Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra Performance at Lake Eola.

Posted on December 30, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

On Saturday, December 5, the Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra kicked off the holiday season with the sixth annual WKMG News 6 Holiday Concert benefiting the Salvation Army. It was a spirited performance of holiday-inspired classics at Lake Eola Park. In celebration of the holiday season, the event was broadcast live by WKMG Local 6, and featured all four orchestras of the FSYO.

“It’s a highlight of our year to partner with WKMG and have our student musicians provide live music in the annual holiday concert at Lake Eola,” said FSYO President Stephen Schenck. “This concert gives us the opportunity to celebrate the holiday season with the community and at the same time help the Salvation Army Angel Tree Program, which provides children in our community gifts to open Christmas morning. Gifts they would not normally receive.”

Hosted by WKMG the News 6 Morning Show talent, Bridgett Ellison and David Hall, the concert featured holiday sing-alongs and a very special appearance by Santa Claus. I also spotted a cow wearing a Santa cap, but I didn’t manage to get it in the sketch. Admission was free to all, but a monetary donation or unwrapped toy donation for the Salvation Army was encouraged.

The Florida Symphony Youth Orchestra aims to educate and inspire Central Florida’s top young musicians through programs committed to strengthening musical talents and developing appreciation of the arts through classical music. The FSYO, in its 59th Concert Season, comprised of three full orchestras, one string training orchestra and various chamber groups, made up of more than 250 students from eight Central Florida counties, including Orange, Osceola, Lee, Seminole, Brevard, Lake, Highlands and Volusia. Programs are sponsored in part by the Florida Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs; the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; and United Arts of Central Florida.

SNAP! SPACE Presented : ‘Structure & Perspective’.

Posted on December 29, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

I went to the opening of Structure and Perspective at Snap! Space (1013 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL). The show examined the intersection of organic and man made forms such as those found in the distinction of body forms and building forms. Curated by Patrick and Holly Kahn, the exhibit featured the works of nine national and international renowned fine art photographers, painters and sculptors.

Artists in attendance:

• Juan Travieso (Miami)

• Iran Issa-Khan (Miami)

• Dan Hess (Orlando)

• Christoph Morlinghaus (Germany)

• Marco Gallotta (NY)

• Patricia Van de Camp (Amsterdam)

• Jeff Frost (Los Angeles)

• Ryan Buyssens (Orlando)

• Jim Kazanjian (Portland)

• Rebecca Szeto (San Francisco)

Opening night featured cocktails by The Courtesy Bar, music by resident DJ Nigel John, Snap! Space Art Store, and Bibliotheque.

This exhibit was the part two of a program which will be culminating in May 2015 with ‘YOU ARE HERE,’ a citywide event supported in part by Orange County Arts and Cultural Affairs. The first installment, ‘IDENTITY,’ explored how roots may define who we are.

Snap! Space is the 5,000 sq. ft. indoor/outdoor gallery home of Snap! Orlando, a 501(c) 3 charitable foundation with the mission to celebrate master photographers, and artists, discover and cultivate emerging talent and promote the appreciation of photography and art worldwide.

Terry’s day at the test track.

Posted on December 28, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

My wife, Terry Thorspecken is a member of a Porche Club. The club has test track outings, driver training and a fun road rally where racers search for clues on road side signs. This test track was set up in a parking lot near a police gun range up north of Mount Dora. From the second we arrived, gunfire punctuated every moment. An SUV pulled up with a trailer that opened up to become the announcer’s station. The American flag fluttered in the breeze. Across the road was z grass covered landfill where model airplane enthusiasts flew their high pitched prop model airplanes.

Terry rented a driver’s helmet which every drive had to wear. She put a strip of tape on her car door to let the other drivers know this she was number 1. Actually being number 1 isn’t necessarily a good thing. It indicated that she was a beginner, and this was her first time on the track. At first a driving coach took the passenger seat to give her pointers on how to attack the track which consisted of a series of cones. Each run was digitally timed. The announcer joked during her first run, saying that she was relaxing and taking her time on a leisurely Sunday drive. With all the track noise she couldn’t hear the announcer. Her first run was 87.882 seconds. On car did spin out of control at one point, hinting that this is actually a dangerous sport. The car windows had to be open, just, case a driver had to be dragged out of a wreck.

After a run, each car then had to line up on a long line to wait for the next run. It is easy to say that the drivers waited far more than they drove. There was always only one car on the track at a time. Terry’s second run dropped down to 73.646 seconds and by the end of the day she had her drive time down to 63.18 seconds. Though she didn’t get close to the best time for the day, she might has qualified as the most improved driver for the day.

Functionally Literate

Posted on December 27, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

Functionally Literate is Burrow Press‘ quarterly-ish reading series that aims to connect, entertain, and possibly intoxicate, Orlando’s community of writers, bookworms, lit nerds, and the intellectually curious. Each Function pairs the best writers in Central Florida with visiting writers from all over the world. This event was held at The Gallery at Avalon Island.

This sketch is of John King who earned his MFA from New York University in 2010. His work has appeared in Palooka, Gargoyle, The Newer York, the 15 Views of Orlando
project, and others. He is currently a composition Sherpa at the
University of Central Florida, and he is the host of the amazing writing
podcast, The Drunken Odyssey.

I always love sketching these readings because as I sketch, my mind wanders allowing me to imagine the scene the author is painting. This is what a creative community is all about. An intimate audience gathering to share stories. The next Functionally Literate event will be held on January 16th at 7pm at the Orlando Shakespeare Theater (812 East Rollins Street Orlando FL). Authors will include Matthew Salesses and Kristen Arnett.

Weekend Top 6 Picks for December 26th and 27th.

Posted on December 26, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

Saturday December 26, 2015

Things will be very quiet the day after Christmas. Your best bet, to check out some Extreme Christmas Light Displays in the evening and relax with family. Oh and of course see Star Wars.

9am to 3pm Free. Sanford Farmer’s Market. First & Magnolia in Downtown Sanford.

6pm to 8pm Free. Brewery Tour. Orlando Brewing, 1301 Atlanta Ave, Orlando, FL.

9:30pm to 11:30pm Free, but get a meal or drink. Son Flamenco. Ceviche Tapas Orlando, 125 W Church St, Orlando, FL.

Sunday December 27, 2015

Noon to 2pm Free but grab a bite. Florida Gospel Jam. Fish on Fire 7937 Daetwyler Drive Belle Isle FL. Every 2nd and 4th Sunday.

1pm to 3pm. Free. Yoga. Lake Eola Park, 195 N Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL. Every week.

9pm to 11pm Free. Comedy Open Mic. Free comedy show! Come out & laugh, or give it a try yourself.

Merry Christmas

Posted on December 25, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

This is a sketch of the Sunday service at Trinity Lutheran Church Downtown (123 E Livingston St, Orlando, FL) near the courthouse. The church reminds me of the Methodist Church my family used to attend in Dumont New Jersey. The lighting and exposed beam ceiling are almost identical. There is something calming about sketching the vertical space that insists you look upward.

This was toward the end of this pastors stay at the
church. Every couple of years the pastors have to move to a new parish. The sketch was given to him by the parishioners as a parting gift. I
found this print in my files an realized that I had never posted the
sketch. Christmas seemed the right time to finally share this warm
inviting interior. Trinity has a 10am worship service on Christmas Day.

I was raise Methodist by my mother Elvira, but my father us a non-practicing Catholic. He later beam a practicing Methodist when he married my stepmom Ruth. In researching my family history, it seems that my family’s religion changed every other generation. When I researched back to the Thorspeckens in Germany, the documents come from Lutheran churches.

Part of me has wanted to do a series of sketches of church services in Orlando. There is certainly no shortage of churches. I would simply seek out a different church ever Sunday. However, Sunday is also a day of rest and I made a commitment to not sketch on Sundays and instead devote that day to family.

Creating Art is a Cime in Saint Augustine.

Posted on December 24, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

Back in 2009 Saint Augustine city officials wrote an an ordinance that banned the creation of art in public spaces. Painting or sketching city parks became a crime punishable with 60 days in jail and a fine of $500. In the ordinance, artists are grouped together with street performers, and vendors. Performers in the law includes, “acting, singing, playing musical instruments, pantomime, mime, magic, juggling, artistry or the creation of visual art, and wares, which means drawings or paintings applied to paper, cardboard, canvas, cloth or other similar medium when such art is applied to the medium through the use of brush, pastel, crayon, pencil, spray or other similar object, and the creation, display and/or sale of crafts made by hand or otherwise.”

This clearly contradicts our first amendment rights which allows for freedom of speech and freedom of the press. The law bans art on 8 public streets and 4 public parks and green spaces. My first reaction was indignation and then I found out about a protest that was going to be held in front of the Lightner Museum and City Chambers (75 King Street Saint Augustine). The city is celebrating its 450th birthday and this law seems like it was written back before there was a US Constitution. Sections of King Street are included in the ban on creativity but I couldn’t find out online if it was illegal to sketch on the block where the protest was being staged. My original plan was to do a digital sketch, which would seem to fall outside the laws limited definition of visual art. The protest was at noon however, so I returned to work in an old fashioned sketchbook. Imagine toddlers scribbling with crayons in their sketchbook getting arrested. Illegal or not, it was time for a road trip and a sketch.

I believe this insane law was put in place because the historic parks were being turned into a free for all flea market. Vendors sell all forms of tourist trinkets, including snacks, sunglasses and clothing. Brick and mortar merchants must have wanted the ban so that they wouldn’t loose a dime in tourist sales. Some performers would attract large crowds of tourists who would sometimes block traffic. If the city would ban the tourists, then there would be no problem.

Saint Augustine City commissioners do not seem to mind having artists creating in public, but artists are still bundled into the law prohibiting performers and vendors. It should be noted that artists are not performers and they seldom attract a crowd. While the flea market continues, police turn a blind eye. The police do however take photos of artists at work in an effort to build a case against them. Artists are being considered a threat to public safety and a visual blight. There are 12 spots in the plaza that are legally available for $75 a month to rent, and these are given out on a lottery based system. Even if an artist were lucky enough to rent a spot in the park, it certainly wouldn’t offer the historic views that beg to be sketched all over the city.

My primary concern as I drove into Saint Augustine was the parking. 450 years ago the city streets were set up with only pedestrian traffic in mind. The streets are narrow and often one way. Parking meters charge $1.50 an hour with a time limit of 3 hours. Clearly I would have to execute the sketch with that 3 hour window and then get the hell out of Dodge. The museum parking lot was full and I didn’t have enough quarters for a meter, so I got lost on the suburban side streets until miraculously a parking spot appeared. I’m thankful that I didn’t pay the city to document the protest.

I was quite nervous as I began the sketch. Every line was an act of civil disobedience. A musician pulled up behind me on his medical scooter. He had a friendly old Labrador retriever who wore sun glasses, a white beard and a Santa cap. As a musician, he clearly is affected by the law. He was looking forward to giving a speech later in the day. As I sketched the gorgeous architecture several dozen protesters gathered on King Street holding signs that said Art is not Crime, Freedom of Expression, and Spend 60 Days in Jail. Sketching was the perfect way to document this protest. One protester told me that the Mayor would at some point notice the protest when she glanced out her window. She would then likely have the police chase the protesters off. A silly little red tourist trolley stopped in from of the protesters. The driver was annoyed that shouts of “Art is not a crime!” interrupted his endless monotone scripted spiel. One police cruiser passed the protest without incident. Apparently you need to stay in motion when you are protesting. Protesters paced back and forth. As an artist, I was the only one who remained completely still and therefor I might be suspect.

Angel Jones welcomed me and handed me her card in case police gave me trouble for sketching in public. I was told that handing out business cards in Saint Augustine is also illegal. Angel was definitely the protests greatest cheerleader. When cars honked their approval, she would shout and cheer. Her enthusiasm was contagious. From across the street she shouted to me, “Don’t worry, if the police show up we will surround you. I’ll chain myself to your chair if I have to!” She was hilarious.

A Japanese family stopped to watch as I sketched. The little girl almost pressed her nose to the page as she crowded in to watch intently. The last thing I wanted was to draw a crowd because that is what got this insane law started. The trouble is that people love to to watch artists sketch. People kept asking me about the protest, so I got a chance to inform people over and over again as I worked. Limiting artistic expression is an issue that is near to my heart. Winter Park, which is a place I sketch often, is considering a similar ban on artists. Their reasoning is that artists hinder foot traffic on public side walks. This insanity is getting closer to home.

As I was finishing up sketch, some one told me that the area where I was sketching was safe from the ban on artists. Had I sketched one block east, it would have bee a different story. The city needs anti-art signs to let people know where creativity is prohibited. Maybe there should be an anti-art curb color to ward off possible painters or sketchers. It would have be nice to know it was safe to sketch earlier, the sketch might have been less frantic. I posted a picture of my sketch in progress on Instagram and close to 300 people have joined the conversation on the issue. Protests in Saint Augustine will be happening biweekly. When my sketch was done, I got out of that backward city as fast as I could.

The ongoing case to overturn this ordinance is in federal court, and a ruling
is pending. Change comes slowly, and this battle has been going on for too long, but you can help by telling others about this crazy law and of course you can e-mail city commissioners to let them know how you feel about St. Augustine’s current anti-artist laws. As Queen Victoria said, “Beware of artists because they mix with all classes of society and are therefore most dangerous.” The next step could be burning books.

Nancy Shaver, Mayor
NShaver@citystaug.com

Roxanne Horvath, Vice Mayor/Commissioner
RHorvath@citystaug.com

Leanna Freeman, Commissioner
LFreeman@citystaug.com

Todd Neville, Commissioner
TNeville@citystaug.com

Nancy Sikes-Kline, Commissioner
NSikesKline@citystaug.com

Wonderland – The Gift of Creativity.

Posted on December 23, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

Anytime you walk into True Serenity (1100 Montana St, Orlando, Florida), you feel the love. Tod Caviness was playing with his son in the front parlor. I had arrived a bit early, so people were still setting up. Tara Chiavetta who owns True Serenity gave me a warm welcome. This quaint bungalow offers gentle yoga, Chakra healing workshops, energy readings, and Reiki Circles. Today however it us a Magical Wonderland. Members of Orlando’s creative local community offered unique arts, crafts and holistic gifts for the holidays.

I went outside where vendors were lined up in the driveway. Tisse Mallon and Banks Helfrich had a Listening Booth set up. The concept is simple and elegant you sit down and Tisse or Banks will listen intently to what you have to say. Tisse explained that some people get quite emotional since having someone truly listen is becoming a rare commodity today. It reminded me of Marina Abramovie‘s “The Artist is Present” that was staged at the Museum of Modern Art in NYC. At that performance you would sit opposite Marina and look into her eyes for as long as you wanted to. Some people would be moved to tears because people seldom take the time to honestly look at one another. I was surprised to find out that Tisse and Bank first met at a party at my house on New Year’s Day. Perhaps that was the birthplace of their Living room Theater concept.

It had gotten cold outside and I didn’t bring a sweatshirt or sweater, so after joking with Tisse and Banks, I went inside hoping to find a cozy and warm spot to sketch. I decided to sketch Maricardia Avila who was offering Astrology readings. Her business is called Odyssey of Light. The paintings in the room all seemed to have planetary themes. The calming shape of a circle could be seen everywhere. Lights danced on the ceiling further heightening the celestial display. Business was slow for the first hour, so I focused on the setting. Cheryl, the owner of the Crystal Healing Spa had her beautiful healing crystals for sale right behind me.

In the living room, Fresh Coffee from Vita Luna Craft Coffee Bar was being ground and brewed. In the back courtyard there was Live Music with a great track selection played throughout the night by DJ Anthony Bonilla. There are wonderful oriental flavored murals in the hallways of the bungalow. Illuminated by black lights the blossoms glow a vibrant purple and orange. I’ve always wanted to capture that mysterious light and there is just a hint in the doorway.

Maricardia’s daughter went to the Poetry Vending Machine to have a custom poem created. Her mom read it out loud and it was of course magical. Finally, a couple settled in for their Astrology Reading. The reading was surprisingly high tech. The laptop displayed a circle cutup into slices like a pie and in the center, red lines darted from slice to slice divining the future. I know nothing about the science of Astrology, but the advice Maricardia offered was sound and sincere. The couple have world travel in their future but certain pragmatic financial concerns need to be resolved. One of the patrons is writing a children’s book, and that might be the reason for the travel. One year from now all of the things discussed would find a resolution. The couple is in a period of deep discussion and everything will be put out in the open and shared. When the reading was over, so was my sketch.

The nurturing conversation sparked by the reading continued as she walked with the couple to the front entry. I saved my sketch and closed the computer. I felt bad that I didn’t have a chance to share the sketch since I had to dart off to a show were I would be meeting Terry. I was also curious to have my own reading done, but I was out of time. I showed the sketch to Maricardia’s daughter instead, thinking she could explain the sketch to her mom verbally.

Take A Look, And You Will See Into Your Imagination!

Posted on December 22, 2015February 7, 2022 by Thor

On Third Thursday, I wandered downtown to see what art exhibits were opening up. On the drive, Terry called me to let me know there was an outdoor concert in front of the Doctor Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. I decided that DPAC therefor was my sketch opportunity for the night. I stopped quickly into City Arts Factory to see how the Square exhibit looked hung. I submitted one square print and it was nestled in neatly among many of he talented local artists. My print hung just inches from the incredibly talented Rebecca Rose, also nearby was Boy Kong, Andrew Spear, Jennifer Payne, and Scott White. I made an impulse buy and purchased a print by Plinio Pinto. It is now hanging in my living room. The curator didn’t want me to take it off the wall right a way. He suggested I return at the end of the evening.

I started hoofing it down to DPAC to sketch the concert. On the way I ran into Joe Rosier who had grown out his white beard and had on a red Santa cap and a red shirt. His plan was to get some fish and chips at the Irish Pub before he started gallery hopping. We walked past two women smoking outside the pub. One shouted out, “Hey Santa, you should come inside, you would be the life of the party.” Joe turned to her and said, “First let check my list, I have to see if you’ve been naughty or nice.” Since I wanted to get to the concert to sketch, I left Santa as he finalized the negotiation. When I got to DPAC, the concert was over and chairs were being folded up and stacked away. Alright, change of plans there had been a trio performing at Avalon Island. That was my new sketch opportunity.

As soon as I entered The Gallery at Avalon Island (39 S Magnolia Ave, Orlando, FL) I bumped into Kathy Blackmore. I had worked with her at Disney Feature Animation and at Full Sail University. [ miss the camaraderie, laughter and insanity of those times. The Gallery was presenting Take A Look, And You Will See Into Your Imagination! an exhibition that features children’s book artists and illustrators. Kathy’s children’s book illustrations were part of the exhibit. After a quick walkabout, I started sketching. At two tables there was brown packing tape acting as a table cloth and canvas. Colorful markers in a cup acted as the center piece. I was delighted when Tori Kelly and her two children started sketching on the brown paper. Kids sketch with such confidence, They still enjoy the simple pleasure of putting lines on a page. Children’s book illustrator, Ethan Longjoined the kids and he showed them how to draw on of his characters. The kids were mesmerized soaking in his every pencil stroke with their hungry eyes.

A gentleman and two women sat across from me. He started drawing an intricately branched tree with a purple bird perched way up high. Earlier in the day, a repairman had told me the he let his Moluccan Cockatoo climb the branches in a large tree in his yard. His bird would climb to the highest branches and then come back down when called. Zorro, our Umbrella Cockatoo had never experienced that freedom. Hawks and falcons can sometimes be seen circling overhead. As protective owners we would never risk allowing Zorro to climb beyond our reach. He might climb to the top and never look down, requiring a call tot fire department to get the hook and ladder.

It turned out that the sketcher across from me was the husband of Zebo Ludvicek, one of the artists whose work was on exhibit. She asked to see my sketchbook when I had finished sketching the trio. She took her time flipping through the pages, she seemed to truly like what I do. Her husband reaffirmed her sincerity saving, ” She means it, she doesn’t usually like anything.” We chatted for quite. a while about art, both digital and traditional before I decide to get a beer with a day of the dead skill on it which was laced with Taquilla. It gave me an immediate headache.

Kathy was in a conversation with artists Anne Jewett, and Janeen Mason. Janeen said she would give me the name of a friend of hers who lives in Saint Augustine. That city has a law that make creating art in public spaces a crime punishable with a fine of $500 and or 60 days in jail. There is a demonstration in Saint Augustine on December 21st against this insanity and I plan to drive over that way to sketch the demonstration. Janeen’s friend is on the Saint Augustine historic preservation committee and she might help get me out of jail if I am caught sketching. Anne told me about a unique crowd funding source for artists called something like Patrion. People pay a small sum, like a dollar to see sketches for a project as it progresses. It is an ingenious idea and I plan to research it more. It could bring what seemed lit an impossible dream to life. I also have I say that Anne’s illustrations were magical with a old world classical glow. If you happen to be walking by Avalon check out her work in the front windows. It will amaze you.

The only other artists that I didn’t meet were, Fred Koehler, and Loreen Leedy.The Avalon exhibit was clearly my favorite discovery for the evening. The show will be on display at the gallery until January 16th. The children’s books are available at Bookmark It (3201 Corrine Dr #109, Orlando, FL).