16th hole at the Bay Hill Invitational

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On March 22nd Jesse Newton invited me to a Green Party at the 16th hole of the Bay Hill Invitational. My North Bay neighborhood is right near the Bay Hill Country Club, so we were issued neighborhood access passes for the car to guarantee we would not be turned away since parking for the golf event is a logistical nightmare. My sister Pat Boehme was in town to go to my gallery opening. Mark Baratelli of The Daily City was up for an adventure as well, so the four of us drove towards South Bay and thanks to the neighborhood car passes we were able to drive through check points and avoid traffic tie ups.

The South Bay home was absolutely gorgeous. It was a casual but very fashionable affair. A bar was set up behind the home next to the pool. Many of the people at the party were restaurant and bar owners and it was a crowd of beautiful people. Right behind the pool deck, a small grassy hill sloped down toward a small pond. Just beyond the pond was the 16th hole. I ordered a soda and turned my back to the golf because I needed to sketch the beautiful people. One woman had a white paddle with “Quiet” written on it. Whenever an important putt was about to happen she would raise the paddle and hush the revelers. Once the ball was in the hole the party conversations would fire back up with plenty of laughter and joking. The “Quiet” sign holder posed provocatively for me several times but I knew she wouldn’t be able to hold the poses long. I sketched her when she least expected it. Several times during the party the “Quiet” paddle was used like a fraternity butt spanker.

A short path to the left lead to a spot right next to a TV camera tower where the putting action could be viewed from up close. It was possible to get closer to the action than any of the spectators on the greens behind their ropes. I glanced over my shoulder periodically when I heard the crowd on the green murmur or applaud. But honestly, the gorgeous people on the hill captured most of my attention. Mark and I joked about how this must be what it feels like to be part of the “in” socialite crowd.

A women introduced herself and watched me work for a while. She analyzed my composition and decided that the woman in the black tights and shapely hips was the primary focus of the sketch, the rest was just supporting detail. I laughed. “Guilty as charged” I had to admit.With the sketch done, Terry, Pat and I retired to a shady spot in the pool area. I had to sit in the direct sunlight to get the sketch, so my neck got sunburned. I have no idea who won the golf tournament. The last balls plopped into the holes and the golf greens slowly cleared as the sun set. With so much to see and sketch the tournament scores were the least of my concerns.

United Way

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Six Volunteers gathered at a home known as the “Shepherd’s House” that would one day be used by a woman who had been homeless or the victim of domestic violence as she got back on her feet. The small split level home was in a suburban neighborhood off of Semoran Boulevard (436), just north of Colonial Drive. The Catholic Charities of Central Florida (CCFL) initiated the program, known as “Shepherd’s Promise“, just across the street is responsible for getting these homes in tip top shape. Work outside included spray washing the gutters and porch. Yard work was being done as well, including mulching and trimming trees. Inside, the kitchen was getting a new paint job and everything was being cleaned. The place was constantly buzzing with friendly activity. It was a riot of ladders, buckets, brooms and paint cans.

Any woman who moved in to the residence could have up to two children and she would have to take job interview training and computer courses. The children could then be dropped off at the church nursery once a job was found. The goal of course would be for the single mother to become self reliant. Two of my sisters have had to raise children alone and it was always challenging. Child support was non-existent. One of my sisters, when she was at the end of the rope financially, went to a church to ask for help. She was told to start gathering tin cans for the ¢5 refunds. I suspect this CCFL would have offered a better solution. 70%  of each paycheck earned by women in this housing program would have to be contributed to the charity, of that half would be put into savings to be returned to the women when she leaves, so that she could afford to find her own place.

The woman would have to verify that she was separated, since many had been in abusive relationships. If a man was found living in the home then the safety of the place would be compromised and they would be asked to leave. Every day social workers would help to ensure that the home was being well maintained. This respite was intended only as a temporary place where the family could recover and work towards a more permanent solution.

There was a playful atmosphere as the volunteers turned the empty shell into a future home. Hopefully the single mom and her family could feel that love as they worked their way back from the brink. On United Way’s “Day of Caring” there were dozens of these volunteer projects going on all around Orlando. Another project involved building a wheel chair access ramp to a home. When I got to that site, the ramp was already built and the volunteers posed for a quick group photo. Each of these volunteer projects was a big step towards changing someone’s life.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

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Saturday May 3, 2014

4pm to 10pm $50 Derby on Park. Winter Park Country Club, 761 Old England Ave, Winter Park, FL. We are offering each guest a private labeled bottle of Stollenbosh Merlot or Central Coast Chardonnay as a keepsake – provided by Quantum Leap Winery.

    Wine and; Beer and food is included

    Fashion/Runway Show Commences =~ 6:30PM for Women’s Best Dressed ~ Women’s Best Hat, & Men’s Best Dressed ($100 Gift cards/Gift baskets(provided by Elle Vie) to be awarded, $50 Gift Cards/Gift baskets to be awarded(provided by Elle Vie)

    Multiple TV’s provided by Best Buy will be displayed throughout event.

    Complimentary Cigar Roller – First 100 Cigars rolled given out.

    Pulled pork from a whole pig provided by 4River’s Smokehouse

    Grilled chicken provided by John & Shirley’s Catering

    Either Lobster grilled cheese sandwiches or Lobster Ravioli provided by Boston Lobster Feast Restaurants

    The event will be both indoors and outdoors & the Winter Park CC will have AC

    The Cash bar for premium alcohol & champagne will also allow for debit/credit cards

7pm to 10pm $5 Trend Studios Orlando Celebrates Their Two-Year Anniversary. Vanity, 110 South Orange Avenue, Orlando, FL 32801 (second level). Join Trend For a Fun Night of Fashion, Music and Trendy Style To Commemorate Two Years as Downtown Orlando’s Hottest Salon. Attention trendsetters: Get ready to join Downtown Orlando’s most popular, cutting-edge salon, spa and beauty studio for a fun and stylish night to commemorate their exciting two-year anniversary.  Enjoy delicious cocktails and food samplings by Mingos Restaurant, non-stop DJ entertainment, fabulous fashion, salon giveaways and of course amazing avant-garde styles by Trend Studios.  Plus, be among the lucky attendees chosen to win a first-ever “Trendy Award.”  A $5 suggested donation at the door is recommended to benefit the Femmes De Coeur non-profit organization.

7:30pm to 9:30pm Free. The Geek Easy with Amy Watkins and Open Mic. The Geek Easy 114 S. Semoran Blvd Winter Park Fl. Featuring Amy Watkins and Superhero Poetry Open Mic.  Open to all: Musicians-Lyricists-Artists-and Poets of all kinds Bring out the cape and have some fun. http://poetry.meetup.com/362/

Sunday May 4, 2014

1pm to 3pm. Free. Yoga. Lake Eola East side of the park.

6pm to 8pm Free. SHUT YOUR FACE! Poetry Slam by Curtis Meyer! La Casa De La Paellas 10414 E Colonial Dr Orlando FL. The only current ongoing slam in Orlando officially certified by Poetry Slam Incorporated, IE. Send a team to Nats as well as poets to The Individual World Poetry Slam & Women of The World Poetry Slam! $50 to the winner! If you’ve never seen or been in a slam before, it’s definitely worth checking out!

9pm to 11pm. Solo Acoustic Spoken Word. Natura Coffee & Tea, 12078 Collegiate Way, Orlando, FL.

Love Out Loud

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I went to a tech rehearsal for “Love Out Loud” a DiDonna Productions new multi media dance performance choreographed by McClaine Timmerman. It  takes an intimate look into the world of dating, relationships, and love today. The multi-talented cast explores the struggles, opinions, feelings, hopes, fears, and doubts that we all experience at one point or another. McClaine uses an amalgam of modern dance, projection, and live music to express the topics under investigation.

Showing their commitment to original music, Timmerman and DiDonna utilize all original music throughout “Love Out Loud” including works by Scott Hall, Nigel John, a collaboration between Keifer Curtis, Aurelio Guimaraes and Jeremy Studinksi, and features original live music by Paige Keiner. Paige was at the rehearsal. She explored social media on her phone before the rehearsal started and then performed a solo acoustic piece on her guitar as the cast performed. I had never seen her perform before and I was impressed by her silky confident voice. One of her songs, “What Good is a Throne When You’re All Alone?“, featured an incredible dance performance with McClaine and a male dancer. McClaine was in a black night gown and the male dancer in PJ’s. They danced intimately before bed but their differences and inner turmoil erupted as they performed. This wasn’t a peaceful loving couple but a couple who never seemed to connect. Their bodies rippled in angst as they resigned themselves to the inevitability of being at war yet sharing the same bed. As the lights slowly faded, they lay down together and then their touching arms rose up and their fingers laced together.

McClaine accomplishes something I’ve never seen before. The show is part documentary, part drama and part modern dance. Interviews are projected during the performance that have people sharing their raw honest feelings about what it is like to love in a digital age.  Have the words “I love you” lost their meaning? Social media brings people together in a hive mentality and yet separates us behind computer and cell phone screens. Interpersonal, one on one conversation, is becoming a lost art form.  Is it possible to find a long term relationship while voyeristically following everyone else’s relationships? Is there such a thing as a soul mate?

One dance piece had a male and female dancer circling each other as they fingered their cell phones firing off texts. The flirtatious texts were projected on the back wall of the stage. Through the whole dance they only occasionally glanced at each other. It is easy to fall in love with an illusion through text. The next couple on stage fired off an accelerated angry barrage of bitter texts at each other. They bumped into each other like football players forcefully and immaturely jockeying for dominance.

A dance number about “selfies” had all the dancers lined against the wall as they shot iPhone photos of themselves alone and in small groups. The photos were projected above them in accelerating frequency. They all arched their backs raising the phone high above them in a graceful chorus line. They pouted and puckered their lips and smiled and over acted for each shot. Any individuality became lost in the sea of self absorption. McClaine brings humor and fun to each piece while exploring raw emotions. I found myself laughing often with delight. The show offers dance with a deep personal and insightful twist.

The cast includes choreographer McClaine Timmerman, along with her troupe including Andres Avila, Alina Gavrilov, Aurelio Guimaraes, Felipe Vasques, and Nagi Wakisaka. Dancer Dion Leonhard was at the rehearsal to offer notes to McClaine. As McClaine warmed up, stretching a leg above her head, Dion said, “I’d like to have a relationship with your extension McClaine.” “Whatever, you’ve got your own extension.” McClaine fired back. I could feel the love and respect these talented performers had for each other.

Mark your calendar! “Love Out Loud” will be presented for four performances only, at the Santos Dantin Theater in the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (Loch Haven Park, Corner of 1792 and Princeton Street Orlando FL.) Performances are 8pm on Thursday May 1st, Friday May 2nd, and Saturday May 3rd, with a 2pm matinee on Sunday May 4th. Tickets are $15.00 general admission, and $10.00 student admission, and are available at the door cash only, or by reservation (will call cash only at the door) by calling 407-721-3617.

Equality Connection

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Terry and I went to the Hammered Lamb for the “Equality Connection“. Commissioner Patty Sheehan had just put her painting up at the bar in Ivanhoe Village that afternoon. She paints “Equality Kittys” and she can barely keep up with the demand. I heard that every painting sold from her last show. The evening was a fundraiser for Equality Florida which is the largest civil rights organization
dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay,
bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. This organization has grown exponentially in the last few years but there is plenty of hard work still left to go before people recognize that all people are created equal.

Many of the board member of the Orlando Fringe were there to show their support. Terry is on the Fringe board now and has loved the amazing people she has met. Fringe is now going strong down at Lock Haven park and I will be there sketching as often as possible. You never know what you will discover on the green lawn of fabulousness. Devon ordered some wings which surprised me since this venue used to be all vegan. She offered me a wing and I tried it but they were to hot of my taste. Of course food this hot means you need to drink more beers which could be a perk.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

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Tennessee Williams‘ Pulitzer prize-winning “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” opened Friday, March 21, at Orlando’s Mad Cow Theatre 54 W. Church St., Orlando FL.

I went to a dress rehearsal on March 18th. In the classic story, secrets push a family to the brink during a memorable evening. Wealthy Southerner Big Daddy is celebrating his 65th birthday among his passionate and greedy family. Son Brick (David Jachin Kelley) is a hunky former football hero married to sexually frustrated Maggie (Summer Dawn Wallace). Meanwhile, son Gooper, a lawyer, had his eye on the family fortune. Also featured are Ron Schneider, Karel K. Wright, Amanda Leakey, Stephen E. Middleton, Tommy Keesling and Michael G. Knight. Bobbie Bell directed.

Brick got drunk and tried to relive his former football glory days at the high school stadium where he managed to break his leg. His wife Maggie was all a flutter talking about family and those “no neck brats” of the sister in law. Summer Dawn Wallace was exceptional in the role as Maggie. She gave the character some teeth like a wild animal cornered in a conflict. Her affections toward Brick were always rebuffed. He spent the show sipping drinks until he felt “that click” which is the moment when he finally had enough.

The show absolutely had me mesmerized.  Big Daddy had health troubles and the family felt the need to protect him from the truth. Family buzzed around him trying to ingratiate their way into the family fortune. Brick was the favored son but Big Daddy could see his addiction to the bottle. There has been much talk lately about the Mad Cow Theater having financial troubles. However this show proves that the theater is committed to staging exceptional productions.

Statue of Liberty

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At a artist workshop at Urban ReThink, someone asked why there is tiny 8 foot tall, Statue of Liberty, at the intersection of North Orange and Magnolia Avenues on the shore of Lake Ivanhoe. I’ve passed this oddity many times and never given it a thought. It isn’t a very creative choice for a public sculpture. It makes it seem like Orlando idolizes gift shop trinkets. This town seems to want to be something for everybody. Like Epcot, we don’t feel the need to travel the world to see the rel thing. The proportions on the tiny statue are a bit off. The extra large torch Lady Liberty is holding makes her seem a bit child like. The money invested in the rock work and gadening alone must have cost a fortune. The Kiwanis Club of Orlando paid for the base.

The statue was donated to the city in 1953 by the Central Florida Council of the Boy Scouts of America. It was one of about 200 such replicas installed across the
nation in the 1950s through a Boy Scout program called “Strengthening
the Arm of Liberty,”  The program was part of the Scouts’
40th anniversary celebrations it replaced a big orange concrete ball supported by two stilt-like pillars, built by the Works Progress Administration sometime between 1934 and 1936 that quickly became a victim of graffiti. It must have been a reminder of Orlando’s Citrus industry. The ball, by the way, was moved to a fruit stand in Maitland and later destroyed. A new ten foot high ball shaped sculpture was recently installed at the Orlando County Regional History Center.

.The statue was refurbished in the mid-1980s. She seems to have survived any touch of graffiti and the shrubbery is neatly clipped. Robert G. Neel, president of Woodlawn Memorial Park and Funeral Home, led efforts to restore the statue, which he first noticed while stopped at a traffic light.

This is a busy intersection and I got to stare at each new driver that had to stop at the stop light. Each driver looked at me like I was a mad man. During the hour or so that I was sketching, one pedestrian did walk by on her way to the bus stop. She took quite an interest in what I was doing, and she even had advice on where I could find a better camping stool. A ramp behind the stature leads up to Interstate 4 and the cars are always lined up, rushing  to get on Orlando’s primary artery. 

Central Florida Fair

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On March 7th, I went to the Central Florida Fair (4603 West Colonial Drive Orlando FL). It is easy to see when the fair is in town because the Ferris Wheel glitters brightly on the horizon when you drive down Colonial at night. It was a rare cold day in Central Florida. I parked in a muddy lot beside many animal trailers. I figured there would be little happening during the day, but there was someone at the ticket window. I others walk by so, I took my best shot to just stroll in. The teen at the window asked to see my wrist band. Darn, they charge money to go in the daytime. I told him that I was the press and he decided to let me go.

None of the rides were moving and there were no crowds at the game booths. The first thing I noticed were some cows being walked around a coral. I had stumbled across a livestock showing and decided that was my best sketch opportunity. Teens walked their prize cows around the with the hope of getting a blue ribbon. The judge and teens had a bull hooks that were used to jab the loose flesh under each cow’s throat. It made me uncomfortable to see the cows jabbed repeatedly. I’m not sure why it was done. They would bellow and moo waiting for the judging to end.

A woman who organizes events for the Central Florida Fairgrounds noticed me sketching and stopped to talk for a while. She explained that the Fair has entered the Digital age by having competitions for children where kids write computer code instead of showing their livestock. Microsoft has joined in as a sponsor to encourage kids to write code from a very early age. Another creative competition was sponsored by Legos. Kids were given a small mountain of Legos and they competed to see who was the most creative with what they had to work with. Hopefully I can sketch that competition next year.

Beefy King

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When working at Full Sail from 5pm to 1am, I needed to find daytime landmarks to sketch rather than sketching events which invariable happen in the evening. For some reason, I consider the Beefy King (424 N Bumby Ave, Orlando, FL) to be an Orlando landmark. They have been serving a variety of mouthwatering Roast Beef, Ham, Turkey, Pastrami,
Corned Beef, Bar BQ Beef and Bar BQ Pork sandwichesall served hot, fresh and made
to order since 1968.

I found it odd that only the drive through line was available while I was sketching. Ironically, I have never tasted the Beefy King sandwiches, I just like the sign.

Frank Lloyd Wright

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On March 6th, Terry and I drove to Lakeland Florida to meet Seattle sketcher Carleen Zimmerman and her husband Neil. They were vacationing in Florida and the plan was to meet for lunch and then go to Florida Southern College to sketch. Lunch was delicious. I had a lasagna roll that was quite unique. Unfortunately it had rained on the entire drive to Lakeland.

I got to flip through Carleen’s Florida sketchbook which was almost completely filled.  She had read my book on the flight to Florida and was applying principles I had written about. I was quite pleased to see a note on one sketch that said, “Thor suggests building the pose from the feet up.” Most of the sketches were of Florida water foul. Carleen and Neil are avid birders. Because of that they are friends with Terry’s sister Rachel in Seattle.

It was still sprinkling when we were done with lunch. Carleen and Neil called it a day and went back to their hotel. Terry and I pushed on to see the Frank Lloyd Wright architecture at Florida Southern College a few miles away. Terry had been on a guided tour there once with her friend Elaine. She didn’t like the tour however since the guide just talked for two hours in the gift shop.

The campus is perfect to explore on a rainy day. Florida Southern
College (FSC) has the largest concentration
of Wright designed structures anywhere in the world with 10 buildings and two additional
structures on campus, and is in the National Register of Historic Places.Construction on the campus began in 1938. Students helped with some of the construction. Wright designed an esplanade that cover all the pathways around the campus. What is unique about the overhangs is that they are only supported on one side leaving a completely unobstructed view on the open side.  If a walkway stepped down, so would the overhang. Wright must have been a short man. I began to feel claustrophobic, always feeling I might bump my head. The structures are also showing signs of wear and stress. Large cracks hint that the supports are having trouble bearing the load. Decorative custom brickwork had glass embedded into it, but students can’t resist digging out the glass like a gem from it’s matrix. Restoration work is needed everywhere.

A group of photographers explored the campus and I caught one in my sketch. An emergency phone looked like it had been bashed by a linebacker. It had one large red “Help” button for easy operation. I was shocked at how few students there were. There are 1800 undergraduate students but only one or two were seen by me on the campus walkways.