to a bit. Bethany has been friends with many artists in the room ever since she was 17 years old. It is reassuring to know that some friendships can stand the test of time.

Extreme Perspective will remain at Dandelion Communitea Cafe until September 3rd. Stop out to experience some local art.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for August 13th and 14th.

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Saturday August 13, 2016 

7pm to 9pm Free but lanterns cost. 4th Annual Canine Memorial at Lake Baldwin. Harbor Park at Lake Baldwin 4990 New Broad St, Orlando, Florida. We got rained out last time and as you can imagine, we were all beyond disappointed. The great news is that due to popular demand, we were able to reschedule it right away, and better yet, all the key players are on board. So lets try this again!

We started this event four years ago when a very important member of our family, our beloved golden retriever Brandon, died. As anyone who considers a dog a companion knows, the intense pain that accompanies this loss was unbearable. Unfortunately, and as most pet parents often do, we grieved alone. During the following months, as our family grieved over our pet, friends, neighbors and even strangers shared their stories of loss and bereavement with us. That’s when it became painfully obvious to us that we all shared the same feelings of isolation as there wasn’t much support out there for those who grieve for a pet.

We realized that what we all needed most as a group was to have our feelings validated…

Motivated by that, my daughters and I decided to coordinate a collective memorial in order to provide everyone with the opportunity to honor and bid farewell to their treasured companions. The first Canine Memorial was held on the one year anniversary of our beloved Brandon’s passing, July 27th, 2013.

On that day, the cities of Orlando and Winter Park, Florida united to help us create the most beautiful and unique ceremony; one that brought together animal lovers from near and far, who expressed their sorrow by decorating lanterns in honor of their canines. These lanterns were then released into the water to carry away the heartwarming messages written to their beloved.

For some, it was the first real opportunity to say goodbye to their companion!

Sadly, and as expected, many more dogs have crossed over since our first memorial, leaving behind many families in need of an outlet for their grief. We must continue our mission…

Please join us Saturday, August 13th and you too will have the opportunity to honor the memory of a canine companion you have loved and lost.

An experience you don’t want to miss!

Just like last year, the entire ceremony will take place at the beautiful Harbor Park in Baldwin Park.

Please reserve your lantern to guarantee availability. Absentee lanterns are available as well, anyone in the world can order a lantern that will be decorated and released by a volunteer. For more information: contact Jannette at 561-577-7050/FloatingLanternMemorials.com or info@FloatingLanternMemorials.com

You can help us promote the memorial by posting this link.

As in previous years, we respectfully request that attendees refrain from bringing their dogs.

7pm to 9pm. Suggested donation $20. Living Room Theater – Community Show. 736 Boardman St, Orlando, FL. Tisse Mallon, Banks Helfrich and Jack Graham present an experiential, exclusive performance in a living room.

This unique 70 minute show consists of short segments focused on fun, connection and authenticity. From the funny to the serious, from the commonplace to the absurd, these original works take the audience on an emotional journey.

A few things for you to know:

– Due to the intimate nature of the show, no late arrivals can be accommodated.

– While not lewd or vulgar, this show is recommended for ages 18 and up.

– The show lasts approx. 70 minutes.

– There will be time for discussion afterward.

NOTE: Due to limited space, we can only accommodate a certain number of people. Admission is on a first come basis.

7:30pm to 9:30pm Free. Ryler Dustin’s Farewell Reading. Kerouac House 1418 Clouser Ave, Orlando, Florida. Please join as as we bid farewell to our summer resident writer, Ryler Dustin. Bring something to drink if you like and listen to what Ryler has been working on while living in the Kerouac House.

Sunday August 14, 2016 

10am to 4pm Free. Lake Eola Farmers Market. South East corner of Lake Eola Park.

Noon to 2pm Donation based.  Community YogART class: 7 Chakra series. Artegon Marketplace 5250 International Dr, Orlando, Florida. Every 2nd Sunday of the month YogART will be hosting FREE Color Therapy Yoga classes for the community at Artegon Marketplace (located in the community room across from section B6 – use movie theater entrance)

We are excited to bring you our “7 Chakra Series” that will focus each class on each individual chakra: breaking down it’s color, meaning, location and function. This particular class will revolve around our second major energy point known as “The Sacral Chakra”.

Color Therapy glasses will also be provided for those who wish to experience the effects of color therapy. Orange will be the primary focus for our Root Chakra but you may wear any color you want to work with.

This is an ALL LEVELS class which incorporates stretching, breathing exercises and light yoga poses geared around the Sacral Chakra.

We also have a color wheel on our site that explains the benefit of each color (glasses) Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet. http://www.yogartinc.com/color-therapy-chart/Please bring your own yoga mat and prepare to unwind

Check out our lovely YogART instructor’s website for more info on her, and some great articles:

www.jamiecrowell.com

*Any children who attend must be able to participate in the session quietly to respect the space of other guests. If your child is unable to partake without disruption we ask that you please refrain from bringing them. Thank you! Namaste ~

For more info contact us at:

info@yogartinc.com

1pm to 5:30pm Free. Family Day on the Second Sunday. The Mennello Museum of American Art, 900 East Princeton Street, Orlando, FL. 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.

JiggleMan at the Windermere Public Library

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I got to the Windermere Public Library just before 10am. A large white Colonial building was locked. I backed up and realized that I was trying to get into the Windermere Town Hall. The Library was actually behind the town hall. The tip off was a bronze sculpture of a child reading a book. There was a woman waiting at the front door. “Is it locked?” I asked. “They open at 10am, and not a minute earlier.” she replied. As we waited, parents and their children started to arrive. There were rocking chairs on the porch and tat young boys rocked excitedly. They had seen JiggleMan the year before. The mom explained that JiggleMan entertained the parents as well as the kids.

The door to the library opened and the kids rushed in like they were Black Friday shoppers. The event was going to take place in a separate meeting room but the glass doors were closed. I waited with parents and their kids in the hallway. Tisse MalIon arrived and then Banks Helfrich. He signaled me to come in a bit early to set up. Banks is JiggleMan. Tisse began blowing up large balloons with an electric blower. The kids in the hallway pressed their noses up against the glass doors and shouted with excitement each time That she started to fill a new balloon. One mom joked, “Who needs a show, just blowing up the balloons is enough.”

Banks put a line of masking tape on the floor to mark the leading edge of his stage. He quickly changed into a black jumpsuit with baggy black shorts in the bathroom. Tisse announced, “I’m going to let them in” “No, give me a minute.” Banks replied. He did a handstand and seemed to stay there forever. I sketched quickly. I could hearth kids in the hallway shooting the obvious. “He’s doing a handstand Mom, look!”

Tisse opened the doors and the kids sat on the floor behind the masking tape line. there was excitement and squirming as they all settled in. JiggleMan entered from the back of the room, walking a bit like a penguin in straight lines in all the open gaps in the audience. I was reminded of Charlie Chaplin. The kids were already enthralled. He ultimately found a front row seat, and waited along with the kids. Then he walked up to the boom box and adjusted the music, Shaking his bootie when he found a beat he liked. the kids loved his antics.

The show is a high energy romp with plenty of fun props. A pink balloon was bounced off the walls and balanced on JiggleMan’s head. He ran from the balloon as if in a slow motion chase scene.  The entire room of kids was shouting with delight. They were as fun to watch as the show itself. JiggleMan pulled out an electric blower and proceeded to clap at it and shake it, to turn it on. The kids shouted excitedly that he needed to “turn it on!’ When he did, the blast of air hit him in the face, contorting his features to comic effect. The blower was stood on end and small balloons were suspended in the air flow as if by magic.

The larger balloons were used to even larger comic effect. I don’t want to give too much away, you have to experience JiggleMan for yourself. I had a blast! Mark your Calendar,

Thursday, August 11

11:00amJiggleMan @ Southeast Branch Library

Friday, August 12

10:30amJiggleMan @ Herndon Branch Library

Saturday, September 17

2:00pmFree JiggleMan Show @ Hiawassee Branch Library (Orange)

Wednesday, October 12

10:00amJiggleMan @ Lakeland Square Mall

4:30pmFree JiggleMan Show @ South Trail Branch Library (Orange)

Friday, October 14

10:30amFree JiggleMan Show @ Southwest Branch Library (Orange)

Snap! print day sale.

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Snap! Space, (1013 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, FL) held a Snap! print day sale with limited editions, and or open edition prints from local and international artists selected by Snap!
Tables were set up throughout the space for artists.

Each participant had their own photos to showcase and have some type of take away envelope or packaging for buyers to walk away with. I decided to participate, and I sketched the other artists displaying their work as I sat at my table. Chris Tobar was seated at the table beside me with a large tiger print behind him. Chris is now the art director at the Orlando Weekly. It was nice to meet the other artists and see their work. Although it was a pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon, I unfortunately didn’t sell a single print.

The Central Florida Storytellers Guild.

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A friend advised me to sketch the Central Florida Storytellers Guild which meets each month in the Community Room of the Winter Park Library. I was very glad I went. It was a welcoming group, and if I we to ever share my own stories, I thin this would be a relaxed and encouraging group encouraging group to share stories with. Each storyteller pick a name from a hat to decide who is next to go on stage. Madeline Pots saw that I was new to the group, so she sat down and chatted with me for a bit. I had heard her tell a story once before at the Abbey. Her voice is distinctive with a soothing melodic flow. The Store told at the Abby was about how she let her artist husband do a full body cast of her. He had to step a way and the plaster began to seep into the air holes. The story was both terrify in and funny sin she lived to tell the tale. We all go to crazy lengths for love.

I sketched Madeline as she told a very funny story about how she had to wear green bloomers in gym class. Although not life threatening, the story involved the embarrassment of being dressed different than everyone else. Her adolescent desire was to conform, but as an adult to conform, but as an adult, I think she realized. the being unique has its advantages.

The fellow in the red shirt told a story about his boyhood idol, Gene Autry. He would watch Gene every chance he could get on TV. At a huge event at Madison Square Garden, tie finally got to see his idol in person. When Gene took off his cowboy hat, his hair piece came off with the hat. Even idols put on their pants one leg at a time. of course, my brash summaries are nothing compared to the actual tales, so you need to experience them for yourself.

Each story was unique and heart felt. It is hard to imagine that people willingly sit at home watching tr all night, when they could be out enjoying each others company and share in the is own great stories. Mark your calendar! Storytellers guild meeting are on the first Tuesday of each month at 7pm in the communist room in the win the Park Public Library (460 E New England Ave, Winter Park, FL). The next meeting is September 6th.

Tonight August 8th Pete Abdulla is the featured storyteller at the Windsor Rose Restaurant and British Tea Room (142 W 4th Ave, Mt Dora, FL Mount Dora). He begins his tale at about 1:30p.m.