2nd Annual Boat Parade

Posted on by Thor

I went to Without A Paddle Cafe, (1000 Miami Springs Dr, Longwood, FL 32779) for the second annual Boat Parade on the Wekiva River. Parking on site was packed, so I drove a block away to Publix and parked there. There was snow being blown from the rooftop of the cafe. It melted on my sleeve just like real snow but then we re no flakes. They were more like lumps and I suspect they were soap suds. I made sure my computer brief case was closed up so the suds couldn’t damage my digital sketchpad.  All the wooden dock side chairs were taken so I found an empty spot between camping chairs and picnic blankets.

The first board spread down the river with Christmas lights ablaze, and the driver held up an air horn and blasted the crowd. Every one stood up, so I finished the sketch while standing. Small boats followed in succession up the river. One had a large round nose on the bow and antlers. It was clearly Rudolph. An other board had Christmas light lined butterfly wings which animated when a pulley and rope was pulled. The winner for the evening was a small boat decorated to look like a steam train engine. The most popular decorating ate rice was tree branches, which when wrapped in lights look like a deer antlers. On the opposite shore lights outlined Christmas Tree shapes. Spotlights illuminated the dark woods. At the corner of the cafe stood a totem that looked to me like a tall sea creature with large black eyes. On closer inspection,  I discovered that it was actually lashed together canoes. The black eyes were spot lights. I preferred to imagine it being an exotic squid shaped creature.

Inside the cafe, I noticed Beth Black performing on violin. There was a large area covered in snow, or more likely crushed ice. And kids were having a snowball fight with the slushy mess. I picked some up just to feel the cold. Stilt walking angels had white Christmas lights to outline their wings. Mr. and Mrs. Claus were on a boat with lame Christmas lights that blinked of mire often than they were on. That didn’t dampen the crowds enthusiasm as they shouted and waved to him.

Wekiva Paintout

Posted on by Thor

On March 5th, I went to the the 7th Annual Wekiva Paintout at Wekiva Landing (1014 Miami Springs Blvd. Longwood, Fl). The  paintout is a week long Plein Air painting event with artists from across the country participating. I’m not really a Plein Air painter, I was just there to draw. I walked the property searching for artists at work. I was tempted by a woman painting next to some bright green canoes but to stay in the shade, I would have to sketch her from a distance.

As artists finish their paintings, they hang them in a tent next to the docks. Larry Moore, one of my favorite local artists had one painting on display. One woman did small paintings of turtles on logs. She must go out in a canoe to get such intimate scenes.  Now that I think about it, turtles must make good models since they seldom move. I however was hunting for the elusive artist which also stays quit still when painting.

At the corner of the parking area where a stream runs into the Wekiva River, Charles Dickson was painting alongside Cynthia Edmonds. They have been painting in the Wekiva Paintout since its inception. They didn’t mind my sitting down to watch them work. Charles was working on a tiny little canvas observing the tree and river. Cynthia’s canvas was a bit larger with vibrant colors. They both lamented the fact that small paintings take just as much time as large paintings.

As the sun slipped towards the horizon, no-see-ums began coming out in small clouds and nipping at my arms. Darn bugs, this is one reason I’m seldom found painting outdoors in Florida. I lost my shade and was blinded by the white sketchbook page. Cynthia saw my situation and offered me her umbrella. We attached it to a green metal hand cart that Charles had used to move his paint supplies. It worked like a charm. It was fun working besides other artists, joking and telling stories. I should look into attending the paintout next year.

Wekiva Photo Shoot

Posted on by Thor

Mary agreed to pose for a photo shoot to raise awareness about breast cancer. The catch was that she would heroically have to expose her breasts. Mary and Joseph (her ex husband) agreed I could come along to sketch. The photographer, Angela Marrocco, told us to meet her where they rent canoes on the Wekiva river. I arrived first and sat back on a bench to watch a few tourists relaxing near the river drinking beers and soaking up the sun. It was a beautiful day. Joe and Mary arrived and we discussed the logistics. Since there would be four of us, we would need two canoes. The women would go in one canoe and the men in the other. Once Angela arrived, she quickly rented her canoe and she and Mary headed down to the docks.

I used the digital device on the bar to try and rent the second canoe but got lost in the multiple forms. When asked to sign my name, I did it at first with a real pen before realizing I needed to use a stylus. By the time Joe and I got to the dock, the women were already paddling down river. Joe had never been in a canoe before. We jumped in and started paddling but we discovered we were still tied to the dock. Before long, we were working as a team picking up speed.

I had only seen two canoes in the time I spent waiting for folks to arrive. When the photographer found a cove where she could shoot Mary in the canoe, there were suddenly a dozen canoes crowded in the narrow river. I tried to get close to a tree that was overhanging the river. I figured if we anchored to that, I might be able to sketch the women in the other canoe. As I struggled with branches, I saw the photographer shoot several shots of Mary who had slipped her dress top down to her waist. Dang, I didn’t even get the sketchbook out yet! When Joe and I were finally secured against the tree, the women paddled back out into the river looking for another photogenic spot. I sighed and we followed.

For the next shot we all got out on dry land. There was an old worn out boardwalk set up in case of floods. Mary picked some ferns from the base of a thick tree trunk and used them to hide her face for the photo. She was a bit self conscious since she was visible to anyone paddling by in a canoe. The photographer worked quickly. I sketched as fast as I could. The photos were shot and my sketch was barely blocked in. For once I would have to finish the sketch in the studio.

Joe and I struggled to help the women launch their canoe. On the trip back, Mary was surprised by a branch and she fell back in her canoe with a thud. I’m amazed neither canoe capsized with all the activity.