Lil Indies

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Lil Indies (1036 Mills Ave N, Orlando, FL 32803) is right next to Wills Pub. I hosted an Orlando Drink and Draw event (ODD) there and when I arrived, Indies was not open yet. I decided to take the time to do a sketch outside and meet any artists as they arrived. Storm clouds loomed a steely blue grey on the horizon. Mills has a constant flow of traffic, and as I did this sketch, a van pulled up to Wills and a band started unloading their instruments and equipment. The sign outside the club says, “no colors and no weapons” which is a good policy in this day and age. I don’t think they actually check for weapons.

The storm clouds blew my way, and it started to rain just before I was finished. I decided the sketch was done when the first big drops hit the page. Greg Bryla arrived just before the deluge and we went inside together.Lil Indies is decorated like I imagine my grandmothers basement would look like. Kitschy paintings adorn the walls, and vintage couches and chairs are scattered around the entry rooms.

The bar itself is built from various colors of hand stained boards and feels hand made. The signature cocktails can be delicious. I found a table in the corner for the artists and set about drawing the stage area. I believe four of us were drawing that night.

On this evening Tod Caviness was hosting a literary event called Loose Lips. Five writers reflect on the news
with their own words, their own frightening words, and the drinks flowed (some of the best cocktails in town are made at Lil’ Indies), and
the world shall continue on as though uninterrupted. It was a good night of drinking, drawing, listening, laughing and reflecting on where we are headed as a nation.


The next loose Lips will be July 3, 2018 at 8 p.m.again at Lil Indies. The event is 21 and over and will return under the terrifying regime of the Functionally Literate crew.

Tornatore’s Pizzeria

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ODD 30 (Orlando Drink and Draw was held at Tornatore’s Pizzeria (3818 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, Florida 32804)
The restaurant was participating in “Dine For Paws”, to support Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando. Patrons could dine and donate during the all-day fundraiser that invited the community to dine out at Leading Local Restaurants.

When Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine gave Tornatore’s a makeover on the Food Network’s Ambush Episode of Restaurant Impossible, Chef Irvine stressed the importance of making everything served at Tornatore’s from scratch. Not just some things, but everything! Together they developed a new Tornatore’s menu filled with delicious signature dishes, creating the only neighborhood restaurant in College Park with a complete “made from scratch” menu.

I ordered Fettuccine Alfredo and some garlic knots. The six knots were the size of softballs so there was no chance I could eat them alone. I sat at a fairly large table just in case other artists arrived. No one ever did arrive. I sampled the Alfredo as I sketched. It did indeed taste like fresh pasta. I know the difference sine we sometimes roll out own pasta at home.

As i was packing up this sketch someone from the corner table did stop over and say hello. It was Ginger and Annette. They were indeed two artists who were catching up as they ate. Annette showed me a painting she was working on of a dog with one brown eye and one blue eye. it was rather good. I apologized for the small turn out and decided to let them go back to their food and their chance to catch up with each other. I took home the large garlic knots but I don’t think I will have the chance to finish them off. Good food and a decent sketch, it was a good afternoon, and part of the proceeds went to a good cause.

Orlando Drink and Draw 10

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Orlando Drink and Draw ventures to a new bar each month to sample beers and sketch. There is no model fee and no instruction. This is just a chance to get out, meet fellow artists and draw.

Big Daddy’s (Orlando
3001 Corrine Dr, Orlando, Florida 32803) is a traditional dive bar in the Audubon District.  New owner Frankie Guerrero has made some amazing improvements including a new game room and additional table seating area.

This ODD event wasn’t very crowded, but quality artists showed up like Audrey Zindler, Noga Grossman and also Wendy Wallenberg. The place had the rich thick smell of cigarettes which for me was a draw back. I breathed shallow as I sketched. My goal has always been to find Orlando’s true dive bars and I have to live with some smoke to get some of these sketches on location. My clothes had a good washing when I got home.

The space reminded me of the strangely sinister pool room Vincent Van Gogh painted in the south of France as he slowly lost his mind. At the time of this sketch I was contemplating separation and a few weeks later I had left. It is almost two years since I left and the divorce is still held up as the value of my art work is being argued. Most of my sketches are in hard bound sketchbooks which are impossible to sell since there is another sketch on the back of each page.

The In between Series at Avalon Island Gallery.

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I had scheduled an Orlando Drink and Draw (ODD) event at Joysticks bar downtown. However when I got to the bar, I suddenly discovered that they aren’t open on Mondays. Joysticks is right across the street from the Gallery at Avalon Island, and I noticed a crowd gathering. I decided to go inside since I needed to get a sketch regardless.

The In between Series are concerts that happen in between the hanging of shows in the Avalon Island gallery (39 S Magnolia

Orlando,

FL

32801). The evening featured an experimental music performance by Tiger Fawn. She wore Klingon Ears which was a fascinating visual touch. Behind her were hung cotton ball clouds that has violet lights inside. One warm cloud was embraced by a halo. As the sun set, the light in the space grew dimmer and dimmer. The tribal psychedelic electronica  music was mesmerizing and unexpected. Largely instrumental, she also incorporated audio loops of vocalizations rather than lyrics.

I sent out a quick Facebook message letting any artists know that Joy Sticks was closed and that Avalon had a great sketch opportunity. Colin Boyer showed up at the tail end of the show. He does incredible digital illustration and has probably attended more ODD events than anyone. I enjoyed the challenge of capturing the fading light and the music certainly inspired me. I had to run to the airport right after the show, So I didn’t linger.

ODD at Elixer.

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The June Orlando Drink and Draw (ODD) was going to be held at another bar on Orange Avenue, but that bar was closed. At the last minute I sent out a message on Facebook letting artists know that we would have to go to Elixer (9 W Washington St, Orlando, FL 32801) right down the block. Pam Schwartz and I arrived first and I started working on the panoramic view of the bar right away.

I got a text from Stella Arbelaez saying she would be there soon with her daughter Laura. Laura is taking a summer theater class and so they were right nearby. She spent the duration of the ODD event going over her lines at the next table. I tried to arrange a chance to sketch a rehearsal but the schedule never worked out.

Anna Ast also managed to find our group. She recently moved here from Russia and according to her, my book is used as a text book there for a group of artists who gather to do Urban Sketches. This is pretty exciting news, and I am hoping to see a copy of the book in Russian at a future ODD outing. Anna founded a cake decoration business here in Central Florida and her husband is a pilot.

We all just drew the bar for the first hour, and then I decided we all needed to sketch each other. I timed the drawings at 5 minutes, and artists had to face off to sketch one another. The artist being drawn, would sign the sketch made of them which makes for a simple way to learn the names of everyone at the table. One of my sketches was done blind, which means that I never looked at the sketch as I put lines on the page, only at the person’s face. These sketches are always fun since you never know what you are going to get.

All sketches are available for sale as a print or original. Contact the artist for details.

Screw fireworks, we all need some Santa on July 4th.

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Usually on the first Monday of each month, I host Orlando Drink and Draw (ODD). In May, I decided to host the event at Frosty’s Christmastime Lounge (50 East Central Blvd, Orlando, Florida 32801). Frosty is a snowman, Frosty is also what you call a cold cocktail or beer. However you interpret it, it is correct. Frosty’s wants to give you the feeling of the holidays all year round. Why wait until December?

Located right near the Orange County Regional History Center, Frosty’s does sport plenty of Christmas bling, like stockings hung with care under the liquor bottles, to a fat Santa near the entrance and the the sexy leg lamp won in the film “A Christmas Story.” Old school large bulb Christmas lights were strung from the rafters and the TVs only played Christmas specials and movies like “Home Alone.” The images on the screen have a strange blue electric haze that may or may not have been intentional, but looked like it was a short circuit.

The specialties at Frosty’s are the craft snow cones with names like, Porky’s Liposuction, Coconuts roasted over an open fire, and the last wurd. I was the only artist around, so I figured it might be a short evening and I ordered a Heineken. Besides myself, there were only 3 people at the far end of the bar. The sketch progressed quickly. Mandi Ilene Schiff stopped by with her fiancé Robert Johnston. Mandi worked up an intricate redesign of the Frosty’s logo. They were soon off to another party as I was finishing up my sketch.

Going to Frosty’s early on a Monday night wasn’t very exciting, but I am sure the place perks up as the evening wears on. I heard that there is snow sometimes, but I didn’t witness it myself. I might return as the weather cools down a bit.

ODD 19 at Wally’s Liquors.

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Once a month, I host a free sketch outing called, ODD (Orlando Drink and Draw). The first ODD event of 2017 was held at Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors, (1001 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803).
Wally’s is a landmark dive bar with a rocking jukebox, serving beer and stiff drinks since 1954. My original goal for ODD was to visit Orlando’s best dive bars. Wally’s definitely is x epitome of a drive bar. 

Upon entering, there is a liquor store to the right with a wide assortment of bottles. Opposite that, two men sat at a table looking at a sports event on the tube. The bar itself is in the back. A U shaped bar fills the tight space. The wallpaper of nude women is the first thing the caught my eyes. I picked a stool at the corner of the bar and ordered a Rolling Rock. Two guys and a gal sat opposite me. Patrons go to Wally’s with one objective, and that is to get drunk. The two guys seemed pretty wasted. The woman, sporting a nose ring and a skull cap fingered her phone and kept her friends amused with the latest Facebook news.  Within minutes of starting the sketch, one of the guys came over to see what I was up to. It turns out he is an artist himself and he spoke for some time about the quick two minute sketches he once did of the patrons at the bar. I overheard some of their conversation which was largely about who had slept with whom and the emotional ramifications. Orlando is a small down, and news travels fast on the streets.

Another bar patron approached me and he said my sketch reminded him of the work of a short little French artist. He got down on his knees to demonstrate the artists height, and I shouted, “Toulouse!” He had seen a movie about Toulouse Lautrec which was made back in the 60s. He said if Toulouse were to enter Wally’s, he would be sketching, just like me. Though my sketch wasn’t finished, he asked if he could share what I was doing. He lifted the sketchbook like a sacred document and shared it with everyone who was in the sketch. A poet entered the bar through the back door. He was asked to chime in on t sketch and he said, “I only can express an opinion about literature, I don’ know much about visual arts.” Then he looked at the sketch and simply shouted “Damn!” He is a man who knows how to use words. The bar maid checked on my progress several times.

Linda Saracino showed up and then Viviana Castro. Viviana could only stay for 20 minutes so she rushed to get a thumbnail sketch done. Then Wendy Wallenberg showed up and she lit up the Internet with a selfie and controversy. Online, Elizabeth Maupin said she had bee warned to never go in the place. She is an artist but I haven’t convinced her to whip out her sketchbook yet. Out in the parking lot Wendy kept yelling at cars that parked to near her Porche. The guys windows were rolled down, so they might have heard her. I was afraid she might start a brawl. 

The night was an adventure. We listened to some good Beetles music on the Jukebox, joked with the regulars and had a couple of beers while sketching. Then Wendy stepped in despite the smoke to make the evening true ODD.

Santa and the Angry Elves.

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The Feast of St. Nicholas is celebrated in parts of Europe on December 6th. On the preceding evening of December 5th, Krampus Night or Krampusnacht,
the wicked hairy devil appears on the streets. Sometimes accompanying
St. Nicholas and sometimes on his own, Krampus visits homes and
businesses. The Saint usually appears in the Eastern Rite vestments
of a bishop, and he carries a golden ceremonial staff. Unlike North
American versions of Santa Claus, in these celebrations Saint Nicholas
concerns himself only with the good children, while Krampus is
responsible for the bad. Nicholas dispenses gifts, while Krampus
supplies coal and bundles of sticks used as a whip.

 On Krampusnacht, I hosted ODD (Orlando Drink and Draw) at the Hammered Lamb (1235 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32804). Santa and the Angry Elves were setting up on the main stage doing a sound check. My impression was that they would set up and then head home for a quick costume change. They disappeared and I didn’t see them again, so I finished the sketch without their festive costumes. A train rumbled by just inches behind the stage and then a bar maid came around with a tray full of shots. The 44 North Train shots are passed out free every time a free rumbled by. I must have had four shots during the course of making this sketch.

By the time Santa and the Angry Elves returned, I had done sketches of several Krampuses and a sketch of the Deviant Dolls sales booth. I was sketched out for the night. As Santa and the Angry Elves took to the stage, I was packing up my art supplies to go. Just as I was leaving several more Krampuses showed up. One was covered in white fur like a Yeti, and had extremely long horns. The Krampus costume contest was still to come,  and it would be a toss up between the white Yeti, Krampus, and the gorgeous long clawed Kampus in a wheel chair. I really should have stayed to sketch the both, but I was tired.

Deviant Dolls dominated at Krampusnacht.

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Orlando Krampusnacht was presented by Pink Hair Productions and Thomas M. Bunting Projects.

He’s half-goat, half-demon and all holiday cheer. He has horns and a long tongue he is covered in fur. He caries a switch which he uses to spank children who have been bad. This demonic holiday demon keeps children in line much more effectively than Santa. It was night of not-so-traditional holiday fun honoring Krampus! I decided to host ODD (Orlando Drink and Draw) at the Hammered Lamb (1235 N Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida 32804) on the same evening as Krampusnacht. About six artists stopped out to sketch the festivities.

I wandered inside to enjoy the air conditioning, and discovered this incredible collection of Deviant Dollz. These adorable, bloody, bruised and scared dolls all had personality. Many dolls had horns just like Krampus himself. The exotic sales mistress had on a billowing black skirt with a tight corset.  Prices ranged from $20 and up. These bloody creations are sure to grab
attention as the~f hang in Christmas stockings, or from a rope. Several dolls were sold while I did the sketch.  I felt I had to work fast, before they were all gone. Krampus himself inspected the dolls with a knowing approval.

Orlando Drink and Draw

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I have been hosting a monthly art event called Orlando Drink and Draw (ODD) for the past year. Artists gather at a new bar each month to well, drink and draw. This ODD event took Place at Ollie’s Public House (3400 Edgewater Dr, Orlando, Florida 32804). There is a social aspect to the event and artists get to share their experiences and sketches. I am fascinated by other artists hands. Some are slender and delicate with thin skin showing every sinewy tendon and veins. My hands seem bulky in comparison.

I have artists do quick five minute sketches of each of he facing across the table. With the Sketch done, all the artists change seats to face off against another artist. My thought is that this is a quick way for artists to meet and interact, much like speed dating just with sketching. I like that couples come to ODD as a unique date night. Once everyone has been sketched, we share sketchbooks, and the artist who was sketched, signs the portrait. That way everyone has a record of the artists they met that evening.

With all the portraits done, we went on to play, Truth or Sketch. An artist would be asked to tell the truth or do a sketch. Basically every artist chose to do a sketch  rather than tell the truth. My challenge was to sketch a woman riding a pterodactyl. I was also challenged to draw a garden gnome carrying in a life size girl. I will not bother you with that sketch, you are better off using your imagination.

ODD 17 is happening tonight, Monday November 7th at 7pm to 10pm  at Dexter’s in Winter Park (558 W New England Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789).