CREAM at the Falcon

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The Falcon Presents: CREAM. The Cream of the Crop, ‘La crème de la crème,’ the cream of the cream, the best of the best. The Best of Orlando of Artists.
The show opened December 12th and runs through January 18th. I have one sketch of a poetry reading in the show. Check out the most talented artists in Orlando! When you buy local art for yourself or as a gift, you support both the artists in our community and the local economy and you get the joy of giving something that is one of a kind. Melissa Felcman was still placing labels under the artwork when Terry and I arrived. We ordered several hard ciders and I watched the bar maid do her multitasking ballet of serving drinks.

At the opening, I did a sketch at the bar. As I worked, the place filled with artists. Kelledy Francis who did some amazing fine art fashion when she was here in Orlando, had moved to Texas and then NYC where she now works at an advertising agency. She used to work as an art teacher at Valencia College and I once visited her class to share my sketchbooks with students. Scott Donald introduced himself. I had sketched Scott once before as he worked on a painting behind Neon Forest Gallery. He had long hair back then, and I didn’t recognize him in a trim suit all polished up. The Neon Forest Gallery unfortunately had to close down several months after I sketched the opening. They used to bring in hot artist talent from NYC and LA but people in Orlando weren’t buying. It is a sad tale I have heard again and again. Ron Marrs stopped by the bar long enough to let me know he was moving to New Orleans.

Divorce Court

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As I write this, I’m in New Orleans in a suit and tie ready to go to a lavish wedding… Ron and Maisy Marrs were seated in the waiting room for courtroom 16E. They had gotten up before the sun rose so they could get through the courthouse security and be ready for their divorce hearing at 8:30am. When I walked in they were already calmly seated together in the crowded waiting room. Maisy was reading the divorce papers. I grabbed the last remaining seat in the room, directly across from them. Then we all waited. Court officers disappeared into the courtroom door beside me.

Finally an officer opened the courtroom door and called in the first couple. They had arrived late and were seated out in the hallway. When they exited the courtroom they looked relieved. I raised my fists in mock celebration and Maisy & Ron laughed. The next couple called in was late as well. I suggested to Ron & Maisy that they should move out into the hallway if they ever wanted to be called into the courtroom.

When they finally were called in, I joined them. The judge asked why I was in her courtroom. Ron blurted out that I was there as a witness. I was blocking in a sketch already but I knew from the preceding couples that the hearing wouldn’t last more than 5 minutes. I was thankful I wouldn’t have to go on the witness stand. Ron was seated at what is traditionally the defendant’s table and Maisy sat at the prosecutor’s table. The judge asked Maisy why they were getting divorced. “Irreconcilable differences.” Maisy said. I was impressed, a very lawyerly response. “That isn’t a reason” the Vulcan judge responded. “Well, we aren’t in love anymore.” Maisy shot back. “That is a feeling not a reason. The court needs a logical reason for your divorce.” I felt bad for Maisy, she hadn’t thought to bring along any solid evidence or proof. It suddenly seemed that this divorce might not be granted. Ron stepped in and saved Maisy. “She is going to move to California and I am staying in Orlando.” he said. “That makes sense, now, was that so hard?” she said. “Have all your finances been arranged?” “Yes.” Ron responded. With that settled, the judge announced that their marriage was dissolved. They still had to do some paperwork, but they were now divorced.

Afflatus Handmade Art Bazaar

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Afflatus is a Latin term that translates as “divine inspiration.” Most people assumed it had to do with flatulence. The event was at Redlight Redlight. Admission was $5 and I was given a swag bag full of buttons, coupons, several cookies and a ticket for a spiked cider. I wandered booth to booth to scope out the art offerings. I was fascinated by moss terrariums that were in glass jars, coffee pots and even a butter dish. There was jewelry and handmade quirky stuffed creatures. I saw Maisy and Ron Marrs and decided I had to sketch her colorful table full of art. When I asked Maisy if she minded me sketching, she said, “Of course not. You better get me now since we are getting divorced, and I’m heading to California.” I was surprised at how friendly and amicable they were with each other. I always assumed divorces were contentious and bitter, but they proved me wrong. I didn’t know what to say when they gave me the news. I finally shouted, “Congratulations!” and we all laughed. Their court date is October 17th and I offered to sketch the proceeding. Everyone uses a wedding photographer but they don’t document the divorce. I figure art should fill that gap.

Maisy and Ron sat at opposite ends of the table. As I was sketching some woman seated behind me started chatting at me. Why do people feel the need to interupt me when I’m drawing? She told me all about an art class she took for $25 where you bought your own bottle of wine and painted. She had to pull out her iPhone to show me the paintings she had done in her inebriated state. I did take note of the art class since it might make a good blog post at some point. I was thankful when her boyfriend returned to distract her. I got back to work.

Maisy’s art is quirky and fun. Children would always stop at her table, they were her best costumers. Her art was selling well and she had more hidden under the table to restock. Ron gave me a post card sized painting. The description on the back said it all… “Pointing at a heart shaped cloud while sitting with a green bug + having a rainbow land on my head. (A flower watches happily.)” I’m disappointed that Orlando is loosing another artist. This seems to be part of a mass exodus.

The Sketchbook Project

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The Sketchbook Project has been traveling the country hitting large cities everywhere. Now it is in Orlando for two more days. I went on Friday, the first day to see what the buzz was about. I submitted a sketchbook and it is part of this national tour. In all there are over 10,000 sketchbooks from artists from around the world. The mobile sketchbook library is being housed at Full Sail Live which is a brand new state of the art performance space on the Full Sail campus. When I arrived, Mark Baratelli and Brian Feldman were in the lobby. The first order of business was to get a library card, so I got in line to pick up my card.

Inside there are about 10 to 15 bookcases full of sketchbooks. My first impulse would be to thumb through multiple sketchbooks until I found one that caught my eye. Unfortunately you can’t walk among the stacks and choose the books yourself. The Project staff have to find the sketchbook for you. You can pick sketchbooks by the artist’s name or by geographic region or by the theme. I remember my theme was “Faces in a crowd.” I asked for two sketchbooks with that theme. One had over rendered pencil drawings of people’s faces from family photos. It had little appeal. The second book was covered in foil and had entire pages boldly painted with gouache. It was bold and interesting. Maisy and Ron Marrs showed up so I shadowed them for a bit so I could glance at Maisy’s sketchbook. Her work was fun and whimsical and there was a sketch of me in there which was an unexpected surprise.

I started sketching the long line of people waiting to check out sketchbooks. I spoke with Megan Everhart who was waiting to pick up her 2012 sketchbook. She had driven five hours down here from South Carolina to experience the Sketchbook Project first hand. Her work is abstract and she also does murals. Her iPhone had died so she couldn’t continue to shoot photos. I offered her my charger but I couldn’t find the wall plug piece. It was somewhere in my bag, but I couldn’t locate it among all the art supplies. She had a five hour drive back north so she headed out early. A former Disney colleague, Rusty Stoll was checking out sketchbooks, but after four books he was disappointed in the lack of draftsmanship. I saw Tracy Burke with her parents checking out the work. I kept bumping into people I knew, like Bess Auer of “Central Florida Top 5.”

All afternoon I checked out sketchbooks and I was enthralled by the wide variety of the work. At 6pm the founders of the Sketchbook Project, StevePeterman and Shane Zucker took to the stage. They were college buddies and the seed of this project started small. They at first only envisioned 100 sketchbooks would ever be submitted. Over time they had to adjust as the numbers escalated. There are 10,000 sketchbooks now being housed at Full Sail Live. It would be impossible to view every sketchbook even if you spent all three days checking out books as fast as you could view them. The sheer volume of art is staggering. Once again the power of the Internet is making art available to the masses. You have to experience the Sketchbook Project to believe it. It is open today (7/30) and Sunday (7/31) from Noon to 5pm. Don’t miss it! Listen to what others had to say…

“This event was incredible!! If you missed it today, check out Sketchbook Project this weekend while you can!!
– Tracy Burke

“The Sketchbook Project was one of the best shows I’ve ever been to for art! International artists and their sketchbooks and the excitement of being able to share it with everyone!”
– Maisy May Marrs

“Just got back from the 2011 Sketchbook project at Full Sail. It was awesome, so many books to look at. If you have a chance to go and check it this weekend Sat and Sun. 12-5pm. Check out Thomas Thorspecken, Peter Soutullo, Maisy Marrs and some other Florida Natives books while you are there. This is taking place here in Orlando, is free and its at Full Sail Live behind the Mickey D’s on 436 and University.”
– Chris Tobar