Birds of North America

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Birds of North America by Anna Ouyang Moench marks the triumphant return of Theater on the Edge (5542 Hansel Avenue Orlando Florida).

I last sketched at Theater on the Edge about 3 years ago. Life has been throwing curve balls which have kept the theater shuttered since then until now. I have always loved the productions in this tiny theater that always packs a punch.

This play is about a father, John, played by Allan Whitehead, and his daughter, Caitlyn, played by Elaitheia Quinn. The play takes place in the backyard of John’s home in Baltimore Maryland. The father daughter relationship is tested over the course of a decade tarting in the fall of 2010 as partners come and go, as creative dreams  die, as he retires and she struggles with single life again. They struggle to understand one another since he is very liberal and she works as a marketer for a far right think tank. The ones we love are often the ones we end up hurting the most.

I have seen these two actors before in past productions at Theater on the Edge and they are both powerhouses. Elaitheia’s performance as she recounts her miscarriage is heart wrenching. John is sure his scientific research will result in a vaccine that could save millions of lives, but ultimately that research hits a brick wall. Through all that life throws at the two they still take joy from seeing birds they have never encountered before and checking it off the life list. I fell in love with these two despite, or perhaps because, of their faults and quirks. By the  end of the show I was in tears.

I can not recommend this play enough. It will leave you wanting to hold those you love close. If you have pushed those you love away, it will leave you yearning to rekindle that spark. Birds of North America runs through May 18, 2025. Tickets are $28 to $34. In this intimate 30 seat theater there isn’t a bad seat in the house. Seriously, see this show! You will be glad you did.

Sculpture Mequoketa Iowa

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This sculpture popped up in downtown Mequoketa Iowa. it is called Gables by Daniel Caven. The sculpture is located at 129-141 S Main Street, Maquoketa, IA and was funded by the Meqoeketa Art Project.

The project was completed in 2018 and this is the artist’s statement about the piece… “The concept of ‘Gables’ is based on our small town’s residents; as it is composed of many different personalities from many different backgrounds and households. As diverse as each individual is, every resident resides under the same roof of community.

Maquoketa’s nickname, the “Timber City”, inspired the material palette for this piece. Looking to vernacular wood frame construction as the primary system, the project takes on a role of advancement to the centuries old technique. Conceptually, a singular gable creates an iconic symbol of home and when integrated with others gables it creates a three dimensional shelter. Adding more gabled systems creates a dynamic ever changing object for the downtown space.

‘Gables’ creates a visually appealing space that encourages interaction and a place of gathering, and creates a symbol and icon of community that acknowledges the people of Maquoketa.”

As I was sketching a local farmer stopped to look at what I was up too. His review of the sculpture was a little less esoteric. He said to me, ” It looks like Home Depot vomited this thing out downtown.”

The Byways of Iowa Public Art Initiative is placing public art throughout the communities of Iowa. To date over 17 communities have taken art in the initiative.

On this trip I also visited a painters studio called the Old City Hall Gallery. Work was arranged in all the rooms of the ground floor of the residence. It felt like a small museum of one artists work. Many of the paintings were accomplished portraits. I just knocked on the door and was eventually let in. Since I am assuming it is also a residence, you can’t just walk in. I was impressed with all the paintings. The work I saw was by Rose Frantzen who has gained national and international acclaim for her oil paintings from life that bring contemporary perspectives to a traditional alla prima approach. In addition to landscapes, still lifes, and figurative works, Frantzen creates serial and allegorical works that incorporate diverse stylistic elements along with gilding, stained glass, and mosaic. I was impressed by the abstract way she broke up come canvases into grid patterns that were also representational. I remember paintings being combines with unexpected found objects. Seeing her work made me want to study classic oil techniques at a renowned atelier. I have been painting digitally fo so long, I have forgotten what oil pints smell like. I kind of miss that smell and messiness.

Gorgeous at the Renaissance Theater

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Gorgeous is an irreverent new musical written by Donald Rupe. It is an absolutely hilarious play about the Ms. Golden Boot Pageant in the rural town of Saint Crowd Florida. Audience members had a choice to see this play on it’s own or stay and see Boots which followed shortly afterwards. Security at the Ren is tight which I appreciate in this day and age, especially in the Gunshine State.

A shorter version of this show premiered at the Orlando International Fringe Festival a few years ago to enthusiastic audiences and and critical acclaim. Many members of the audience for this show were in cowboy hats and they were ready for the playful romp.

A middle aged beauty played by Becca Jo Lightfoot, who had won the contest years ago had two daughters. One, petite wide eyed beauty played by Michelle Coben was intent to win the pageant for her mom. The mom had a hilarious musical number in which she outlined all the evil things she would do to be sure her daughter won. The other daughter played by Kendall Leamy, sat quietly at the front of the stage reading a book.

Svedka Stolichnaya, the town choreographer, played by Blake Aburn made a grand entrance dressed all in black with a black dress white wig and thick Russian accent. Every other word was a curse and he demanded respect. The contestants cowered as he yelled out his choreography instructions. Every contestant did their own thing in the confusion, except Kendall, who miraculously knew every move. Svenka adored her and insisted she join the contest. Blakes performance was always hilarious. Many of his barbs and asides felt improvised and the cast was just as shocked and amazed as the audience as how crass and hilarious he was.

At one point contestants wore decorative head pieces. A feisty and combative contestant wore a replica of the state capitol on her head and it distinctly looks like a penis. Michelle wore a KKK cup on her head which was a local brand of coffee. One contestant played by Isabella Benal was hoping to win money for her collage tuition. She wore a giant cross on her headpiece. There is a competition among churches n Florida to se who has the largest cross on display.

Michelle and her boyfriend did a hilarious number where he was Christ nailed to the cross and she was a sexy Mary. She got on her hands and knees and crawled towards him as if moving in for a BJ. She gyrated inn front of him and eventually separated his hands from the cross so her could hold her hips. I was laughing so hard I could not breath. I found myself laughing uncontrollably throughout the show.

One of the refrains is, “what good is it to be gorgeous, in an ugly world?” Blind ambition is tempered by generosity and caring by the end of the show allowing even the most viscous contestant to find the rewards of friendship.

Gorgeous runs through May 3, 2025 at the Renaissance Theater, 415 E Princeton Street, Orlando Florida. Don’t miss it bitches! This is a locally produced gem of a show. Tickets run from $40 to $50.

Easter Proposal

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Over the Easter weekend my friend and I drove south to visit her sister. I met my friend at UCF. She was presenting her masters finals so she had pulled an all nighter to create a large map of Florida that showed the Trail that she had hiked. Orange blazes along the trail marked the mile markers where she had created etchings. The beautiful etchings had thin intricate line work and each had one orange note of color which was a trail blaze. She used the grass paper we had created the weekend before to create the map.

After her presentation, I drove south and she leaned back and fell asleep. I thought I had set my Google maps to allow for toll roads but we ended up traveling down isolated farming roads with sweeping vistas. I was enjoying the views of horse country so I didn’t correct my mistake. Since my friend was asleep she wouldn’t know the difference. I pressed forward and felt at peace watching sunset light cut across open fields.

When we were getting close, my friend suggested we go to a Spanish Supermercado where we ordered some food and drink. I needed the bathroom. I have been studying Spanish on Duolingo and I should have been able to ask in Spanish but I blurted out “bathroom?” instead of “bańo?”. Ugh.

My friend’s sister has a degree in equine science and in business,owns horses and a mobile Equine Halotherapy business. She lives with Tim and their daughter in a lovely home. Tim planned a huge party to propose to my friend’s sister but she was told that it was a birthday party.When my friend and I first arrived we sat at the dining room table with Carolina who was discussing things that had gone wrong at a past party. My friend reassured her sister saying, “This may be a party you never forget.” She looked at me and we smiled.

On the morning of the party my friend’s sisteer took their daughter to ballet class and an egg hunt and then spent the rest of the afternoon resting in her bedroom under strict instructions not to come out, while the house was filled with balloons and flowers by Tim and two of his cousins. My friend and I worked outside to make the back yard an inviting place for guests to gather. We set up a large lawn canopy and several tables and lots of lawn chairs. We get things done. For some insane reason I decided to hand pull all the weeds away from a large fire pit. There were 3 dried out Christmas trees near the pit and I placed one in it. I figured it might be nice to set a bonfire after the sunset. I am a bit of a pyromaniac I suppose.

As we were working, we heard someone shout “Fire! FIRE!” Sure enough, black smoke and flames were pouring out of the screened back patio. we ran to the water hose which we had just been using to clean off lawn chairs and she turned the spigot while I ran with the end of the hose into the back patio. The grill was engulfed in flames and I sprayed it down until the flames sputtered out. There was no major property damage, just a large puddle of water around the grill and some soggy ribs. It happened in a flash. Carolina in her room must have heard the commotion, but decided to stay put at the swift end of it.

After the sweaty yard work, I took a shower and got into my Sunday best. I then started working on the sketch while we all waited for Tim to invite Carolina out of the bedroom. The wait was excruciating.  I left an area of my sketch open where I knew the proposal would happen. In front of the bedroom door were red and white rose petals arranged in a heart shape and flickering electric candles that spelled out, “Will You?” Then, arranged on a table were golden balloon letters that spelled out “Marry Me?” Tim arranged white carnations and sun flowers of the floor to create an aisle to where he presented the ring.

When my friend’s sister came out of the bedroom, her hands shot up to her face. I could see her expression of shock. Tim got down on one knee as she walked towards him. She got down on his level and there he presented the ring as their daughter looked on. My eyes welled up, I couldn’t help it. Across from me I could see a young woman trying to fight back the tears. As isolated as I became after divorce, I still hold joyous hope that couples can find love and build a life together. Life is short and it is so rewarding to share experiences with someone, while bearing witness to the many ups and downs of life.

After Tim presented the ring they hugged and kissed. my friend’s sister must have said yes to Tim, but very softly. Then she shouted out “YES” and everyone in the room clapped and shouted their approval. Corks popped and my friend invited everyone to toast the couple. Then came a magnificent feast of Colombian foods, ribs, chicken and cornbread, that I had never tried before and far too much pink cake. I soaked in the fast conversations in Spanish and got advice from my friend’s family on what accents to avoid if I wanted to sound like a scholarly Colombian. It was a glorious day. I was so happy to be there with a sketchbook in hand.

The Last Final

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By Thomas Thorspecken

I went to the UCF Graduate Student Finals to see howStella P. Arbelaéz Tascón used the grass paper I helped her create to finish her map of the Florida Scenic Trail. This was her last Final as she would be graduating in two weeks. She chose to display her work right near the exit to the studio, as if she had one foot out the door already.

When she was getting ready to cut the wood shape for the map, we agonized over the fact that the etchings she had created could not fit properly on the map. She finally said, that the wall the map would be displayed on was quite large, and the prints could easily float free of the map, anywhere on the wall. At that moment the map broke free of its limited four by four foot square conventions.

The board would not fit in her car, so we rigged up a support system with two pool noodles and long ties to get it to her studio on the roof of her Prius. She drove from Home Depot to her studio at 35 miles an hour to be sure the board didn’t lift and go airborne. It was an adventure.

We went to Michael’s to get natural cording to signify the trail. She purchased die and orange fluorescent paint to paint the cord orange. Ultimately she settled on the die for a natural look.  Nails with the head painted orange marked the sites of the mile markers which the etchings depicted.

She painted the back of the wooden map and each of the mounted prints a bright fluorescent green. That created a haunting effect of a green glow as the map and prints floated above the wall. Knowing how the map had evolved and all that was involved, I was impressed with the final result. She also handed out sheets of the grass paper for people to feel and smell. The map tied together eleven small etchings, which are the beginning of an ongoing series that she has been assembling of the trail.

During the course of the MFA program, her work evolved beyond depicting the physical and natural world of the trail as she started to reflect on her inner world and ultimately she began seeing that her art could help raise awareness about how the natural world needs to be protected. She wants her art to act as a steward to all the beauty she cherishes.

The map she created was not intended as a high concept museum display. It was instead an informal summation of the trail that she had traveled and the trail she has yet to travel. Three professors thought the piece felt too much like a tourist roadmap, or that it diminished the power of the prints. When my friend has a one woman show displaying all of the trail themed artworks she has created, I think the map will be a welcome addition to the wall sized introduction to her work and biography. It is one piece in a much larger puzzle.

She was asked by one professor, what she had mastered during her time in the program. She didn’t feel she  mastered any one artistic discipline because her pursuit for technical ability evolves on par with any artist, and she always strives to be better, But she is now a master of her ambition. She is no longer doubtful of her abilities, as she was after her divorce and before the program. She feels empowered, recharged and recommitted to herself as an artist and to a the larger cause of protecting nature as an advocate.

She leaves UCF knowing that she is limitless.

April 26- The last final. Please link to me.

Opera Orlando Cavalleria Rusticarna

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Cavalleria Rusticarna by Pietro Mascagni is an Italian tragedy which is in stark contrast to the first comedy in the double billing. Back stage I could hear the director telling the cast that they should be ready for a very loud snapping sound.

The opera is about unrequited love. Santuzza played by Audrey Babcock was excommunicated from the Catholic Church. Audrey’s voice had me transfixed and I stopped sketching long enough to read some of the subtitles as she set an Easter cures on her husband Turiddu played by Dominick Valdes-Chenes who had clearly wronged her. He wronged her by having an affair with Lola played by Avery Boettcher who is the wife of Alfio played by John Robert Green.

The entire cast was on stage celebrating a glorious Sunday morning when Alfio played by John Robert Green swept onto stage dressed all in black. He snapped a giant bull whip which snapped loudly. The shocked reactions of some of the cast were legitimate. Alfio had discovered the affair between his wife Lola and Turiddu and he was pissed! He later brandished a glittering blade to exact his revenge. The act was shockingly brutal.

Since I was sketching I had little time to read the subtitles but I could follow the action regardless.

The Opera show dates in this double billing are Friday & Sunday, April 25 & 27, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. & 2 p.m. Tickets are available now.

 

Hector Berlioz’s Beatrice + Benedict and Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana

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Hector Berlioz’s Beatrice + Benedict and Pietro Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana will be performed at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts in Steinmetz Hall on Friday & Sunday, April 25 & 27, 2025.  Show times are at 7:30 p.m. & 2 p.m.

I went to a dress rehearsal to sketch. Lighting cues were still being refined, but the opera flowed flawlessly.

This is a double billing. Both stories unfold on a fateful Easter day in the same town square of the Sicilian town of Messina. Since I was sketching, I didn’t read many subtitles, but one caught my eye as a woman set an Easter curse on a lover who clearly had scorned her. I didn’t realize there was such a thing as an Easter curse.

In this scene Beatrice, sung by mezzo-soprano Raphaella Medina, has sworn off love and marriage. The other women can not understand her callous nature and they try and convince her of loves charm. Beatrice is not so easily swayed. Berlioz’s comedy, is based on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. An arrogant and cavalier soldier named Benedict, sung by tenor Pedro Valdez has also made a pact to avoid marriage. Both were tricked into believing that the other has fallen for them and they battle wits and barbs before surrendering to love.

Front Porch Radio WPRK

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Julie Norris the owner of Spiral Circle Book Store is the host of Front Porch Radio. I stopped in to sketch on the day she was interviewing local book store owners. WPRK is located on the Rollins College campus. You can hear the entire broadcast of the Front Porch Radio Substack.

I contacted Julie shortly after a protest happened at her store from a right wing christian group. Spiral Circle offers books from a wide range of spiritual beliefs. A video in which one of her staff spoke to the protest leader went viral sparking renewed interest in the book store and sales soared. The protest which has the intent of shutting down book sales achieved the opposite as people rallied around the book store. Spiral Circle is soon celebrating their 50th anniversary Jubilee and it is the oldest independent bookstore in Orlando.

Across from Julie were the owners of New Romantics Bookstore, Jane Rodriguez, and Authentic Books.

New Romantics is a bookstore entirely devoted to romance novels. The owner had always wanted to have a bookstore and she simply decided to go for it. With the help of her family who literally helped renovate the space, she opened for business at 3018 Corrine Dr, Orlando, FL. Over 80% of her clients are woman and the store hosts many community events. One event that I would love to sketch is Stitch and Bitch but unfortunately I would not get there in time with the commute.

The New Romantics is a Romance-Only Bookstore featuring books from a diverse range of authors covering a wide range of romance genres. You’ll find every single type of romance genre. They create a safe, diverse space for all romance readers and uplift the romantic stories we read. The bookstore values community, inclusion, connection, empathy, love, passion, respect, and gratitude.

Authentic books at 1815 North Orange Avenue, Orlando Florida, has a very unique business model. The store packages books with scents flavors and objects that tie in with the book being read. Patrons who shop at the store are given a tote bag or box and they can pick up 3 items that tie in with the book they choose. The store expanded fast when it went online shipping boxes across the country. The idea grew so fast that it became a challenge to keep up with demand. Subscribers receive the best new fiction, paired with carefully selected items from the story that engage each of your 5 senses.

Sight of course is the new book you get to read. Smell is a candle picked to offer a scent that is reminiscent of the aromas found in the story. Taste offers drinks and treats that again tie in with the story. Touch offers self care goodies, and sound is a Spotify play list that matches the mood of the book. Each box becomes a full sensory experience.

After the show I went for tea with Julie and the owner of Authentic Books and I have such deep respect for these entrepreneurs who take calculated risks to grow their businesses. Things were booming as people broke free of social isolation, but the market quickly changes.

Sunset Fire

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I end many of my days by sitting on a 5 foot fallen and cut pine tree log and staring at a fire in the large fire pit.

There is nothing more soothing that watching the flames dance and keeping the fire burning as the sun sets. After dark, mosquitoes become far more active and will buzz my ears, possibly attracted by the glow of my iPad screen. I thought a hoodie might save my sanity from the buzzing but the sound of the attack is just as loud.

I have a few evenings where my virtual classes end at 6pm which allows for this sunset fire. I am getting better at scheduling sketch opportunities around Lake and Orange Counties. Most theater rehearsals or theater productions happen around this time and unfortunately the long commute back to Orlando makes it impossible for me to sketch many of those events that I used to sketch every day. Many evenings I am just exhausted and have work I need to do on theater posters, late into the night, so I set a fire to reset my brain into painting mode. I like to dash off quick paintings of the studio to get used to catching different lighting situations and to experiment with different brushes.

By the time the final embers settle it is time to go inside and make some dinner and get back to work. This time by the fire is my chance to reflect, listen to the birds, watch the warm light settle into dusk,  and feel connected to the land. After a short walk each morning, I work in the yard or on the house and feel that same connection to the place. A lone donkey is often hear braying off in the distance. I am so fortunate to have this time in a rural setting. I suspect that the time may soon come to an end with travel or a purchase of a homestead of my own. As I fix gutters, latches, and doors, I intend to one day leave the place improved. If travel is in the cards I intent to help with some far more major renovations which will make the place a very attractive rental opportunity for someone who sees the charm of the place, as I do.

La Niña

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I have been studying Spanish. Each time I eat a meal, I check in with Duolingo on my phone and do a lesson. My friend invited me to go to her sisters house where the family would be celebrating her sister’s birthday. Since I am studying Spanish, she felt it would be good for me to immerse myself in the family conversations, many of which would be in Spanish. She was absolutely right. I am thrilled each time the family speaks in Spanish. I catch maybe a quarter of what is said but the playful sing song exchanges are a thrill to listen too.

I met my friend at UCF where she was giving her finals presentation and then we hit the road. It was a long scenic drive on endless rural roadways. I loved driving through the wide open horse and cow country. She had pulled an all nighter to assemble a map using the paper we had created over the weekend. She was exhausted so she slept through most of the trip.

The original plan was for me to use a iPhone hot spot so I could teach a virtual student for most of the ride and I am glad that the class was canceled at the last minute. It would have been unfair to my friend to struggle to stay awake for that long drive.

She had a present for her niece. It was a curved long board. It is such a simple and sturdy toy that encourages balance. As soon as we arrived she and her niece played with it for the longest time in the living room. Stella lit up when she played with her niece. First she taught her how to straddle the board and treat it like a surf board rocking side to side.  Then it was turned over like a bridge and her niece jumped off with glee. Then her niece sat on the board and rocked side to side. This was certainly the safest and most balanced way to play.

A box of small animal toys was brought out and the animals hid under the long board bridge like trolls. my friend played with the animals allowing them to chase a ball. All of the interactions were in Spanish and it was such a good learning experience for me. Elephante was one of the first words I learned in Spanish and sure enough there was a small stuffed elephant. She also read a book to her niece in Spanish and I was on the edge of my seat hanging on every word. Playtime and pre-school learning are such a thrill for me as I slowly pick up a new language.

On the trip down we stopped in a Spanish supermercado. I needed a bathroom and like a dope asked in English. Afterwards I realized I know how to ask for a bathroom. “Yo necesito uno baño.” I need to get more daring in using the language I am slowly learning. As in art, mistakes are inevitable. I will learn faster if I take more chances and use what I have learned. I now have 2 days of absolute Spanish immersion. Every playful exchange my friend has with her niece is a gold mine of fluent Spanish. She reads the children books that are printed in English and translates them for her niece in Spanish. She created several movies with those translations and I want to look at the movies which should be another gold mine.

During her all nighter creating a map with the grass paper she discovered an online channel that has an endless stream of Colombia soap operas. She described the over the top villainous and sexy leading lady. Sweet innocent couples were forced into  turning to a life of evil due to circumstances. The plot twists were silly and unrealistic but that is what makes it sound so fun. If I were to watch this soap opera first with English subtitle and then without them, I should start picking up phrases and conversational Spanish. At least that is my hope.