ODD 19 at Wally’s Liquors.

Posted on by Thor

Once a month, I host a free sketch outing called, ODD (Orlando Drink and Draw). The first ODD event of 2017 was held at Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors, (1001 N Mills Ave, Orlando, FL 32803).
Wally’s is a landmark dive bar with a rocking jukebox, serving beer and stiff drinks since 1954. My original goal for ODD was to visit Orlando’s best dive bars. Wally’s definitely is x epitome of a drive bar. 

Upon entering, there is a liquor store to the right with a wide assortment of bottles. Opposite that, two men sat at a table looking at a sports event on the tube. The bar itself is in the back. A U shaped bar fills the tight space. The wallpaper of nude women is the first thing the caught my eyes. I picked a stool at the corner of the bar and ordered a Rolling Rock. Two guys and a gal sat opposite me. Patrons go to Wally’s with one objective, and that is to get drunk. The two guys seemed pretty wasted. The woman, sporting a nose ring and a skull cap fingered her phone and kept her friends amused with the latest Facebook news.  Within minutes of starting the sketch, one of the guys came over to see what I was up to. It turns out he is an artist himself and he spoke for some time about the quick two minute sketches he once did of the patrons at the bar. I overheard some of their conversation which was largely about who had slept with whom and the emotional ramifications. Orlando is a small down, and news travels fast on the streets.

Another bar patron approached me and he said my sketch reminded him of the work of a short little French artist. He got down on his knees to demonstrate the artists height, and I shouted, “Toulouse!” He had seen a movie about Toulouse Lautrec which was made back in the 60s. He said if Toulouse were to enter Wally’s, he would be sketching, just like me. Though my sketch wasn’t finished, he asked if he could share what I was doing. He lifted the sketchbook like a sacred document and shared it with everyone who was in the sketch. A poet entered the bar through the back door. He was asked to chime in on t sketch and he said, “I only can express an opinion about literature, I don’ know much about visual arts.” Then he looked at the sketch and simply shouted “Damn!” He is a man who knows how to use words. The bar maid checked on my progress several times.

Linda Saracino showed up and then Viviana Castro. Viviana could only stay for 20 minutes so she rushed to get a thumbnail sketch done. Then Wendy Wallenberg showed up and she lit up the Internet with a selfie and controversy. Online, Elizabeth Maupin said she had bee warned to never go in the place. She is an artist but I haven’t convinced her to whip out her sketchbook yet. Out in the parking lot Wendy kept yelling at cars that parked to near her Porche. The guys windows were rolled down, so they might have heard her. I was afraid she might start a brawl. 

The night was an adventure. We listened to some good Beetles music on the Jukebox, joked with the regulars and had a couple of beers while sketching. Then Wendy stepped in despite the smoke to make the evening true ODD.

Southern Fried Fun

Posted on by Thor

After sketching several musicians at Will’s Pub, I went outside to sketch. I walked across the street to Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors. Beside the pub, the Psycho City Derby Girls were offering a bikini car wash. As the car was washed by the lovely ladies the driver could get a free beer while they waited. Unfortunately the suds were not flying when I walked by. A woman sat in a dunk tank waiting to drop in the cool water. I finally sat in a parking space behind Wally’s facing the Hula Hoopers. Two women were busy for more than an hour shaking their hips and keeping the hoops in motion. They could raise the hoops up to their chest and neck then settle it down to their hips again. At times children joined in. This physical activity was no match for the games to be found on a smart phone.

One fellow who was about to back his car out of a spot said, “Hey I like your ride, Is that a compact?” “Yes, it saves on gas.” I replied. We were of course talking about my camping stool which was hogging a parking spot. Some folks who had been drinking noticed me working. My sketches really seem to appeal to folks who have a buzz going. The husband of one of the Hula Hoopers thankfully appreciated my sketch. He also loved that I caught his daughter playing video games on her phone. It was getting near the end of the day and the light was golden. A tent was struck down and I packed up my supplies. From here I headed out to the Food Truck Bazaar for dinner.

Southern Fried Sunday

Posted on by Thor

Southern Fried Sunday organized by Jessica Pawli was an all day music festival and more with ticket sales going to benefit the Mustard Seed. It was Jessica’s birthday and she celebrated by giving back to the community. The benefit featured 17 musical acts at 3 venues on Mills Avenue. The Mustard Seed is a furniture and clothing bank that helps rebuild lives of individuals and families who have experienced a tragedy, disaster or homelessness. When I arrived at Mills Avenue I decided I wanted to draw Wally’s Mills Avenue Liquors. Women in bikinis were holding signs that read, “Free beer” and some were hula hooping. There was a long line of black Harley Davidson motorcycles parked in front of the bar. I sat down and the second I opened my sketchbook it started to rain. I rushed up the street to Will’s Pub.

I was issued a tan armband. I walked into the dark room with a stage. People were seated all around the edge of the room and there were no empty sects left so I sat on my camping stool up close to the stage. Bartender Brian Hanson was performing. I didn’t know if he had just started or if he was almost finished so I worked quickly. He closed his eyes lost in the music. His deep raspy voice filled the room. Sure enough he had only one song more to sing. When he got off stage he spoke to the woman seated beside me. Her name was Mech Anism. He didn’t think it was one of his better performances.

“Greenland is Melting” from Gainsville Florida was the next group up. Their lively act had everyone clapping and swaying. The guy on the cello bobbed his head up and down violently, his hair a flowing mad mess.The guitarist and banjo player harmonized the lyrics. I was having so much fun sketching to the music. I could have listened to these guys all day.It was over way too fast.

“Kitchy Kittens Burlesque Dancers” wandered through the crowd asking for donations for Mustard Seed. They looked amazing in their 1940’s Pin Up Girl themed costumes. They were on stage for only a minute so I didn’t catch them in a sketch. I couldn’t stay all day. I had time for one more sketch before meeting my wife Terry, Amanda Chadwick and Matt Simantov at the Food Truck Bazaar.