Julio Sanchez Julsan – Analog Artist Digital World

Cafe Tu Tu Tango (8625 International Dr, Orlando, FL) is designed to feel like a Spanish artist’s loft, it
evokes a time when artists found inspiration and community in sharing
food, drink and philosophy with one another. The bohemian lifestyle
fashioned life as a grand celebration, a feast of the senses to be
shared and treasured. Together, artists found kinship over meals shared
on appetizer-sized plates, over drink, music, and conversation.

One of the things that truly makes Cafe Tu Tu Tango unique is the menu.
Not only do they serve up creative fare that captures exotic flavors from
around the world, but they do so in small, appetizer-sized portions that
were meant to be shared. Choose an array of dishes for your table, and
let the party enjoy them communally. Experience a spectrum of the
world’s most tantalizing tastes together. Savor both the food and the
company. This is what life is all about.

I went to the Cafe because Ashlie Lawson, the director of marketing for Loft 55 Gallery and Boutique pointed out that Samuel Rivera, the Gallery owner, arranged for artists to work at the cafe. I had eaten at Tu Tu more than ten years ago and now I was curious. I sat at a table that had a view of an artists work area. About three artists work live as guests eat and chat. Local artist Julio Sanchez Julsan began organizing his paintings in his work space. I have seen Julio’s work before at FAVO. It is bright and colorful folk art with a modern edge. My goal of course was to catch Julio as he painted. I grew impatient as he made phone calls and surfed the web. I finally drew him as he was staring at his cell phone screen. After probably an hour and a half he finally did put a brush stroke to canvas. I erased the cell phone and put a brush in his hand.

On the table a Windsor Newton jar held all the utensils. Paintings were hung everywhere but most were truly awful. An odd green elephant stood next to a primitive butterfly. A ghastly painting of a clown face brought me back to my childhood in which my parents had two paint by number clown faces hanging in the basement. I suppose one of my older brothers or sisters must have filled in the numbers. But they were a classic example of middle class bad taste. The food however, came out almost immediately and everything was delicious. A belly dancer worked her moves several times that night but my center of interest was Julio so I never caught her. As a local, I lost sight of this place but it is a great place to hang out with friends. Mark Your Calendar! Every Friday Tu Tu Tango has a “appy hour”, that is appy as in appetizers, with two for one drinks and $3 appetizers!

On the first Friday of each month, artists gather at a former motel to display and sell their work. Faith Arts Village Orlando (FAVO) is at 221 E. Colonial Dr., Orlando, Florida).

FAVO is a free Event open to the public. There were 21 studios of amazing artists. The FAVO Market outside had even more artists and vendors. This is a Family Friendly Event with Activities for Children, plus Food Trucks and live music.

Will Benton organizes the event and I visited his corner studio. He had a large abstract on the wall that he had done. He suggested I show my sketchbooks in the market and I’m considering the idea.

Julio Sanchez Julsan had bright folk art on display. A brightly painted chair was both charming and disturbing. It resembled an electric chair. Rodney McPherson told me he was working on a mural on the ceiling of Twist Hair Studio. It makes sense to have something to look at as you lie back to get your hair washed in those custom sinks. Todd Fox had intricately decorated cigar boxes that resembled primative alters with shells and other found objects. Brian Barnett from Deltona was showing quirky abstract line art that reminded me of paintings by Miro. Richard Perez Messina (Jano) showed me his splashy abstracts. Hidden within were images of faces and a dragon. He paints with his hands, smearing the paint with abandon. I defiantly liked his bold approach.

None of the air conditioners seemed to be working very well. As it is now, artist set up for the evening and then break everything down the same night. Only one or two artists actually work in the motel rooms. The buildings are undergoing renovations to bring them up to city codes. The dream is that this will one day become a thriving artist’s community. As I sketched, I noticed a large diptych of a heart was sold as well as some potted plants. There was a guitar player playing a rhythmic beat over and over. Someone began talking to him and the rhythm continued. I kind of envied the woman getting a massage. I was tense and sweating.

Mark your Calendar! The next FAVO Art Exhibition and market is Friday September 6th from 5pm to 9pm.