Drip Art Nights are full surprises.

Posted on by Thor

Drip Local Art Night features visual artists, Performance artists, burlesque troupes, body painters, dancers, belly dancers, and art installations. I love sketching this monthly event because I always find something new and exciting to draw. Drip is Orlando’s grunge version of the Moulan Rouge. I arrived as artists were setting up their booths and focused on the bar. One Drippy was getting her T-shirt cutting station set up. She cuts up the whip Drip T-shirts and bees the fabric creating a unique pattern of flesh and brilliant day glow blue.

A drip dancer Roxanne Faye LeBlanc had just died her hair a deep red in purple. She dances the part of the lusty Red in the Drip show. I sketched he as she filled out paperwork a the bar and again when she did something a the left end of the bar. I do this quite often, populating a sketch with one person’s activities. I do believe the guys seated at the bar were on person at different times as well. Soon enough however, the place was so packed that you couldn’t even s the bar. The main Drip Show is no longer performed on Art Night, which means The re is more room for artists to set up their wares.

Set-up for artists started at 6:30 and the doors opened at 8 PM. My favorite performance was by BalaChandra Belly Dance. I run into these dancers a love town. I have to learn to sketch faster to catch their fast moving hips and fluid motions. Since I function at a much slower pace when I sketch, I sometimes miss some acts as I rush to complete a sketch that was started.

Mark Your Calendar! The next Drip Local Art Night is Thursday, March 24 with the doors opening at 8pm. If yo u haven’t been to Drip then what are yo u waiting for. Get out and experience some local art.
8747 International Dr Suite 102 (Behind Denny’s and Senor Frogs) Orlando Florida. Art nights are every other month. 

Base Orlando keeps pushing the boundries of themed Body Painting.

Posted on by Thor

I arrived at BASE Orlando “British Invasion” Body Painting Show at the Majestic Event Center, (801 North John Young Parkway, Orlando, FL) a bit early so I could watch the talented body painters transforming models into living works of art. I immediately decided to focus on Nix Herrera who was painting a group of model to camouflage them against a British flag. A camera was set up on a tripod and from the camera’ vantage point the models blended in perfectly with the flag. The artists had to consult the came often to be sure they were on track.

Some of Orlando’s top entertainers also be performed on stage throughout the evening. Entertainment included BalaChandra Belly Dance,
Corsets and Cuties, and
Rock Hard Revue
Team Rush.Vendors were also set up around the venue so there was plenty of art and fashion. For me, the event is always an exciting and challenging sketch opportunity, as I document the models who are transformed as I sketch.

BASE brings together the talents of renowned Face and Body
Painter Mandi Ilene who has been painting for over a
decade, and Photographer Robert Johnston. From humble
beginnings of face painting at princess parties, Mandi was inspired to
see the entire body as a canvas and potential work of art. Since then,
she has won multiple face and body painting awards, painted across the
state, on cruise ships and in the Bahamas and currently does face
painting in Orlando. Mandi and her dynamic team now bring their work
together at BASE Orlando for an imaginative experience unlike anything
else.

After her community of body painters spent years
gathering in bars or homes to practice and exhibit their art, Mandi
founded BASE in an effort to reach out to a wider audience and produce a
complete art show. After many wildly successful events, Mandi and her
team continue to offer visitors a remarkable experience through their
one-of-a-kind collection of local artists and performers.

Mark your calendars! On January 14th, Base Orlando will present the Steampunk Body Paint Art Show at the Majestic Event Center. Doors open at 8pm. Tickets are $11.54 to $27.37. I’m excited about the Steampunk Show. I can already imagine the women being transformed into exotic mechanized creatures. Since the event features artwork on nude models, all guests should be over 18.

DRIP Local Art Nights are a hidden gem on International Dive.

Posted on by Thor

Drip Local Art Nights are always fun. On this evening I sketched Allure A. Abelo as she danced in the Drip paint can shower. Allure isn’t a Drip Dancer but she was fine with dancing in the green paint. I always admire anyone who shares their art with abandon. Anytime I sketch at drip, I find myself using colors with pure intensity and brightness.

Dancers from BalaChandra Belly Dance also performed, using the main bar area as their stage. I admire the way they catch the audiences attention, not just with the amazing fluid hip movements, but with sly knowing smiles.

If there is a cutting edge performer in Orlando you will likely find them at Drip Art Nights. They usually occur on the 4th Thursday of every month. Since there are so many visual artists and performers, my sketching opportunities are limitless. The increasing popularity of the event is however, making it hard for me to find a spot to sketch without seeing a wall of peoples backs and butts. To date I’ve always found an angle that works.

My drink of choice for the evening was angry orchards and there was a fabulous $5 taco bar with all the fixings.

I bumped into Allure at my exhibition opening at Winter Park’s City Hall. She is active in the urban dance scene and plans to sponsor future events. B-Boy dance competitions are incredible to sketch so I’m hoping she plans to bring more of that energy to Orlando.

Drip Art Night adds a splash of color to Orlando’s art scene.

Posted on by Thor

On February 26th, I went to the Drip Local Art Night to sketch. Drip is located at 8747 International Dr. Ste 102, Orlando, Fl right behind Denny’s and Senor Frogs. Brit Lytle was body Painting an attractive model whose breast became the eyes of an owl. Artist Janae Corrado was exhibiting her mysterious and dark fanciful paintings. She seems to exhibit her art at every event that I sketch. She sets up early and breaks down her exhibit with an enviable ease. At this event she worked on one of her paintings when she wasn’t talking to prospective clients. Kristen Lockhart who organized the event set up a Drip community art project which allowed anyone to channel their inner Jackson Pollack by pouring paint onto a large panel.

BalaChandra Belly Dance performed several acts during the evening, along with Corsets and Cuties, a Burlesque Cabaret. The burlesque was staged near the bar with sly smiles becoming the drinkers to loosen up and have more fun. Staging a strip tease in the round must present intimidating challenges since it becomes hard to discreetly cover private parts that are only meant to be unveiled for the final climax. Music was supplied by Frank Asaurus Fresh who was the DJ from 8:00-10:00. Artist could keep 90% of all art sales while DRIP got 10%. This is a great way to meet some of Orlando’s best visual artist while experiencing lively and fun dance and burlesque. Many artists who said they wanted to participate ended up being no-shows. I can’t believe any artist would pass on this fun way to showcase their work. One of my DRIP sketchbooks was sold which justified the time spent designing that print on demand book.