Art in the Chambers & Sculpture Lighting Party.

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Terry Olson invited guests for light refreshments to celebrate the Judy Albertson–Louis Peterson Galleries Art in the Chambers opening, part of Art Legends of Orange County.  Art Legends is remembrance of distinguished artists and patrons of the arts who made
their mark between 1932 and 1982, critical years in local development of
the visual arts. The chambers show features Judy Albertson and Louise Peterson all year, with others like
Grady Kimsey and Steve Lotz being featured for shorter exhibitions. Later that evening there was a lighting ceremony on the lawn for the Temporary Sculpture Exhibition at 201 N Rosalind Ave, Orlando, FL.

I arrived as the sun was setting and wanted to catch the orange glow on the Christian condominium or retirement home. I found it ironic that the was a red light on top of the cross. Perhaps they were worried it might get hit by a low flying aircraft. In the foreground was a wooden sculpture by Julia Ousley titled Skyline I I. As it grew darker, the lights came on to illuminate the sculptures. One artist, walking y the Chambers Opening joked with me saying ” You could get arrested for doing that.” I laughed, but as a matter of fact he was right. I could be mistake for a panhandle outside my designated blue box. It was a cold night for Orlando, so I had on my wood cap and put up my hood to conserve heat. the tablet processor helped keep my fingers a bit warm.

I never did get inside, since capturing the light in the cold was challenging enough. Gradually people wandered outside to take pictures. Then everything went black for the official lighting ceremony. Banks Helfrich and his wife stopped to say hello. They asked if I as going to SAK Comedy Lab after m sketch, and ironically, I was. I’ve been bumping into them all over town. My plan was to meet Terry for a night out, but she had to work late. The huge blue wind chimes remained silent.

Wonderland – The Gift of Creativity.

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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.

FAVO Motel Art Studios First Friday Art Show and Exhibition

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Mark your calendars. On the first Friday of each month, Faith Arts Village Orlando
(FAVO) 221 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, Florida, hosts its First Friday Art Show. There are 36 open studios, childrens
activities, live music, food trucks, and more. The weather is
cooling and the holidays are coming. Stock up on locally created gifts
for loved ones, family and friends.The next FAVO is Friday November 6th starting at 5:30pm. 

I love making a monthly pilgrimage to this event to see artists at work and to quickly check out the latest local art. There is a wide variety of art showcased and I almost always discover something new. The motel room studios are all rather small so I seldom sketch inside, but all the large glass windows appeal to the voyeur in me. I m always shocked at how early the Christmas decorations go up at retail stores, but at Faro you will find local art which can be a very thoughtful seasons gift. 

While artists are being evicted from studio spaces in Winter Park an Ivanhoe Village, FAVO is a rare case of renovating an old motel for artists. Not many of the rooms are full time studios yet, but every month the place lights up with activity. At this Friday’ FAVO, there is a Living Room Theater Preview in room 236. Banks Helfrich and Tisse Mallon present 10 minute previews of Living Room Theater throughout the evening.  Living Room Theater is a unique, experiential show which focuses on fun, connection and authenticity.
A few things for you to know:
– While not lewd or vulgar, this show is recommended for ages 18 and up
– The preview lasts 10 minutes
– There will be 4 different version of the preview which will be on rotation throughout the evening. See just one or all four!
– No charge for preview and donations will be accepted.

Bring theater to your living room.

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Banks Helfrich, Jack Graham and Tisse Mallon present experiential performances in living rooms.
This unique 50 minute show consists of short segments focused on fun, connection and authenticity. I went to a performance at Tisse Mallon’s home in the quiet College Park neighborhood. Daylight savings time meant that it was dark when I arrived. A table was set up on the walkway to her front door and there was a bottle of red and a bottle of white wine along with wine glasses. For a suggested donation of $5 I had a cup of red to loosen up my line work.

I was a bit anxious since I knew that there would only be 50 minutes to sketch the show and I’m used to having two hours to complete most sketches. The living room was only about 12 by 12 feet. I sat on one of the two couches and about 18 people squeezed in. Folding chairs were set up until everyone had a seat. There were familiar smiles and some people I had never met before. In Victorian times long before TV invaded our living rooms, people would perform for each other for entertainment. These improvisational performances harkens back to those simpler and more creative times.  


Tisse is a talented photographer and life coach and Banks is an independent film producer and director. I had never met Jack but quickly learned that he is a talented acoustic guitar player and actor. The separate acts were tied together by a common thread of connectivity built from honest incidents from the actors lives. In one particularly powerful  scene, Tisse sat alone on stage and silently looked at each of the audience members. I paused my sketch as she looked at me and I felt her smile widen as we looked at each other. She addressed everyone letting then know she felt they we beautiful and she acknowledged how we tried to always get it right. “Darn right” l thought. “This sketch isn’t turning out like I’d expected.” Perhaps always struggling to capture the moment keeps me from appreciating the true warmth of being in the moment.


In another scene the living room went pitch black. l stopped sketching. The actors were warming up their voices and started setting a beat by pounding the floor. I joined in by pounding my unfinished sketch. Everyone in the audience joined in. There was a primal, playful joy in that moment. Scenes were separated by the sounds of birds singing the trees. It felt like seasonal separations that marked the moments of our common experiences. Scenes addressed love, compromise and betrayal.  In a rather dark scene, Banks lay on the floor claiming that his spine was severed. Jack, as his brother reassured him. In an unexpected turn he offered his fallen brother fresh pancakes. Back in the kitchen, off stage, we all heard him moan and then fall to the floor. Banks called on to his brother but never rose. Once again the birds chirped as the room went black.


In the talk back after the show, Tisse explained that rehearsals had established how long each scene was but how each scene unfolded was different every time they performed. Tisse came up with the concept of Living Room Theater and they hope to bring the show to everyone and anyone’s living rooms. There is no cost to book your living room as one of their venues. They also hope to someday take performances on the road. It is a great idea. The intimate setting makes you feel like you are on stage, very much a part of the action. The fourth wall is broken. There were a few moments when I felt an awkward pause as an actor searched, trying to decide how to react and where to take the  scene. What was never lost however was how fearless and honestly connected they were to each other. Mark Your Calendar, the next Living Room performance is Saturday November 7th.

The Film Lester was screened at the White House.

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Lester is a film written and directed by Banks Helfrich which was shot in Orlando.  This screening at the White House was the premiere screening of the film. What was thrilling for me was seeing so many familiar faces of actors I have sketched around the Orlando Arts scene. Another thing that struck me was how beautiful the Florida sky is when it is put on film.

Lester is a compulsive list maker, he loves legs. With the aid of four eccentric
bike shop workmates, Lester sets out to find if he’s remembered. To say Lester is quirky would be an understatement. Then again every character in the film is unique and quirky. Richard Regan Paul plays Lester. He runs an improvisational comedy class. The film interlaces interviews of people who talk about what it was like to meet Lester. In this way his existence is verified by peoples memories. In each Banks Helrich film I’ve seen, a beautiful red headed women plays an important roll. Kristen Wharton plays a woman who recognizes Lester, but after interacting with her, even being kissing by her, Lester realizes that she mistook him for someone else.

In a rather humorous scene, an actress enters the bike shop to ask advice. She was shot from the shoulders down and it was fun to watch the staff since they didn’t know where they should look. When Lester rides his bike to a dance studio, he looks in to watch the students going through rather robotic movements. In a mall, he approaches a woman and asks if he can simply hold her leg. This odd request makes her feel young while it might have been off putting to others. We all hope to live on in others memories and Lester lives on in the memories of the people whose lives he touched.

Granted

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I have three sketches on exhibit this month at City Arts Factory (29 South Orange Avenue). They are part of an exhibit called Granted which is showcasing the work of artists who received grants from United Arts. Between 2009 and 2011, 86 talented artists with a broad range of creative
disciplines including visual arts, film, literature and performing arts,
received grants ranging from $1,000-$2,500 for artistic projects or
training. A total of $97,400 in grants was awarded during the three-year
period in Lake, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole counties. I applied for a
$1,000 grant which paid for most of my sketchbooks and pens last year. I’ve never hung my work in City Arts Factory before because they have a hanging fee. I’ve never seen the point in paying to have my work seen. The good news was that there was no hanging fee for the Granted exhibit. I still had to go to Michael’s to find $8 frames. The show runs through September 15th.

I went to the opening and was immediately drawn to a back gallery that was filled with huge balloons and beach balls. Banks Helfrich had filled the room to promote his upcoming independent feature film called 7 Lives of Chance. There was no one inside so I immediately pushed my way in and found a spot to perch and sketch. Slowly small groups of people were brave enough to push inside. The film’s soundtrack was playing from some speakers on top of a large roll top desk. Benoit Glazer had composed the soundtrack which had a distinctive French, light, breezy and fun air.

A large circular oak table had a pile of balloons that were waiting to be blown up. One guy worked his way under the largest balloon to pose for a photo as Atlas. Immediately after the photo, the balloon popped loudly causing everyone to jump and scream. He apologized profusely to me and I had to explain that I wasn’t in charge.  Periodically as people explored a balloon would pop causing my line or a splash of color to jump. As I left a girl was busy stomping on the smaller balloons with her high heals. Every balloon’s destiny, large or small, was to eventually be popped.

Benoit Glazer

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Benoit Glazer and his wife opened their home, the Timucua White House, starting in September 2000, to bring free music to the Orlando community. I’ve sketched many of these concerts and have always been pleased to discover new talents. Benoit and his family believe and promote the following…
Art and music belong to everyone.
Art and music are the highest manifestation of our humanity.
Art and music should be enjoyed in the most intimate venue: the living room.
Every community is better when art and music are performed and nurtured within it.

After one concert, I discovered that Benoit was composing the sound track music for an independent film called “7 Lives of Chance” that was filmed right here in Orlando. This film, written and directed by Banks Helfrich, is about a woman who loves balloons and is unable to let go of the past. Her life would be so much easier and less painful if she could let go and watch her worries drift away with the breeze. The sound track features light and breezy violin music giving the story a distinct European flair. Benoit jumped at the chance to compose the music.

I sketched Benoit on the weekend as he worked in his sound studio. A collection of violins and trumpets lined one wall. A window looked out on the main stage area in his custom built acoustically designed “living room.” His flat screen computer monitor was tilted vertical so he could see all the tracks. The family was watching a neighbors dog. The Benoits also have a greyhound and this dog made the tragic mistake of nipping at the greyhound while it slept. The greyhound was jolted awake, and bit down on the the other dog’s head. The children took the dog to the vet at a great expense. The dog lay on the floor with a big band aid covering the bite. The dog was restless, and occasionally Benoit would have to soothe it, making sure the dog didn’t scratch at the wound with it’s paws.

After each concert, Benoit mixes a CD to thank the musicians for performing. He began mixing a CD for singer Ashley Lockheed. Chris Rotmeyer was on piano, Ben Cramer on Base and Allen Vache on clarinet. Benoit informed me that Allen is a very big deal, having performed with the Jim Cullen band. The music filled the tiny sound studio as Benoit adjusted the levels again and again. I was surprised when he asked my opinion on the levels of one track. I was just as surprised when he agreed with my humbly assessment. Benoit adjusted the levels using pure instinct. He doesn’t consider himself a perfectionist, he just knows when it feels right.

Seven Lives of Chance

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Dina Peterson told me that a film was being shot at Urban ReThink (625 E. Central Boulevard). I had several hours open before I went to Full Sail that night. She told me that an entire room would be filled with balloons and that there would be a line of extras waiting to get inside. There were no actors around when I arrived, so I sat across the street and started blocking in the architecture. The last time I drew this building it was the Urban Think bookstore which had to close because of the recession. It was a vibrant artists hub then and it is even more vibrant today. This is where I would experience a fraction of Seven Lives of Chance.

As I sketched, Banks Helfrich, the writer and director, parked his car and pulled out a dozen balloons. He and an assistant were dropping off some equipment at Urban ReThink. He stopped over to say hello and let me know that the cast and crew were right down the street shooting outside a Publix supermarket. I don’t know the story behind Seven Lives of Chance but there are plenty of balloons involved. Banks described the first day of shooting which involved recreating a digestive tract using urethane foam. As he spoke the balloons he was holding kept getting blown in front of his face. He batted them aside.

Rather than rush down the street, I decided to keep working on the sketch I had started. Banks let me know they were coming to shoot at ReThink next in half an hour. They were a little behind schedule. Actor, Richard Regan Paul, said hello. He seemed to know me, yet I couldn’t place him in my rattled brain. He was in a scene with Jodi Chase. The scene was shot from inside a ReThink conference room looking out at the actors on the sidewalk. After a take, Banks ran out to the actors on the sidewalk and he described their motivaion with animation and plenty of gesturing.

Dina Peterson waved hello and she shouted out the shooting schedule to me. The line of extras wouldn’t arrive till after I was gone. Dina directed several extras who walked behind the actors in the scene. As one shot was being filmed, Dina raised her arms in panic. A pedestrian was walking right into the shot. She couldn’t stop him. This was a small production that couldn’t afford barricades. Perhaps this unsuspecting extra will end up in the film.

A giant red balloon was inflated in the conference room. It must have been incorporated in the shot somehow. The sound man kept the mic above the actors out of the shot. I couldn’t hear the dialogue, but it looked like Jodi was ready to leave and Richard wanted to tag along. When I finished my sketch, I crossed over to thank Dina for inviting me. She was discussing schedules with the extras and she looked like a thousand derails were buzzing in her brain as yet unresolved. This was a 90 minute feature film being shot in seven days. They had just one chance to get it right.