Winter Park “Sunset Paint In”

Posted on by Thor

The public was invited to come by as Winter Park Paint Out Artists gathered on the shore of Lake Maitland, hosted by the Winter Park Racquet Club (2111 Vía Tuscany Winter Park, FL 32789.) There the artists captured a beautiful Florida sunset from the west-facing shores Lake Maitland. Guests settled in with friends and family as dusk drew near and they watched the magic unfold across  canvasses. This was the perfect opportunity for members and non-members of the club to invite guests and check out this one-of-a-kind event. Artists painted along the shoreline as well as throughout the lush and festive grounds. Guests could grab a drink and share the vista and watch as these outstanding artists created a vivid sunset memory on canvas. Artwork was available for sale the night of the event and you can also see the evenings completed artwork in the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens (633 Osceola Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789) “wet room” gallery through April 28, 2018.

I set up in the shade of a bush to sketch the artists working in the shade in front of the mansion that is next to the Racquet club. It turns out I was right next to the admissions tent which is where everyone picked up their cup and a comment card to see which wines were the best. Since I was right at the entrance, quite a few people stopped to look over my shoulder. The multiple conversations were as enlightening and fun as getting the sketch done. I met a water colorist who knew of my work from Instagram. I also ran into Cher Cloude Topps, a former student who was experiencing the paint out for the first time.  Robert Willson asked me quite a few questions about the fountain pen I was using. It turns out he hand makes fountain pens and we spoke about having me take one of his pens for a “test drive” and giving him feedback on how the pen works for creating art.

The artist in the red shirt was Don Sontag from Winter Park. He was working on a painting of the admissions tents with the sunset behind them. The other artist I believe was Scott Heistand from Ormond Beach. Unfortunately he left before I got a chance to see his finished painting. By the time this sketch was done, the sun was about to set. I was given a sandwich and some chips, so I stood closer to the water to watch the final moments as the sun hit the horizon. The temperature immediately dropped, so I decided it was time to turn in my wine voucher. The red wine warmed me up a bit as I joked with a few of the artists before I left.

Sunset “Paint In”.

Posted on by Thor

The week long Winter Park Paint Out culminated in a Sunset “Paint In” held at the Winter Park Racquet Club, 2111 Via Tuscany, Winter Park FL 32789. The public was invited to see Paint Out Artists gathered on the shore of Lake Maitland as they captured a beautiful Florida sunset from the west-facing shores Lake Maitland.

This event has become incredibly popular. I arrived right on time and had to search the entire racquet club parking lot for a spot. I believe I found the very last parking spot in the grass. And even so, two tires were on a gravel path. A line of female artists were lining the path approaching the entry to the event. I passed them and decided to get closer to the water. I settled in and started sketching from in front of a hedge. It offered some privacy since patrons couldn’t stand behind me and look over my shoulder. Since I wasn’t officially a “Paint In” participant, I didn’t want to draw any attention to myself. Even so, I had some pleasant conversations with friends.

 Artwork was available for sale the night of the event and patrons could also see the evenings completed artwork in the Polasek’s “wet room” gallery the following day. There is a definite challenge to staring straight into the setting sun. I used my baseball cap to block the sun while I sketched the artists at work. I started my sketch because I liked the heroic stance of Patrick Noze as he blocked in his canvas on the far right. His broad stance suggested a confidence with his brush strokes being driven by his arms and shoulders. In contrast, Jeff Ripple was executing a small intimate painting on the left. His piece required the delicate details of tiny brush strokes. Vladislav Yeliseyev arrived later, and set up between the two artists. Vladislav is the one watercolor artist among the 25 or so plein air painters. His loose watercolors have a limited palette and have a full value range with little use of line. I vastly a mid every piece of his that I saw in the Polasek wet gallery.


Some artists who finished their paintings had frames that they used to store The is still wet panels. I had never thought about the notion that a frame is a good way to store and transport a wet painting. many paintings were sold right off the easels. A patron could walk away with a still that night. The me were free drink samples available. I tried a coconut rum mixed with pineapple juice. H was delicious, but the shot glass sized plastic cup left me wanting more. Hal Stringer offered me two drink tickets and I cashed them in at the end of the evening for two red wines. This paint out week is a fun event I really should be a part of next year as they celebrate their 10th anniversary.

Kraft Azalea Gardens

Posted on by Thor

Kraft Azalea Gardens is a gorgeous place to sketch as the sun sets. This 5.22-acre public garden is located on the shore of Lake Maitland
and is open all year from 8 a.m. until dusk. Lakefront, secluded and
unique, this is Winter Park’s secret garden! This beautiful park
is shaded by enormous cypress trees that add to the old Florida charm
of the 13-acre property.

This gnarly old tree with light bark lights up a bright orange in that golden moment before the sun slips behind the luxury homes on the far shore. The winding bark seemed to hint at hidden female forms which glowed in the fading light.

I returned several times wanting to catch the colors and forms in oils as well as watercolor. Right next to this tree is a rare Banyan Tree which is native to India, Siri Lanka and Pakistan. It is often planted around temples and is considered sacred by Hindus and Buddhists. The free is not cold tolerant and usually only grows in an area south of Miami. A deep freeze in 1989 devastated many of these trees, so the tree in Kraft Azalea is quite rare. A Banyan in Saint Augustine was thought to be the most northern Banyan in the state but it died in the 1989 freeze. Some therefor believe this to be the northern most Banyan in the state. It is believed that the tree was first planted here in 1938 when Kraft Azalea Gardens was first developed by Notable

nurseryman Martin Daetwyler who was hired to

design the garden by well-known residents,
George and Maud Kraft, Mayor Frederick Cady,

Forney Shepard, Leonard Hackney and Mrs. C. F.
Ward.

Knowing the history of this unlikely pair of trees, I plan to return for several more sunset sketches to watch them light up with a fiery glow. The twisted intertwining forms of the Banyan will be fun to draw.