Otronicon VIP Party

Posted on by Thor

On Thursday January 16th I went to sketch the Otronicon VIP Party at the Orlando Science Center, 777 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL. The VIP Party gave Mayor Buddy Dyer and other politicians a platform to proclaim Orlando the center of the high tech digital universe.

Most intriguing was Sarah Anderson who in 2003 lost the use of her legs in a car accident. She was sporting an EKSO Bionics suit that used a computer and digitally balanced braces that helped her stand and walk. I had sketched Sarah Anderson one other time at a fundraiser. Oddly, her story that evening was that she lost the use of her legs in a skiing accident.  Perhaps the executives or PR department felt that an auto accident is something more people could identify with and therefor would sell more bionic suits.

The military was out in force demonstrating flight and battle simulators. The mayor delighted in telling a story about how he blew a six inch hole into a friends chest. Students demonstrated a robot they had built for a robotics competition. One student had a Frisbee, so I suspect that in competition the robot would have to throw the Frisbee. This big orange boxy robot however wasn’t yet up to the challenge. Jen Vargas and Josh Murdock, both sporting Google glass headsets stopped to say hi. They are both going to be on a panel discussion about technology. Jen will be screening a film that won the Orlando 48 hour film festival. Teams of filmmakers were given only 48 hours to write, direct, shoot and edit their films. Seth Kubersky was at the event reporting for the Orlando Weekly.

Otronicon, running every day through January 20th, is a celebration of interactive technology’s role in how we
live, learn, work and play. The event features larger-than-life video
game experiences, state-of-the-art medical and military simulators,
workshops taught by industry pros, and so much more! The event has the
opportunity to inspire a child’s interest in science and tech careers
through the appeal of video games, interactive technology and virtual
reality.

Admission
to Otronicon is $19 for adults and $13 for youth (ages 3-11). Tickets
also include access to the new traveling exhibit “Zoom Into Nano,” giant
screen and 3-D educational films, one Hollywood feature-length film,
and live programming. Science Center members can experience Otronicon
for free. It is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, January 19 and Monday, January 20.

For more information, please call 407-514-2000 or visit www.otronicon.org.

Stardust

Posted on by Thor

I went to Stardust Video and Coffee (1842 Winter Park Rd, Orlando, FL) with the plan to sketch Nerd Nite. I arrived right after work and ordered a Crispin’ Glover sandwich and a Coke. I was order number 15. Long tables in this room are made from old doors with an incredibly thick varnish over the surface. The varnish fills in all the doors panel insets. I assumed that the Nerd Night presenters would set up a movie screen in the small staging area framed by red curtains.

The great thing about Stardust is that people come here with laptops and notebooks to work. When you are in a room full of people busy working there is an energy that always motivates me to sketch. Although I might be alone, the activity and energy of the room makes me feel part of a vibrant community. In a digital world, we are all hungry to connect in our own unique way. I sit quietly watching and sketching while extroverts carry on fast animated conversations. The chatty moments as people mingle before an event begins are my most productive time.

I realized half way into the sketch that I was at Stardust on the wrong night. The army of nerds I hoped to sketch never showed. With so many events on my calendar, I sometimes get the date or time wrong. But I don’t care. There is plenty of beauty and drama to be found even in the everyday pace and flow of Stardust, it is what you make it.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

Posted on by Thor

Saturday January 11, 2014

1pm to 3pm $5 Science Play Festival. Mad Cow Theatre (54 West Church Street, Orlando, Florida 32801).  “A Short History of Nearly Everything”. Adapted by Lauren Gunderson from a book by Bill Bryson. For the first time ever, Mad Cow Theatre creates a unique play festival exploring the world of science plays through a weekend of staged readings and discussion forums. Join us as we explore the worlds of science, technology and history through imaginative stories.

7:30pm to 9:30pm $5  Science Play Festival. Mad Cow Theatre (54 West Church Street, Orlando, Florida 32801). “Photograph 51” by Anna Ziegler. For the first time ever, Mad Cow Theatre creates a unique play festival
exploring the world of science plays through a weekend of staged
readings and discussion forums. Join us as we explore the worlds of
science, technology and history through imaginative stories.

9pm to Midnight Free Falcon Soundraiser. The Falcon 819 E. Washington Street, Suite 2, Orlando, Florida. Soundraisers are a series of live shows presented by The Falcon, over the next couple of months. We will be actively accepting donations at each event and throughout the coming months at The Falcon, in hopes of generating enough funding to purchase a simple Sound/PA system for The Falcon. This will enable LIVE music on a more frequent basis at an already KICK ASS hang, and give local talent yet another venue to share their art! The first in the series will feature: audiotourism (members of SC Accidental and LostGhosts) http://audiotourism.bandcamp.com/ Instrumental/non-vox/two piece “90’s-esque inde-guitar swing ala wall of sound!” Come on out and support local business and local talent!

Sunday January 12, 2014

7:30am to 9pm Free Gallery Fresh Art Markets. Orlando Fashion Square 3201 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803. On the 2nd Sunday of every month Gallery Fresh Art Markets and Orlando Fashion Square proudly present “Show Your Art.” This free to the public, indoor, non-juried art event showcases 60 to 90 local artists and fine crafts persons and is located throughout Orlando Fashion Square.

1pm to 3pm  $5 Film Slam 14′. 1300 S Orlando Ave, Maitland, FL 32751. FilmSlam will usually be held on the second Sunday of each month at 1PM at Enzian. Come celebrate independents day! Experimental Films, Puppet Films, Art Films, Bartenders throwing bottles, Gangsters, a Music Video….this has to be the most amazingly eclectic line we’ve had for all of 2012. Q&A with the filmmakers to follow screening. http://www.enzian.org/film/filmslam-14

7:30pm to 9:30pm $5 Science Play Festival. Mad Cow Theatre 54 West Church Street, Orlando, Florida 32801. “Isaac’s Eye” by Lucas Hnath. For the first time ever, Mad Cow Theatre creates a unique play festival exploring the world of science plays through a weekend of staged readings and discussion forums. Join us as we explore the worlds of science, technology and history through imaginative stories.

Writing Workshop

Posted on by Thor

Patricia Charpentier had a writing workshop on the beautiful shores of Lake Adar in Orlando. The dozen or so participants scattered along the shores to find their private bucolic spot in which to write. I sketched a woman writing in her yellow legal pad. I liked the fact that she used a simple pencil to write down her thoughts. Other students used laptops. I seldom use and digital devise to sketch since the idea that the battery might die is just too stressful. The last thing I need is to start a sketch and then have the screen go dark before the sketch is done. It has happened enough times to keep me using pen and paper.

The writers gathered together when they were done to share their work. Every story was inspired in some way by the setting. There are thousands of these scenic lakes scattered throughout Central Florida. I spend most of my time trying to find roads that snake around the lakes as I make my way to venues. Once in a while it is nice to stop and linger, especially since it is cold enough up north for snow.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

Posted on by Thor

Saturday December 28, 2013

7pm-9pm Free Music. One Flight Up (440 N Donnelly Street, Mount Dora FL 32757.)

7:30pm-11pm Free Contra Dancing. Secret Lake Park, (200 N Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry, FL.) Contra dance is … Easier than walking. More exercise than jogging. More fun than you can imagine. All Ages Welcome – Instruction Provided at 7:30pm. No partners necessary. Monthly on the Last Saturday – 8 to 11pm.

8pm-Midnight $10. Acme After Hours: TRANSFORMERS Art Party with Defenz Mechanizm! Acme Superstore (905 E. SR 434, Longwood, Florida 32750.) 21+ with an ID Free Beer & Sangria. Megatron grinder acts by local celeb performer, Defenz Mechanizm! www.facebook.com/defenzmechanizm. Cosplay Burlesque, Belly-dancing, Costume Contest, Played Out Podcast, DJs…

Sunday December 29, 2013

 10am-Noon Free Super Joy Riders. Eastern entrance of the Lake Eola Farmers’ Market. You + Superhero Costume + Bike = Best Sunday Ever. We are inviting Orlando to come with us on a fun filled bike ride of awesomeness on the last Sunday of the month. Dress like a superhero, hop on a bike, and follow our scavenger hunt list of Good Deeds as we all try to save the world with small acts of kindness.

5:30pm-9pm $10 Southern Fried Sunday. Will’s Pub (1042 N Mills Ave. Orlando FL). Thomas Wynn and Friends, Hymn for Her, Bad Santa and The Angry Elves and The Bloody Jug Band will be entertaining you with some great music!   BBQ from The Smiling Bison!

9pm-11pm Free Solo Acoustic Spoken Word. Natura Coffee and Tea (12078 Collegiate Way Orlando FL).

Mennello Museum

Posted on by Thor

I have been returning periodically to the Mennello Museum (900 E Princeton St, Orlando, FL) to do sketches of the exterior. This is my favorite sketch so far. I had to eliminate a tree to help streamline the composition. Trees have been disappearing at an alarming rate at the museum recently. The property is owned by the City of Orlando and they maintain the landscape. A large hole that looked like a grave marked the spot where one tree once stood. A wedding was happening that day and I imagine the happy couple posing for photos in front of the open grave where the huge root system had been dug up.

Another day I came to draw, bright yellow caution tape marked off a large area behind the museum.  A tree branch had fallen and the yellow tape was meant to protect an unsuspecting public. I hope the tree isn’t cut down to spite its branches. There is a huge Live Oak in front of the museum with sweeping long branches that swoop down and touch the ground. It must be hundreds of years old. It is a gorgeous tree. Spanish moss hangs lazily from many of the trees as a reminder that we are in the deep south.

Now on display in the Museum you can discover the Everglades through art. In 1935 American artist Eugene Francis Savage made the first of many
journeys into the Florida Everglades to study the Seminoles. Inspired
by his observations over two decades, he created perhaps the most
extensive painted record of the Florida Seminoles from the early 20th
century. These works reflect Savage’s concern for the plight of native
culture as tourism, land development and environmentalist debates
threatened their traditional way of life. Capturing the natural rhythms
of the Everglades, these works present a vision of Seminole life and
seek to awaken the imagination and inspire the spirit. This is a great series of paintings. Be sure to see this rare collection before it leaves on January 5th. Its a great place to bring family over the holiday. 

Admission for adults is $5. Members get in free. Get a loved one a museum membership this holiday season. It makes a great stocking stuffer and is a gift that keeps giving all year long. I have two free tickets to the museum for the first person who can name the artist whose pen and ink drawings with watercolor were published in 2000 as the book “Crackers in the Glade.” His work is now on display in the Mennello through January 5th. Just post your answer in the comments section to win, or e-mail the answer to analogartistdigitalworld@gmail.com.

The museum will be closed December 23-25 and December 30-January 1st.

Annual Meeting – History Center

Posted on by Thor

The Annual Meeting was held in Courtroom B on the third floor of the historic Orlando Regional History Center. This meeting was short and to the point. As a matter of fact the meeting was over before I had a chance to finish the sketch so I had to rush. Johanna Clark called the meeting to order and introduced the gusts who were the family of James K. Rush.

The 2008 minutes were approved and then old business was discussed. The treasurers report probably took the most time and the bottom line is that the History Center is operating in the green with assets of just over a million dollars. Several motions were put to the floor and the members all sheepishly approved each item. All board members, the executive committee and the treasurer were all approved back into position. There was no items that required discussion and no dissent. One small tidbit of trivia intrigued me when the Executive Director pointed out that the first film ever shot in Orlando was called “Moon over Orlando”. She hasn’t been able to find a print of that film and I wonder if it will ever pop up.

I was still splashing watercolors on the sketch when the meeting adjourned and people made their way out. Sara asked if I would be much longer and I said I would be finished in 5 minutes. She said I could always come back to finish up.