The Orlando Weekly Best of Orlando Party.

Posted on by Thor

This year I was nominated as the Best Artist of Orlando. Andrew Spear won first place, and Boy Kong took second place. They both certainly deserve the recognition. I came in third place but just being nominated meant I could sketch the Orlando Weekly Best of Party at The Beacham (46 N Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801). The party of the year is a celebration for winners of Orlando’s
most prestigious awards, Orlando Weekly’s Best of Orlando. It’s a free
party for 2000 taste maker VIP’s: Best of Orlando Winners, Orlando Weekly
clients, select readers, artists, politicians and media.
This is always a blowout event that gets super crowded. Pam Schwartz and I arrived somewhat early and as I sketched the venue filled up to capacity. Only when people left, would more people be allowed to enter.

There were two entrances to the event, a “Winners” entrance at The Beacham, and a general admission entrance at 64 North. A series of bars were interconnected, including The Social, Aero, and The Patio. Different things were happening at all the bars. Lasers and spotlights created a two point perspective grid over the crowd. I sketched the grid and then took it back out feeling it hid too much of the crowd detail. When the live performance started confetti was shot over the crowd. I like to watch the hectic action at the two island bars as the bartenders are swamped by orders for free drinks. Working digitally meant I could catch the amazing lighting of the scene.

With the sketch done, we agreed that we had seen enough. We didn’t venture into the other crowded bars.

The Best of Orlando Party.

Posted on by Thor

Every year, The Orlando Weekly has its readers vote on the Best of Orlando. The Best of issue is a great way to scan the best restaurants, bars, shows, and all other venues. It is a great resource that helps me decide where to sketch. All of the 2015 winners were invited to The Beacham (46 N Orange Ave, Orlando, Florida). This is the biggest, bad ass, invitation-only party of the year. I didn’t win an award in 2015, but I pulled strings to get in to document the party. I immediately wanted to get up above the crush of the crowd. There was a bouncer at the staircase that wanted a password, so I searched for an Orlando Weekly staffer to get the needed word. I met friends on the ground floor, but the music was so loud that we couldn’t talk.

The two bars downstairs were constantly packed. I admired the bar staff that had to work at lightning speed to keep up with the demand. Obsessionally friends would stop to say hello. Some were Facebook friends I had never met in person. An artist, is far more approachable than a photographer. Photographers have more fun getting people to pose. Some people are just curious. It is always rewarding when people know what it is that I am doing. It makes my life as an artist so much easier. The music pulsed an the disco ball twirled. Besides the Beacham, four other clubs were tied into the party, including, The Social, Aero, Olde 64, and The Patio.

Since I didn’t have an award to pick up, I didn’t stay long after the sketch was done. It felt good to unwind walking around Lake Eola after all the noise of the party. All the activity inspires quick decisions and thus a rougher sketch. But I also love the calm of being alone and enjoying quiet scenery. I got to experience both in one night.

The Blend takes over City Arts Factory

Posted on by Thor

On May 8th. I went to City Arts Factory to experience The Blend. It was a pop up shop experience that featured local fashion Designers, Painters, Artist, Musicians, Singers and hip hop Lyricist, Producers, and the Orlando media in one creative environment. I focused my attention on the D) who kept the beats coming. Across from me there was free cup cake samples. in a note room, Rihanna, sang a couple of songs. No she wasn’t “the” Rihanna, but she could carry tune. She confided that she should probably change her name.

On the walls were black and White photos the documented the history of hip hop music. Some folks took selfies in front of photos of famous of photos of famous hip hop artists. I did a quick walk around to see the art on the walls. Nothing really stopped me in my tracks.  The Blend is a great idea if you want to mingle and meet some of Orlando’s creatives. I hope this event keeps growing and gains momentum

Today, Saturday October 17th, The Blend Orlando Presents ‘4OXO‘. Aero and The Patio, will host the ultimate relationship building phenomenon from 4pm – 10pm. The attendees will gain knowledge and have access to network in a blended environment with the creative elite in the Orlando. The 6 hour experience will host 2 performance rooms, a fashion pop up shop, live paintings, interviews, Art Auction, Dancers and more. The focus is to create a cultural experience while continuing the growth of instilling the importance of these various platforms in our youth.