Terry and I attended the concert that the Philharmonic had been rehearsing for. The concert was entitled “Mozart and Mendelssohn”. Joyce Yang was the featured performer and she played piano for the Mozart Piano Concerto number 24. For the first half of the concert we sat up in the balcony and when I got my sketchbook out I suddenly realized that I had forgotten to bring my eye glasses. The glasses allow me to see objects at a distance clearly. I let out a huge guttural scream and everyone in the audience turned to look. No that didn’t happen, I just resigned myself to my blindness. Looking at the stage I could barely make out dark and light blurry shapes. When the house lights dimmed I also could not see the sketchbook. I put the book away and closed my eyes and enjoyed the music instead.
When intermission came, Terry and I moved down to the front row. We had the front row entirely to ourselves. For whatever reason people do not sit that close. From this vantage point I could see all the performers and the stage lighting allowed me to see what I was drawing.
The Orlando Philharmonic
The Philharmonic offered the Board of Directors a chance to experience the music up close and personal. After a small sit down dinner in the atrium of the theater, Christopher Wilkins, the conductor, explained that in these hard economic times the Orchestra has had to cut back on the number of performances but the organization still stands on solid ground. He said the Orchestra is starting to reach out and involve the community in new and creative ways.
The Orchestra had to rehearse for the final performance of the season. The members of the Board were offered a chance to sit next to their favorite instrument. A Magic game was also going on that night and Christopher said “The Magic never offers it’s fans the chance to go right down to the court and experience the game next to the players.”
Since my wife plays French Horn, I decided to sketch the brass players. I was sitting right in front of the Timpani drums and a Cello player suggested I get some ear plugs from stage right, which I did. The orchestra rehearsed Dances of Galanta by Kodaly. There were many stops and starts but I must say it was exhilarating! Sitting among the players surrounds you with sound in a way even the best stereo can not duplicate. The Timpani was indeed very loud but I didn’t want to dull the experience by using the ear plugs. I have known many of the players for years so sketching them came second hand. I hope Christopher Wilkins will consider letting me sketch during rehearsals more often because this is a great subject to observe and draw.
Seven Seas Aquarium
Chad a longtime reader of this blog, suggested I sketch at the fish store he works in called Seven Seas. The store had just recently moved into this smaller space since the fish and corals sold could no longer cover the rent in the the much larger space next door in the same store complex. I arrived in the mid afternoon and for the longest time I simply drew the room since there were no costumers to sketch.
After well over an hour of sketching nothing but the room, a couple finally walked in. They were expecting a child and from my experience with fellow reefers, once the baby hits the scene suddenly the fish tank gets neglected. This might be one of there last trips to the fish store. Chad can be seen feeding the fish. When he finished he quickly helped the couple pick what they needed. Chad had some amazing stories to tell about truly crazy costumers like a woman from a local institution who could not make eye contact or socialize in any way, she dropped her money on the floor and ran out the door with a fish in a bag, or the guy who arrived at the store with pants with holes cut in them so that had his butt cheeks were hanging out. Sounds like running a fish store offers a glimpse at a wide variety of Orlando’s unique individuals.
The Ring
Months ago I lost my wedding ring. I noticed it was missing while I was making a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Earlier that day, I had been fiddling with the ring, pushing it up past the knuckle and spinning it while I waited for a computer anti virus program to finish its work. The ring had to be between the computer room and the kitchen and I searched for it relentlessly.
The day I lost the ring the financial markets began to collapse. I am certain that these two events at linked. If I could find the ring then the markets might stabilize. At various festivals I had tried on mood rings and artsy wood and silver rings but none fit. Also Terry didn’t approve of my choices.
I decided for Terry’s birthday to finally go to P.J. Abramson, Inc. a good jewelry store in Winter Park and get a traditional gold band. The first ring the sales lady showed me was 24 carrot gold and it cost $2000. I almost had a heart attack, thank god it didn’t fit. The second ring was a bit more reasonable and it slipped right on, a perfect fit. After the purchase I explained that I would like to sketch the store. The manager was concerned that I might sketch the security system but reluctantly let me proceed. Notice no video cameras or even wires were drawn in the making of this picture.
Visual Fringe Artist Dropoff
The Fringe Festival is a 12 day festival that is founded on the concept of offering 100% unjuried, 100% uncensored, 100% accessible theater. music, dance, art and madness of all types and ages where 100% of the box office ticket sales go directly back to the artists within the Fringe. The Orlando Fringe is the longest running US Fringe festival.
At the last minute I found out about Visual Fringe which is a showcase for local artists during the Fringe Festival. On hand to accept artist entries were, Visual Fringe Producer Anna McCambridge and her mom as well as Director of Development Kristina Goetz. After I filled out the paperwork and finalized my submission, I sat back and started my first Fringe sketch. These three dedicated souls sat at this table from 12 noon till 6pm accepting art.
While I was sketching one artist came in and entered paintings for his girlfriend. He explained his trials and tribulations of the morning and Anna agreed to make a phone call to his girlfriend explaining the sacrifices he had made and that on behalf of the Fringe he deserved extra special treatment that night such as a back rub or nice dinner. To her credit, Anna actually made that call and she had never met the girlfriend or artist before. Now that is someone who is going the extra mile for the arts.
Wine Quest
Last night Terry managed to get a hold of some $75 tickets to Wine Quest. Wine Quest is a fund raising event for the disability community. The event was held at the JW Marriott Orlando Grande Lakes. The room was cavernous and reminded me for some reason of a Las Vegas casino. Scattered about the room were 30 or so tables with over 200 different brands of wine. Terry and I started by just going to the food stations and sampling the variety of foods. I decided I wasn’t going to have a sip of wine until I got a sketch done.
Terry started sampling the wines as I watched. The people manning the tables were very knowledgeable. For instance Terry wanted a strong flavored red wine to go with some blue cheese and the server offered the perfect wine. I started to get antsy since I knew the event would end at 9 and I knew it would take about an hour to finish a sketch. When I told Terry I needed to sketch she told me she would go check out the silent auction and that she would mingle while I sketched. I finished right as the event was ending. I got the usual comments from tipsy socialites and the cook told me how to spell his name. I had to walk around the huge room several times to find Terry and when I did, she said she was ready to go. I could tell she wasn’t in a great mood. Although she told me to sketch, she really wanted me to be social. This urge to draw keeps causing friction. I never did taste any wine.
Central Florida Fair
A Fringe Preview was held at the Central Florida Fair. I gave myself plenty of time to wander the midway and soak in the sights, sounds and smells of the fair. At the entry ticket booth the computer had died so I spent some time at the entrance watching the pigs being prepared for a showing. The thick barnyard smell was overwhelming for a city slicker like myself. When the computer was back up, I got my ticket and started to wander. I stopped under the only shady tree in sight and sketched the Ferris Wheel. I was off the main drag near a tent where rosters where making a ruckus. It is rather relaxing working to the chorus of clucking and crowing.
Wayburn Sassy and the Fringe Preview
At the last minute I got a tip from reader, Dewey Chaffee that there was going to be a Fringe preview at the Central Florida Fair. As I arrived there was Wayburn Sassy shouting at the passers by trying to get them to come in to see the show. He used every carnies trick in the book with insults and curses thrown in for good measure. What I love about Wayburn is that he is not afraid to speak his mind. Whatever thought pops into his head is immediately shouted out. Wayburn is a hoot and I hope to catch him again at the Fringe Festival.
The Fringe performances were wonderful. Two acts particularly stood out for me. They were Varie Tease and Voci Dance. Varie Tease had amazing Moulin Rouge like costumes and tense exuberant dance moves. Voci dance was a modern dance troup and the performances were sublime. There is something very rewarding about watching cutting edge performances at a culture deprived event such as the Central Florida Fair. I left the Fringe preview feeling elated and confident that the arts are indeed alive in Central Florida.
Dog Fest 2009
Downtown near the History Center several bars and stores got together to host Dog Fest. The festival allowed dog owners to have a beer with their best friend. There was a $10 donation, and proceeds went to benefit The Cian Griffen Cystic Fibrosis Fund. At the event there were dog contests, vendors live music, food and drink and a raffle & silent auction. I got to the event late in the day and as I was sketching vendors started to get ready to leave. There must have been a dogie costume contest because I saw many dogs on the streets of downtown that day dresses in tee shirts and or Tu Tus.
A few people looked over my shoulder that day but one stands out. His name is Phil and he is homeless. He was completely taken with the sketch. He told me “Man I have to get off these streets there is so much talent out there. If I had a video camera, I would be shooting amazing footage everyday. You have no idea what I see on these streets.” He suggested I sketch at a spot where Interstate 4 passes over Parrimore Street. Apparently a large group of people call that spot home for the night. Someday I hope to bump into Phil again, I suspect he rests in the History Center Park. Who knows someday I might take him up on that suggestion.
We Love You Brooke
Merritt Andrews a friend from my Disney Feature Animation days has started a campaign to help lift the spirit of a beautiful 4 year old girl named Brooke. She is the daughter of Merritt’s friends Amy and Rob from her hometown of Salisbury, MD. On January 4th Brooke was diagnosed with Stage 4 Neuroblastoma, a type of cancer that occurs in infants and young children. The town has rallied around this young girl and raised thousands of dollars with fundraisers and events to help with the medical bills that keep rising as Brooke goes through countless treatments in Philadelphia. There has been much media coverage of her in Salisbury, she was even given a key to the city. From video I have seen she is a spunky little girl who is bravely facing the future. Her mother in an act of solidarity shaved her own head to match her daughters. Today Brooke is going into surgery to have an adrenal gland and tumor removed.
Merritt is getting photos of all the characters holding a sign that says “We Love You Brooke“. I went with Merritt on a scorching hot Sunday and sketched her as she waited in endless lines to get the photos for Brooke. Merritt is wearing the blue hat in the sketch. One photographer, named Ed, recognized Merritt and asked her how Brooke was doing. This photographer had taken the photo of Mickey Mouse holding the sign and said he is praying for Brooke every day. Should you want to learn more about Brooke, or if you want to help in some way, visit her Caring Bridge home page. In an e-mail Amy wrote “The pictures always make Brooke so happy!”