Lauren E Lee – Analog Artist Digital World

Around Valentines Day, I went to Dandelion Communitea Cafe to sketch the Madly in Love with me Celebration. Apparently this Celebration was happening in 22 countries and over 500 cities. In the parking lot there were some artists tents set up. Bonnie Sprung had some paintings and delicate scarfs with intricate patterns. Lauren E. Lee was just putting out some hula hoops when I arrived. I knew there might be a drum circle but the event was much smaller than I expected. The woman in charge of the Love Celebration sat alone lightly tapping her drum.

Four lanterns were placed around the fire pit. She took each lantern and walked it out to the edge of the small lawn where she said said a prayer. Her husband helped start up the fire pit. Someone took a container from a Tiki Torch and poured the liquid on the struggling embers. The liquid wasn’t kerosine, it was water. After much struggle, the flame eventually burned bright. Since I was the only other person seated near the fire, I was coached in a drum beat prayer that had me imagine going back to the time when I first heard my mothers heart beat while I was in her womb. At first I thought I might have to fold my hands in in prayer, but I kept sketching. Incense was lit and someone moved it in arcs around my feet and body as I worked. This must be some sort of cleansing exercise. The woman acting as the master of ceremonies announced that at midnight, she and her husband would be celebrating their 20th wedding anniversary. They kissed.

Lauren joined us at the fire and she played saxophone while a little girl twirled, improvising her dance to Lauren’s song. More people joined in for the final incantations, bowing their heads. It was a crisp, cool evening and before the sketch was done, I smelled of fire and incense. There were a few jokes about what self love might mean, but this gathering lifted that notion to a higher plane. I was given a white cut out heart with intricate silver patters swirling on it’s surface. It will make a fine Christmas ornament next year. A large group photo was taken in front of Dandelion and after some coaxing, I joined in.

On Saturday July 30th Avalon held it’s annual Summer Sale and Faery Festival. It was a hot day. Six or so crafts vendor tents were set up in the parking lot next to Avalon (1211 Hillcrest Street.) Faria Maieed was painting a henna dolphin on a little girls hand as her father watched. I contemplated a sketch but the dolphin was almost complete. People were relaxing on massage benches. The massage looked particularly tempting. I went inside Avalon and looked at the wide array of crystals, spices, enchanted crafts and incense. The store wasn’t as crowded as it was last year so it was easy to browse.

Back outside, Florida Tribal Dancers were gathering in one of the tents. People started gathering in a semi circle around them in anticipation of a performance. I set up my stool in the shade of a tree and started blocking in a sketch. Lacey Sanchez, dressed in her gorgeous blue tribal dress, asked the assembling crowd to back up to give the dancers room to perform. Once the dancers came out, people stood right in front of me. I had to move out onto the hot pavement to re-start the sketch. I had to sketch quickly since the dancers twirled constantly. A huge gust of wind lifted one of the tents and people caught it’s poles to keep it from toppling. Lauren E. Lee pointed to the sky. I glanced up as a clear plastic bag danced in the wind swiftly rising up towards the clouds. When the performance was done, I was still adding color washes to the sketch. A woman walked up behind me and said, “You’re neck is going to be crisp as a lobsters hide if you keep sitting in the sun.” After I assured her I would be done soon, another woman approached and warned me about skin cancer. I was getting annoyed since in an ideal world I would of course be sitting in the shade, but life keeps pulling me out into the sun.