Apartment Hunt: Lake Formosa

Posted on by Thor

I have been moving from AirBnB to AirBnB in downtown Orlando to get a feel for where I might set up my art studio again. I have been living out of my backpack ever since returning from Europe. I loved Thornton Park. I stayed in two places in Thornton Park, and my favorite was above a barber shop a few blocks from Lake Eola and right across the street from the Falcon Bar.  From the studio window I could look over Lake Eola toward the skyline in the west to see gorgeous sunsets.

Last week I stayed in Azalea Park. I thought Azalea Park was the neighborhood around Dickson Azalea Park which is lovely. I was wrong, Azalea Park is directly under flight path of planes landing at the Orlando Executive airport and the noise is overwhelming. Since that nightmare, I made a map that includes the noise levels from planes.

Today I moved to Livingston Street for several weeks. The place has a back yard with a fire pit and is just a several block walk to Lake Eola. It is so peaceful and quiet here. I am waiting for the shoe to drop, something unsettling is about to transpire. There are some flights that can be hears but they seem to be little prop planes. Honestly if this place had a long-term rental option or was for sale I would consider this a perfect studio location. Unfortunately, it is just an expensive AirBnB and I will need to move out at the end of May.

While sketching today, a woman mentioned that she had a place available in the house right next to the Maitland Art Center. She explained that the place was very small. She didn’t mention square footage. I wonder how small it is? I declined, but now I am thinking I should have at least looked at the place. The location would have been amazing.

Every day I wake up and wonder where I should call home. Should I stay in Orlando where I am familiar with the arts scene, or should I explore some new place? With no roots, I could go anywhere.

The sketch is from a duplex on Lake Formosa that I visited yesterday. It is just 700 square feet with a bedroom and living room which would be my studio. The view out of the sliding glass doors looks out over Lake Formosa. The car port is a plus. I drew a floor plan to see if my studio flat files and Disney desk could fit. It is tight but I can fit in the space. The duplex neighbor has a fiberglass Lizard in the front lawn which I rather like.

Whenever I am serious about a property I tend to sketch after viewing the interior. I find sketching helps me think and consider what it might be like to live in the place. People walked by with their dogs and quite a few bicyclists buzzed past. Several medical helicopters flew over the lake and the train tracks that run along the west bank of the lake are loud. I am trying to decide if the train horn blasts are endearing or annoying.

The location is amazing. A bike path begins right at the end of the street and I could walk to the Fringe, Shakes, OMA and the Mennello. I have been walking up and down Mills Avenue this week and all those restaurant choices and music venues would be walking distance from this spot.

Part of me wants to find a place right in downtown Orlando, but I don’t think those cramped high-rise apartments are for me. I was also walking through Eola Heights each evening and found quite a few homes for sale. I looked online and discovered that every one of them was well over a million dollars (WTF?!)  So, I shifted my gaze to rentals further north. That brought me to Lake Formosa.

I agonized for several days about this property and finally filled out an application form.  My application was denied because someone else snatched up the rental while I was debating. Back to square one.

Boulevard of Bold Dreams Final Poster

Posted on by admin

The first pass at the poser for Boulevard of Bold Dreams had issues where the portrait of Actress Hattie McDaniel didn’t quite look like the actress. I have a tendency to paint bold and spontaneously but this assignment required a more photographic look. I tightened up to get the details right in the face and then let my self loosen up a bit with the background and light effects.

I did one version of the title treatment where the Oscar was in the space inside the O in Bold. I abandoned that concept preferring to keep with the light flare effects throughout.

The challenges faced with this poster have been faced for centuries as artists try to get the details of a face correct and also add some warmth and life to the painting. I decided to spare you the early versions of the painting since the details that are are off are so subtle that It might seem Like I was sharing the same image over and over.I had recently done a painting with gem like highlights on the skin and I went for that effect in this poster.

In the end the painting worked out with delicate yellows and violets throughout. I spent much of my time wrestling with the skin tones making sure the darks were dark enough and the lights light enough. The color of the skin doesn’t matter as much as the value of the skin,

Once again I didn’t have enough time to get to the show to sketch an actual production. I had read the script and therefor know it would have been a great show to sketch.

Maitland Art Center Demo 2

Posted on by Thor

The point of this lesson at the Maitland Art Center was that the center of interest doesn’t need to be in the center. I was also pointing out that the beams up above all relate to a common vanishing point and the horizontal bean is not horizontal in the sketch.

I knew this would be a rushed sketch since we were already an hour into the lesson. Most of my sketches take about two hours to complete and I am happy if there is even more time to refine the sketch.

This was a fun morning of sketching with warm sunshine and cool weather.

The Mayan courtyard at the Maitland Art Center is a great location for taking the time to observe intricate detail and balancing that against wide open spaces.

I enjoy these one on one sessions with students. Contact me if you ever want to join me on sketch outings to learn something new.

Jack Fields Artist Talk

Posted on by Thor

Jack Fields gave an artist talk at The Maitland Art Center, (231 W Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL 32751). I first sketched Jack when he was a puppeteer at a Pinocchio’s Marionette Theater up in the Altamonte mall. A grant from United Arts helped Jack produce a short puppetry film. Performance artist Brian Feldman made a short cameo appearance in that film.

One of Jack’s signature puppets is names Godrick. Godrick is a life sized puppet that jack slips inside. He is bulbous  with black drapery that hides any sign of feet. His large head head isn’t on the shoulders but instead juts out of the characters hips area. A hat sits where his head used to be. His articulated mouth is the one element that animates on the huge puppet. I have sketched Godrick in action at several festivals and the kids love him. There is something about his simple bell shapes form that must appeal top them.

On the table were several glittery heads from the film Happy Memories. I can’t say I understand what the film was about, but it was certainly visually stimulating. My happiest memory was seeing Brain Feldman get zapped by mystical light beams and become a cupcake headed guru.

Participation at the Maitland Art Center.

Posted on by Thor

The Maitland Art and History Museums hosed Participation at the Germaine Marvel Building. A large outdoor event tent was set up on what were formerly shuffleboard courts.  Two young female violinists performed with a piano accompaniment. One of Central Florida’s most intriguing fundraising events,
Participation is a feast for your senses. Local artists transform dining
tables into works of art, and guests enjoy dinner with the artist at
these unique creations. The evening includes live performances and
demonstrations, a silent art auction, elegant dining and more. It is an immersive sensory experience that provides patrons the opportunity to learn about the creative process while raising crucial funds to support educational programs at the Museums.  Artists are the cornerstone of this event.

Participating artists received a
complimentary dinner, and networking  opportunities with Central Florida
collectors and promotion through A&H event marketing Each artist was asked to donate an artwork indicative of their style for the silent auction. All works were valued between $500
and $3000. Starting bids for artwork began at 25% of full value. Artist will provided the A&H with a current resume, bio,
artist statement; digital image of donated artwork and will provide
size, medium and value of work. Tables for the event will seat 8 people and are 60 inches diameter. Artists received an honorarium to put toward supplies.

In sketching the event, I decided to focus on Victor Bokas‘ table. He had a display with lots of poodles, and a small cat that was climbing to the top of the  centerpiece. Victor’s work is bright and abstract while also incorporating recognizable elements. The bright palette clearly has a tropical influence.

Whitney Broadaway has a table with an illuminated wire tree as the centerpiece. Individual leaves hung from the limbs from mono filament and the leaves all twirled in the evening breeze. Whitney said she designed and built the tree the night before in a mad rush. A large battery was hidden in the base.

Pam Schwartz joined me at the event and she was nice enough to make sure I had some food and drink. I wasn’t seated at a table but leaned back against a tent pole as I sketches Victor’s table. I usually skip food since my hands are always busy sketching, but this time I juggled tasks. As I sketched the scene grew darker and darker and I spent my time chasing the light as I painted.

Culture Pop at the Maitland Art Center.

Posted on by Thor

Culture Pop at the Maitland Art Center, (231 W Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL 32751) featured the work of two acclaimed artists, John Petry and Derek Gores, who used Art Under the Stars at Lake Lily as a springboard for their current success.

Mark you Calendar! Art Under the Stars runs from November 11th to November 13th.

Friday Nov. 11              6pm – 10pm

Saturday Nov. 12          10am – 9pm

Sunday Nov 13.            10am – 4pm

Art Under the Slars is a boutique art festival surrounding Lake Lily Park in Maitland with only
135 artists vying for $26,000 in awards.  Art Under the Stars, The 40th
Rotary Club of Maitland Art Festival is the only night-time fine art
show in Florida.  With subtle live entertainment and sparkling lights
the evening hours create magical experiences for artists and patrons
alike.

Collage artist Derek Gores is a recycler of everyday ephemera.
Magazines, labels, newspapers and digital media combine to reflect his
contrasting interest in the abstract aesthetics of figures and objects
in space. A black and white collage  looked like Audrey Hepburn’ The Eifel tower loomed behind her. The entire image was created from fashion magazine strips of paper. He must n are large bins filled with the colorful strips of paper. The attention might wander, with the preexist, photo coming into focus. Several Orlando based artists use this technique to create their art. Derek wag the first to master this technique and they are his decides.

 Chattanooga artist John Petrey is a sculptor working with metal, rubber,
plastic and other industrial and everyday items. Petrey creates iconic
dress sculptures that reference stories from history, pop culture and
childhood experiences. John used to run his own advertising agency when he lived in Orlando. He feels that his work in advertising helped is pi his life sized dress sculptures. The dress in the foreground featured old 1960s yard sticks. John bought about 7000 of these yard stick’s for $100 at an estate sale. The top blouse was of agree copper. Each dress was completely unique u sing unique metals and materials. The furthest dress had a large bell shape skirt that was built from brightly colored past is spoons and forks. From a distance it reminded me of the glass sculptures of Chiuli. John has been building the dress sculptures for the past nine years. His work keeps getting larger and he is now doing large public installation sculptures. I had John sign my sketch.

 

Gallery Hours: Tuesday – Sunday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.; Closed Major Holidays

Admission: $3 adults; $2 Seniors (55+) and Children (4-18 years); free
Children (3 & under) and A&H Members (Memberships start at $30)

Culture Pop! Not Your Typical Art Opening.

Posted on by Thor

I went to the Maitland Art Center (231 E Packwood Ave, Maitland, Florida) to sketch at Culture Pop. The evening featured the opening of “Contemporary and Historic Landscapes,” with works by Bruce Marsh, Dawn Roe and pieces on loan from the Cornell Fine Arts Museum. In addition to being among the first to see new exhibitions, guests also enjoy live music, poetry readings, complimentary food & cash bar with fine wines, craft beer and more.

Activities on the campus grounds included open artist studios and a pop-up exhibit by one of the A&H’s Artists-in-Action, Martha Lent. I decided to sketch The Actomatics, who had set up their band equipment on what used to be an abandoned shuffleboard court. They had a string of white Christmas Light strung across the top of all the instruments and it made for a magical display. Shadow, who was on the keyboards, introduced herself. There was unfortunately very few people in the audience. Besides myself there were only three other people seated in the folding chairs. That didn’t hinder the spirits of Shadow, Rick an of Shadow, John and Rick however. They performed a magnificent set of all original tunes. As a true artist, you don’t always need an audience. Some birds sing for the pure joy of singing. I sketch and write, not knowing if a word is heard, or a sketch seen.

Several times, I was offered complimentary appetizers from Creations Catering and Events. The server was a young woman who is an artist herself. She was very curious about the Wacom tablet I was using to sketch. She is excited about the new Apple iPad Pro that came out and she is hoping it might find its way under her tree this Christmas.

In the Mayan Courtyard, there were literary readings by the DIY MFA Readers: Danielle Kessinger, Misty Watkins and Karen Price. I didn’t make it over that way to sketch. As I left, I did get a chance to see Martha Lent’s large colorful paintings, as she took the art off the walls and loaded it into her car. I admire her large bold works which make me wish that I was working so large.

A heated Critique and Conversaiton at the Maitland Art Center.

Posted on by Thor

Gilbert Vicario was the Guest Panelistat the Artist Critique and Conversation at the Maitland Art Center on March 24th. Gilbert is  the Senior Curator at Des Moines Art Center. Natalie Chikhi who came to 0rlado from France was the first artist to show her work. She had a projector to show us digital images of her work. She creates environmental installations using simple materials. The one piece of hers that I have seen in person involved string converging to a point inside a storage container behind Snap Space. The title of the piece was “Nothingness”.  Another piece used colorful sheets of paper to create a wave like pattern on a gallery floor. She spoke for a while about the challenges in her life, and concluded that the difficult and challenging moment in life are often the most creative.

Martha Lent is the artist who I decided to include in the sketch. She came from a graphic design background and has started producing very large paintings. Gilbert’s comments were rather insipid but he did feel that her smaller works were more refined and complete. I rather admire Martha’s bold large work. It must be liberating to use the whole arm and wrist motion to put down a large stroke rather than the hand and finger movements I use to get color on a sketch.

The one critique that got me the most upset was when Daniella Degulimo showed her work. Danielle went to UCF where she got a BFA in painting. She used to do large paintings of things like the BP oil spill, industry versus the environment and urban sprawl. Recently however she has started a series of smaller works on paper that tackle the same themes. These studies use mixed media and have a bold fresh approach. She showed 15 at the critique and wants to complete at least a hundred to show then all together. Gilbert cut her off and said that she was falling into an art trap by wanting to show a large number of pieces together. I completely disagree. I feel she should do 100 then 200 and keep going. She uses photos she takes of the Orlando sprawl she finds and Gilbert basically felt that the photos might be all she needs. He said, “The materials don’t make it art.” In those few words, he dismissed all of her efforts. I was more than a bit annoyed. I was fuming. I feel she should continue the series but perhaps do more studies on location. Daniella has also done sculptures using straws that replicate the Buckminster Fuller dome. Some of the studies had segmented patterns of the dome incorporated into the sketch. Gilbert dismissed these patterns as being over used and representative of a long lost ideal. I don’t think he is enough of an authority to make that assessment. The entire night he seemed detached and even bored. He never once got out of his chair to inspect the art from a closer vantage point.

Orlando Shuffle offers fun for the whole family.

Posted on by Thor

Old Game, New Year! The Orlando Shuffle  is being played on renovated courts at Beardall Senior Center (800 Delaney Ave, Orlando, Florida) on the first Saturday from 7pm to 9pm and third Saturday from 3pm to 5pm of every month. The Orlando Shuffle is free, and it’s family-friendly.  Retro attire is encouraged. The courts are located just south of downtown. This family friendly sport is gaining in popularity. Many shuffle board courts sit abandoned all around Orlando.  There are shuffle board courts at the Maitland Art Center but those courts are covered with dead leaves and I was told they are set to be demolished. There were some leaves on the Beardall courts but a young volunteer whisked them clean with a broom. City Commissioner Patty Sheehan was proud of the recent renovations to these courts that she helped spearhead. After speaking to me for a bit, she went off to play a heated match.

The game was played and gambled over by King Henry VIII of England, who prohibited commoners from playing; evidently he did not always win. The objective of the game is cue, called a tang to slide, all four of one’s
Weights alternately against those of an opponent, so that they reach the
highest scoring area without falling off the end of the board into the
alley. Furthermore, a player’s Weight(s) must be farther down the board
than his opponent’s Weight(s), in order to be in scoring position. This
may be achieved either by knocking off the opponent’s Weight(s), or by
outdistancing them. Horse collar, the most common form of the game, is
played to either 15 or, more typically, 21. Only the weights in front score.

I watched a husband, wife and their two children play. The wife was fiercely competitive and she won every game by a rather high margin.   There was some controversy about weather a weight on a line counts as a score. I couldn’t pick up all the basics just by watching and sketching. One gentleman really embraced the retro attire look with a sporty cap and vest. If you are looking for something playful to do on a Saturday night, I would definitely put the Orlando Shuffle on your calendar. I considered playing a game to see if I had any shuffle skills but instead decided I should get home to Terry to finish off my Saturday night..

United Arts is offering Artist in the Community Grants.

Posted on by Thor

I went to a workshop offered by Mary Giraulo, the United Arts of Central Florida Manager of Grants and Arts Education at the Maitland Arts Center (231 Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL). The room was pretty full and the Power Point presentation was already started. An author had read about my Life Sketch project where I went to retirement homes to sketch people and get their life stories. I had collaborated with several authors in the past. While they conducted the interview, I sketched. This worked for me because once I start a sketch, I’m lost in the moment until the final wash and lines hit the page. Any conversation is a distraction that takes me cot of my “zone”. One author I worked with took her own life and the other decided it was too much work after a few write ups.

I decided this grant would help pay for the author’s time as well as my own. She was considering a grant for another project as well. I asked at the workshop if an author could collaborate on one project and also get their own grant and it is possible. The tricky loop hole in this grant is that United Arts would only fund half the amount needed. The rest of the funding would have to come from private sources.  The maximum grant amount is $2,500. So I would need to match that amount.

Via e-mail the author let me know that she decided against collaborating on my project. I have 3 days to decide if I will apply for the grant on my own. Perhaps I don’t need an author but instead I could use a tape recorder. When I’m sketching people, they tell me stories even when my attention is mostly on the sketch. Perhaps I could ask a few questions and keep working. I have to finish a large illustration in the next few days and then maybe I’ll fill out all the paperwork. I’ve started keeping track of all the opportunities that are available as I move ahead and this is just one of many. As an artist, you have to pick your battles as you learn to survive as an artist.