RAW Elevations

Posted on by Thor

0n July 11th, I went to RAW “Elevations” at The Abbey (100 S Eola Dr #100  Orlando, FL). Once a month, RAW showcases local Art, Fashion, Film, Performing Art, Photography, and Accessories. There is a dress code, so I put on my best cocktail attire. The Abbey was already packed when I arrived. I pushed my way through the crowd to look at all the art and decide what I should sketch.

I liked Tyler Ackom‘s art which was right near the entrance. I found a leather seat right next to the fake fireplace and I got to work. The crowd was so thick that I seldom got a complete glimpse of the work, but I pieced it together by always shifting my gaze. Tyler’s work is a representation of Art and Music combined into one. He uses everything he can find from computer parts to wood, bamboo, plastics metals, ceramics and anything that would make the piece look cool. I imagine he must have quite the cluttered studio.

A young woman asked if she could sit in my artists stool which I had sitting next to my leather chair. She had high heels on and and her feet were killing her. There really wasn’t anywhere else to sit in the place. The bar was full and everywhere else was dominated by art.  Tyler’s aunt took an interest in my sketch and she photographed it in progress several times. Leggy models walked through the crowd presumably from a fashion show on the stage. For some reason Batman was there as well posing for pictures. By the time the sketch was done, I was exhausted from trying to look through the crowd. Leaving, I bumped into Parker Sketch, Shannon Holt and William IwasReallynothing seated outside which was really the only place where you could carry on a conversation. I showed them my sketch and expressed my frustrations in trying to get it done. They seemed to like the colors, and looking back, it isn’t half bad.

Mark your Calendar, the next RAW Event at The Abbey is called “Translations” and it will be Thursday September 5th at 8PM. Tickets are $10.

RAW Artists Orlando Presents…Marvel

Posted on by Thor

On April 4th, I went to The Abbey (100 South Eola Drive, Orlando, Fl) to check out the talent at RAW Artists Orlando presents…Marvel. There was a line to get in that snaked around the corner into a parking garage.

A recording of Britt Daley‘s “One and Only” was pulsing through the room. “Awesome!” I thought. “They really are showcasing the best local talent.” However, Britt wasn’t on stage that night. Musical acts included Live Hart, Cure for Caska, and Judy Tribune. One performer who sang while I was sketching was so far off key that I cringed.

The artist that caught my eye was this body painter named Nix Herrera. He used stencils and an airbrush to create intricate lettering and designs.  It was really stunning work. The model, Sierra Missed, had a proud and regal expression the whole time. She was enjoying the attention.

Artist, Jean-Claude Rasch introduced himself.  I had met him before at one of Parker Sketch’s art critiques. I remember Jean worked on Plexiglas and the paintings would have different coloring if lit from behind. He was set up in the same spot where Parker Sketch had been set up the month before. Jean’s work had more than a passing resemblance to Parker’s work incorporating splashes and pop culture imagery.

Last time I went to a RAW event I was dressed a bit grungy, walking in with a baseball cap the bouncer reminded me to take off. This time, knowing cocktail attire was required, I wore a suit and tie. I just had to keep the tie from flopping down onto the palette. You have to be over 21 to get in and tickets were $10 in advance or $15 at the door.

RAW:Artists Orlando Presented DISCOVERY

Posted on by Thor

RAW events are multi-faceted artistic showcases. Each event features a film screening, musical performance, fashion show, art gallery, performance art and a featured hairstylist and makeup artist. These artists are all local, hand-picked talent who have been chosen to feature at RAW. RAW’s mission is to provide up-and-coming artists of all creative realms with the tools, resources and exposure needed to inspire and cultivate creativity so that they might be seen, heard and loved. RAW educates, connects and exposes emerging artists in 64 artistic communities nationwide (and counting!) through monthly showcase events.

I was working to 9PM on February 7th and I wet straight to The Abbey, (100 South Eola Drive, Orlando, Florida), from work. When I arrived, the place was packed. This was definitely the most crowded RAW event I had been to. I scouted around to find a spot to sketch from. There was an unoccupied couch and I made a mental note to return to it if I didn’t find a better sketch location. There was a motorcycle behind the sound guy but I didn’t get a great look at it with the crowd pressing in. With so many artists exhibiting their work, there were only narrow isles to move around in.

I returned to the couch only to discover it was art for sale. It was splattered with paint and glitter. I decided to stand next to the “Art Couch” to draw. Parker Sketch was working on several paintings of cocktail glasses. He works in series applying paint thickly. Of course any time someone expressed interest in his work, he would be drawn away to take on the role of salesman. He had a tip jar out full of bills. It’s exciting to see so much interest in art from the night club crowd. Artist Matthew Sutton stopped to talk to me. He said I should set up a booth. Matthew’s work was traditional pencil renderings, pen and ink and marker work of comic book super heroes. He probably does well at Comic Con. Ashley Rolfe one of the RAW promoters noticed me working and said hello. It was the first time I met her in person. I usually check up with her every time a RAW event is coming to  Orlando. As I was packing up to leave, there was a fashion show taking place on the main stage. It was getting late, time to get home.

RAW: RADIATE

Posted on by Thor

Ashlie Rolfe, the Orlando Showcase Director of RAW suggested that I sketch the premiere showcase event of RAW called Radiate at the Abbey. RAW is an International indie arts organization created by artists, for artists. It features local emerging artists in fashion, music, art, film, performing art, hair, makeup, DJs and photography. When I arrived the place was packed with a line down the block to get in. The first artist I noticed was Parker Sketch and next to him was Shannon Holt of Bombshell body Art.
I know Shannon from critique sessions where she showed oil painting which had evolved over many layered iterations. I didn’t realize she did body art, but now that I think back, I might have seen her working at an event a year ago. Shannon is applying for a grant for her body art. Vote to help her out. Her model was already covered with an intricate pattern of lime green and orange. A scarab beetle was firmly painted on her chest. The Batman logo was painted by Parker.

Libby Rosenthal, who worked at the Mennello Museum on weekends, and some of her friends were there and we chatted for a bit, but I couldn’t hear much over the music. I quickly made my rounds looking at all the art and then I found a table that I could stand at up close to the stage. One artist amused me because he was dressed to the nines and worked so hard to look like an edgy artist. I’m not sure the work justified the outfit. Thinking back, I really should have sketched him, but he was busy promoting his image. The band playing was called Stockholm and they had plenty of energy. The guitarist was spinning and gesturing in all directions. It started raining outside so I decided I had to do a second sketch. A videographer was busy shooting footage. When my second sketch was done, so was the rain so I headed home.