Boris and Marla E Talk Art Shit

Posted on by Thor

Boris Douglas Garbe and Marla E Artist held an informal talk at The Nook on Robinson, (2432 E Robinson St, Orlando, FL 32803). Boris’s dog Lump slept on the chair behind the hosts. Boris runs the Art Gallery at Mills Park (1650 Mills Ave N, Orlando, FL 32803). He used to gather artists to paint live at the Timucua White House as bands played as well, but he stepped down from that position. Marla E is a staple of the Orlando arts scene creating large textural paintings. She explained that she used to be a faux finish and mural artist and she discovered that she loved painting on very textured surfaces.

Boris is learning as he goes running the gallery. He feels that galleries cater to the same audience over and over. He realized that young people don’t go to galleries and he is trying to reverse that trend. Of course he discovered that when he does get a younger crowd, they don’t spend money. He is passionate about artists that use their art as a platform for change. He also has decided he will exhibit men and women equally. He has gotten some flack for this from women artists who want to just be considered artists, not as a underprivileged demographic that needs charity.

Boris and Marla have teamed up to produce a series of radio broadcasts about the Arts scene in Orlando. They have also just produced their first podcast called “Kiss my Art” which is frankly a fantastic title. Orlando has grown up enough to develop a bit of an edge.

What was most heart warming about their talk was when they talked about their lives. Marla was married to the love of her life, but he died young, leaving her heart broken. She turned to her art and it lifted her from the brink. She started inviting people to visit her studio and over time her art blossomed. Boris’s mom was in the audience which added a personal touch to his life revelations.

There were several trivia questions where people in the bar could win free art prints. Anyone who had posed nude for an artist was invited to collect the prize. The room was silent. I have painted myself nude but I thought that would be bending the rules. Finally a woman went up and described posing nude on a beautiful beach for a friends photo.

Overall this was a fun chance to learn a little more about what makes the Orlando Art scene tick. The Nook has some lovely small painting hanging on the walls right now. None of the paintings are framed square. The images fit in trapezoids and diamond shapes.

New Paintings by Victor Bokas and Donne Bitner.

Posted on by Thor

On Third Thursday, I went to Art Gallery at Mills Park (1650 North Mills Avenue, Orlando Florida).  This art gallery is located on the ground floor of a brand new apartment complex right near Orlando’s theaters. Since I am hunting for an apartment, I looked at the plan with a discerning eye. I suspect a place this gorgeous is out of my price range. I had seen artist Victor Bokas just a few nights before at the Maitland “Art Under the Stars” event. I got a chance to meet him in his tent, filled with his vibrant abstracts, as the event wound down for the night. Tonight he had a pink beard, probably left over from the Orlando Pride Parade the week before. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to pride, but I heard over 100,000 people showed up.

Victor worked as a graphic designer at Tupperware for about 19 years. His early paintings done while he was still at Tupperware are y bit more graphic and controlled. Once he left his colors became more vibrant and he experimented more with his compositions. Victor was at the entrance to the gallery when I arrived. He stood in from of a flaming fireplace and was talking with friends. He gave me a warm hug and then I explored the gallery.

Most of the artwork is hung down a long hall that faces the glass facade, allowing pedestrians outside to get a good look at the art. Snap Downtown has a similar layout in the lobby of a new, modern  apartment complex. Victor and Donne Bitner‘s paintings look good side by side. They share a similar palette of war and cool colors Donne’s colors tend to also incorporate many shades of grey. Donne’s work is often inspired by landscapes that become vehicles to push toward abstraction. As she stated, “My intent is to follow the mark to layer and strip away and find the hidden texture and meaning of a piece.” Some of Victor’s painting are inspired by Florida pools surrounded by rich vibrant foliage. Water and leaves have a fascinating play of vibrant abstract shapes.

Lael Dewahl, one of the gallery owners asked me if I needed any help. I was lost in the process of searching for a nondescript spot Where I could get my sketch done. A tall supermodel in a red dress, Alexandra Philco, showed a couple one of the paintings, offering a personal tour. Boris Garbe, another partner in the gallery, in his excitement, would stand on the furniture to get closer to the art. He gestured like a circus ring master as he explained the artists intentions.This show will remain up for three months, so stop out this holiday season.