Blue Box Zombies.

Posted on March 26, 2017February 7, 2022 by Thor

Downtown Orlando has 27 blue boxes painted on sidewalks which are the only places where begging or panhandling is allowed. The blue boxes can only be occupied during day light hours. They tend to be at intersections where there is very little foot traffic. I have been documenting each of these blue boxes by sketching Orlando Performers using them as a stage. Some musicians who busk, or perform outside have been told that they can only perform in a blue box.

I am big fan of “The Walking Dead”. I have documented zombie walks on International drive and started to think, that zombies would be a perfect fit for a blue box.

Denna Beena, who helps at the annual Spooky Empire Zombie walks offered to gather some zombies for a blue box. This blue box is across from the new Amway Center.

The skull zombie holding the brains sign is actually a professional who works on International Drive. Zombies gathered gradually as the sketch progressed. Some were fresh, without much rotten flesh but others were rip, with loose flaps of flesh and plenty of dirt. One had a tin can for collecting donations. Several cars honked their approval but no coins dropped into the can. A car full of tourists stopped and shot some photos out their car window. They got a taste of a typical downtown Orlando scene.

There were yellow construction posts with yellow and white ribbons between them. The zombies presses up against the ribbons but didn’t leave the box. One ribbon snapped and we put it back in place once the sketch was done. One zombie had a bum leg and a very distinctive limp. Deena is the zombie with the bright pink hair. There were gallons of blood just in case a zombie wasn’t bloody enough. If there were zombies in every blue box in Orlando, then perhaps people would become aware of what they are, why they are there and how ridiculous they make our city seem.

Spooky Empire Vendor Set Up

Posted on November 5, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

Set up for Vendor at Spooky Empire began at 6pm on October 24th at the Double Tree Hotel right across Kirkman Drive from Universal Studios. Vendors cars and vans were parked in front of the hotel as they unloaded. Shane and Heather Herbert Malesky of Chronic Damage Art were there setting up. Heather had kindly invited me to stop by and document the show as it took form in the convention hall. Tattoos and brightly colored hair circulated the hall.

The vendor to the left in my sketch was the first to be completely set up. A table cost $300 for an artist to rent for the weekend. Shane got 2 tables and he set up his own electricity using a marine battery since hotel electric would cost an extra $100 for the weekend. His exhibit utilized a metal grid which he and Heather attached a Chronic Damage banner. It would have towered high above all the other signage but unfortunately it broke apart as they tried to scoot the structure up against the wall. When all his paintings were in place and the lights went on, Shane’s paintings created an impressive display. During the show, Heather looked quite demonic as one of Shane’s paintings.

Tommy Castillo was hanging demonic looking super hero’s and Mark Hadley was hanging paintings on coffin shaped canvases. A machine gun was moved to the top of a bookcase. It looked heavy, I do believe it was the real thing but don’t know if it was for sale or just for display. Every possible horror themed painting was on display. There was a demonic rabbit whose bubbling guts flowed out of it’s open wounds. There was Freddie, Elvira and multiple skeletal creatures. Local artist Morgan Wilson actually found someone who had one of her paintings tattooed on her leg.

Exhibiting would be a costly risk for any artist, but as the saying goes, you have to spend money to make money. I didn’t spend as much time as I would have likes at the convention, it was without a doubt a sketching landmine since zombies and cosplay characters were everywhere.

Zombie March

Posted on October 31, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

The Zombie March happens every year as part of Spooky Empire’s Ultimate Horror Weekend. This year the convention of horror was being held at the DoubleTree By Hilton at Universal (5780 Major Blvd. Orlando, FL). This is right across the street from Universal Studios which is perfect if people wanted to check out Halloween Horror Nights at Universal.

The Zombie March was scheduled for 4pm on Friday October 25th at Hooters which is about a quarter mile north.of the Double Tree on Kirkman. I arrived about an hour early and zombies were milling around in the parking lot. Two zombies stood curb side moaning and flailing at passing buses. It was hot in the sun although temperatures are just starting to dip in Orlando. Make up artists were set up on the Porch of Hooters transforming people into zombies.

I sat at a table with a sheriff whose facial skin had been ripped off leaving red bloody pulp in its place. We talked for a bit. He has been coming to Spooky Empire for the past four years and he has seen the convention grow exponentially. He said that the money spent on alcohol probably has kept the convention growing. Attendees can rub shoulders with stars of horror. For instance he bragged that he got to chat with Shannen Doherty one year at poolside. He told me that the make up artist at the far end of the porch was doing the most detailed work, so I thanked him and moved closer to sketch the artist at work.

He was busy adding bruising to the cleavage of a woman who had on a Wonder Woman T-shirt. He had her tilt her head back and then poured blood down her cheeks and neck. Her skin was chalky white and there was a bite wound on her forehead and breast. Zombies don’t understand social boundaries when it comes to feeding. Jason stood rock still watching the make up artist work. Talk powder was added to her hair so she looked like she just rose from the grave. Wonder Woman put on her red cape and vogued for photographers along with her friend who were all zombie super heroes.

I was still sketching as the make up artist packed away his supplies. I should have come earlier to get several sketches. Zombies got riled up at the sound of a chain saw and they all began to shuffle down Kirkman towards the hotel. Several make up artists remained on the porch painting Day of the Dead ornate flowery skull make up onto the faces of Hooters waitresses. When they all were painted, they posed for photos, being sure to lean forward to showcase their exposed v-necked supple slopes.

Weekend Top 6 Picks

Posted on October 25, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

Saturday October 26, 2013

10am to 6pm Central Florida Veg Fest 2013. The event is free! Parking for attendees is $5 per vehicle at the west side of Festival Park. From N. Primrose Drive, head east on E. Livingston Street to the parking entrance at the midpoint of the park on the right. Please carpool or ride your bike to the free bike valet off Festival Way. Orlando Festival Park near downtown Orlando. The event will include healthy living and eco-friendly exhibitors, speakers, and presentations; non-profits; fun and games for kids; dog and cat adoptions; restaurant booths; food preparation demonstrations, and live music and entertainment. Central Florida Veg Fest will draw both committed vegetarians and those who want to learn more about how to protect our health, the planet, and its inhabitants. You can promote your business or group to thousands of people who want to learn more about vegetarianism and the varied products and services that support a veg-friendly and an eco-friendly way of life. All money raised will be used for local vegetarian education and outreach.

11am to 8pm. Spooky Empire. The Double Tree By Hilton at Universal (5780 Major Blvd. Orlando, FL). One day tickets are $45 at the door, or $65 at the door for a weekend pass. Spooky Empire has quickly become one of the most respected horror event
promotions companies in the United States, bringing to life two of the
most popular horror conventions in the nation, with fans attending from
all over the world.

9pm to 2am. The Biggest Halloween Party of the Year Returns! Free. Put on your dancing shoes and do the Monster Mash for a night of dancing, drinks and fun at Eden Bar. We will have horror films on the big screen outside, a DJ spinning all night long, specialty Halloween cocktails and jello shots, and delicious treats like hot dogs, loaded tots and dirty chips. Throughout the night, secret judges will be roaming the party for the best dressed gal or ghoul. Winners will be announced at midnight and prizes will be given to the winners (1st, 2nd, 3rd). During the party, there will be a midnight screening inside the theater of EVIL DEAD II. Tickets for EVIL DEAD II are $10 for general admission, $8 Students/Seniors/Military and $7.50 for Members of the Enzian Film Society.

Sunday October 27, 2013

10am to noon. Super Joy Riders. Free. Eastern entrance of the Lake Eola Farmers’ Market. Participants dress as superheroes and ride en masse around the city as they check off their scavenger hunt-like list of Do Gooder Duties; collecting litter, helping senior citizens cross the road, returning shopping carts, basically performing small acts of kindness for an hour and a half of hilarity and love. You + Superhero Costume + Bike = Best Sunday Ever

11am Maitland Symphony Orchestra. Free. Maitland Presbyterian Church (341 US Highway 17-92 Maitland FL).

1pm to 3pm Irish Music. Free, just order a beer. Olivia’s in Eustice (108 N. Bay Street Eustice FL). http://www.oliviascoffeehouse.com/

Sugar Skull Decorating Workshop

Posted on October 17, 2013February 7, 2022 by Thor

Carolina Suarez-Garcia held a Sugar Skull Decorating Workshop in CityArts Factory (29 S. Orange Ave, Orlando FL). The dozen or so attendees learned how to make sugar skulls using sugar and then how to decorate the skulls using colored icings. Kattya Graham performed traditional songs on guitar as everyone worked on their skulls.

All the skulls decorated All were eligible to be exhibited in the 4th Annual Dia de los Muertos and Monster Factory Exhibit on October 17th. Carolina explained that sugar Skulls are decorated in a relatives memory. The relatives name is often written on the back of the skull. It is believed that the gates of heaven are opened at
midnight on October 31, and the spirits of all deceased
children (angelitos) are allowed to reunite with their families
for 24 hours. On November 2, the spirits of the adults
come down to enjoy the festivities that are prepared for them.

In most villages, beautiful altars (ofrendas) are made
in each home. They are decorated with candles, buckets of wild marigolds mounds of fruit, peanuts, plates of turkey mole,
stacks of tortillas and big Day-of-the-Dead breads called pan de muerto. The altar needs to have lots of food, bottles of soda,
hot cocoa and water for the weary spirits. The living feast on the alter at the end of the evening.

Sugar art was brought to the New World by Italian missionaries in the
17th century. The first Church mention of sugar art was from Palermo at
Easter time when little sugar lambs and angels were made to adorn the
side altars in the Catholic Church.

MayHem!

Posted on June 21, 2012February 7, 2022 by Thor

Denne Beena tipped me off that zombies were going to be marching, well limping, down International Drive as part of Spooky Empire’s MayHem Show held At Wyndham Orlando Resort on May 25th through 27th. Zombies were going to gather at Pizzeria Uno at three in the afternoon. When I drove into the Uno parking lot, there wasn’t a zombie in sight. I almost left thinking I got the day wrong but then decided I might as well get a slice since I was there. I went inside and found myself surrounded by zombies.

Make up artists were hard at work turning civilians into zombies. Air brushes were used to make the skin look sick and pasty. Eye sockets were darkened and open wounds sculpted to a festering perfection. I can’t quite figure out why so many women wanted to look battered and beaten with makeup accentuating their cleavage. I bravely didn’t avert my eyes. I had to get the facts, just the facts ma’am.

It was boiling hot outside. There wasn’t a shady spot in sight from which I could sketch the gathering army of the undead. I stood in the shade of the Pizzeria and sketched the zombie hunting superhero next to me. There were zombie clowns, some sheriffs and intestines and body parts hanging at uncomfortable angles. I couldn’t sketch it all. Someone shouted out, “Five minutes till we march!” I’m always rushing against time. A guttural murmur rushed through the crowd. It was far too hot for a zombie march if you ask me. Dead flesh baked in the Florida sun and bloody make up oozed with sweat. Pale flesh began to bake red.

Next to me a bicycle was covered with colorful parrots. The owner would get the birds to perch on a zombie for a photo and a fee. A cockatoo preened a love bird. They didn’t resemble the undead in any way. Finally the hot crowd of zombies began their march down International Drive towards the Wyndham hotel. With two sketches done, I decided to head home. Traffic came to a stand still on International Drive as tourists gawked at the crowd of zombies moaning and shuffling down the sidewalk. Another typical day in Orlando.