Pre-Pandemic: The Accidental Historian

Posted on by Thor

The Accidental Historian Exhibition was at the Orange County Regional History Center through January 20, 2020, so the exhibit came down just prior to the start of the pandemic. On January 21, 2020, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed the first case of COVID-19 in the United States in the state of Washington. The patient had recently returned from Wuhan, China.

The exhibit featured people who might be historians without even realizing it. That’s certainly true of many bloggers, urban sketchers, photographers, and more. This engaging exhibition, created at the History Center, was about individuals who are absorbed in documenting the world of today accidentally becoming some of Central Florida’s finest historians for the future. The exhibit offered a glimpse into some of our favorite collections that were created for the now – more than 100 years ago.

The Accidental Historian featured both historic and contemporary work and collections, including drawings by the renowned artist and teacher Ralph Bagley and Urban Sketchers Orlando, poetry by Orlando’s inaugural poet laureate Susan Lilley, audiovisual work by food blogger Ricky Ly, historic images by photographer T.P. Robinson, and more.

This panel discussion featured three contributors to the exhibit. At the podium Catherine Duffy asked each panelist questions in turn.

Photographer J.D. Casto had documented the Pulse Nightclub shooting’s aftermath. His photos capture Orlando’s love and hope following the shooting. One of his photos of an auditorium hung next to a similar photo from one hundred years ago and it was as if time had stood still.

Ricky Ly founded Tasty Chops, a blog for local foodies. The exhibition featured several of his videos of local restaurant owners discussing their offerings.

Robin Katz, is a member of Urban Sketchers Orlando. She uses her sketchbook as a journal to document the Central Florida community. Samples of Robin’s sketches were featured in the exhibit.

 

 

VIP Opening of Accidental Historian

Posted on by Thor

The evening of September 21, 2019 was the VIP reception for Accidental Historian at the Orange County Regional History Center (65 E Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801). This is the first exhibit to feature sketches from the Orlando Urban Sketchers group. 

The premise of the exhibit is that artists,
bloggers, urban sketchers, photographers, and more could be historians without even realizing it. In this exhibition, created patrons, learn how individuals who are
absorbed in documenting the world of today accidentally become some of
Central Florida’s finest historians for the future. You can catch a glimpse into
some of the museum’s favorite collections that were created capturing the moments more
than 100 years ago.

The Accidental Historian features both historic and
contemporary work and collections, including drawings by the renowned
artist and teacher Ralph Bagley, Urban Sketchers Orlando, poetry by
Orlando’s inaugural poet laureate Susan Lilley, audiovisual work by food
blogger Ricky Ly, historic images by photographer T.P. Robinson, and
more.

A pillar of my sketchbooks from eight years of my daily sketching are in a glass case in the center of the room. The corner of the room is designed to look like an open spiral bound sketchbook and reproductions of sketches done by members of Orlando Urban Sketchers are scattered across the spread along with biographies and information about the artists.

I knew going into the reception that I wanted to sketch the huge transparencies that had been printed of a shuttle launch. They were framed in light boxes which made them glow as bright as an actual launch. A wall was dedicated to the people of central Florida over the years and a sketch I did of a flea market blues performer fit in snugly.

This exhibit is on display through January 19, 2020. Be sure to stop by the History Center and check it out.

The Winter Park Sunset “Paint-In”

Posted on by Thor

Winter Park Paint Out artists gathered on the
shore of Lake Mait­land at the Win­ter Park Rac­quet Club (2111 Via Tus­cany, Win­ter Park). There they
cap­tured a beau­ti­ful Florida sun­set, and then they took a break from the
week’s activ­i­ties. The public was invited to watch as these
out­stand­ing artists cre­ated a sun­set mem­ory on can­vas. A cash-only
bar and buf­fet were avail­able to non-members! I love sketching artists at work so I always stop out each year.

This year I was invited to participate as one of the artists in the week long Winter park Paint out so I will be executing sketches every day the event. On Friday April 27th, I will be doing a digital sketch at the  Polasek Museum and projecting the image for people to watch as they mix and mingle. The evening is a Happy Hour and Mixed-Media Sketch Demonstration.

Two local historic studios, the Albin Polasek Museum (633 Osceola Ave, Winter Park, Florida 32789) and the Jack
Kerouac Project, will join forces to present this night of live art.
Local poets and winners of the Winter Park Paint Out’s live poetry
contest on Allpoetry.com
will read their work while artist Thomas Thorspecken, known locally as
Thor from Analog Artist Digital World blog, showcase the art of the
rapid sketch. Plein air requires the ability to adapt and capture the
subject matter quickly while conveying the energy and emotion of the
subject. True to Thor’s digital following, the artist’s sketch and
progress will be projected onto a large screen so viewers can enjoy the
developing picture while they contemplate the diverse poetry selections.
Orlando’s first poet laureate, Susan Lilley, will participate in the
evening’s poetry reading. A wine/beer bar and appetizers will be
available for happy hour beginning at 5 p.m. through 8 p.m. So if you would like to see me do a sketch live or perhaps you just want to heckle me, come on out and grab a few drinks.

This year’s Sunset Paint In is happening on April 25th 2018 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. again at the Winter Park Racquet Club (2111 Vía Tuscany Winter Park, FL 32789.) The event is free but it is suggested that you register in Eventbrite. I will once again be sketching away. I’m not sure if I will do a digital sketch or analog.