2D Animation

There is a certain nostalgia seeing a new group of students each month in the 2DA Full Sail classroom. By the end of the first day it is possible to sense which students have the drive to excel. Most of my time is spend helping students navigate how to use the computer software to shoot the drawings they produce at their animation desks. For some students there is a legitimate glee that comes from seeing their drawings move for the first time.

Larry Lauria does a good job of sharing his enthusiasm for the medium. Each lunch break he shows academy award winning animated shorts, to give the students an idea of what can be achieved with a pencil, plenty of paper and imagination. On the first day, students realize the amount of work needed to create just one second of animation. They create a one second animated morph, having one object transform into another.

The students are issued plastic portfolio cases that come packed with the basic supplies needed to create hand drawn animation. They get red, blue and black Prismacolor pencils, an eraser, sharpener, a peg strip and a flip book.  The 150 page flip book is the most creative assignment the students get. They can create any type of animated scene that they like. Some students plan a whole story while others simply play with shapes and forms.

There are several animation projects in each of the ten classes each month. Some students finish with ease while others struggle to keep up. I’m always trying to encourage students to make passable animation
better or more entertaining. This is the hardest thing to pass on, the
fire in the belly, an undeniable need to create. Some sleep walk through
life trying to just get by. Some discover this drive early while others
will find it later in life. Jobs might come and go, but a life fueled with creative ambition will always be full filling.

La Mia Danza

After sketching a rehearsal at The Venue, I decided to stay and sketch La Mia Danza. This improvisational dance performance featured Michelina Wingerter along with live music by Tacatantán Record’s Abdias Ernesto Garcia. Various lamps were set up on stage. Michelina wished she had a lounge chair so the set would feel like the comfy intimate room she improve dances in at home. Helen, the tech said there was a lounge chair up in the tech booth. The trouble was the only way up there was via a wooden ladder. Several techs and dancers gathered around the ladder. The chair was huge. As several people lowered it from above, the people below reached up. I got up and went over just in case it toppled and more hands were needed.

With the chair onstage, Michelina immediately did a headstand on it. She walked on it’s arms and found creative ways to slither out of it. She loved the chair because it was so stable. She could do anything on it and it wouldn’t topple over. There was a full house for the performance. Abdias began playing his mix of music. Michelina’s performance began as she sat still in the chair. Her movement gained momentum as she danced on stage. She turned lights on or off as needed.

At times she jumped off the stage moving into the audience. She even sat in the front row for a moment to catch her breath. She moved with wild abandon. Movements became more angular and angry. She began to shout as she danced. She looked at me and shouted, “You want to draw me? Why?!”  She eventually removed her top with a flourish and black pasties covered her nipples. It was hard not to watch those twin black holes as they moved on the universe of the stage. She later put on a loose flannel shirt that flowed around her petite frame as she danced. She danced on the razor’s edge shouting in anger and rage. The loud brash performance expressed existential doubts while hinting that the Phoenix could still rise from the ashes.

At the end, Michelina sat center stage completely spent and in tears. The whole audience stood and the applause was thunderous. Michelina bowed with tears still falling. Abdias joined her on stage and they both raised their hands to the tech’s upstairs. Blue Star addressed the audience, inviting them to get their party on after that one of a kind performance.

DMV

My licence was more than 15 years old. The plastic laminate had curled up at the corners giving it a frayed look. In the photo I still had a full head of hair. Each year the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), sent me a sticker to put on the back of the card. That thick layer of stickers had slid like a tectonic plate in the Florida humidity. At airports the Homeland Security guards would have to call over a subordinate, they had never seen anything like it. A parking guard at Universal literally refused to let me park. Even a bouncer at a bar would raise an eyebrow. Well, I needed a new card which meant I would have to make the dreaded trip to no man’s land, the DMV.

The letter said I’d need a birth certificate or passport. I rummaged for my passport and bought it with me. I went to the downtown office. The first thing you do is pick a number from a dispenser. I was number F91. What does the F stand for? I’m f*cked. Several hours later, I was finishing up my sketch and they had called 90. I packed away my sketchbook and got our my passport and old license.

Finally, my number was called. The woman behind the counter let out a gasp when I handed over my old license. She had never seen anything like it. She asked for proof that I had been born and I gave her the passport. Then she said she needed a proof of residence, a 1099, WD40, no wait that is a household oil… Well whatever it was, I didn’t have it. I would have to come back. Noooooo!!!!

Later that week I found the needed forms. I considered bringing the whole filing cabinet just in case. Two good old boys in the back of the waiting area were talking about pick up trucks and fathers who were in jail. God there are a lot of custom license plates. After my second eternity of waiting I finally did get a new license. Since then not a single person has asked to see the darn thing. I’m considering pushing the pedal to the floor through some speed traps so I can hand it over to an officer. Hell must be a DMV waiting area.

Weekend Top Six Picks

Saturday June 28th 2013

Noon – 3pm FREE  The Imprint show at The Gallery at Avalon Island Artist talks. The Gallery at Avalon Island (39 S. Magnolia Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32801). This is the second series of talks by the artists for the Imprint show. Starting at noon we have five of the nine artists discussing their art, Emilie Finney, Martha Lent, Trish Bambace (aka Patricia Lois Nuss), Britty Metty (aka Brittany Metz) and Lesley Silvia will be talking about their process.

9:45pm – 11:45pm FREE Gene Snowden and The JC Jumpers with Special Guests!! The Peacock Room (1321 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, Florida). Its time to put on your jookin shoes! Come out and dance like its 1949.. A time when 4 out of 5 doctors preferred Marlboros and Booze was a food group. When the folks rocked and huckle bucked to Blues that was shakin, jumpin, wailin, shuckin, jivin, swingin,gruntin and all the other “ins” we can muster. Your presence is wanted for another throw back throw down , in this, the second edition of the Jumpers Boom diddy Boom at The Peacock room! your dollars and time are precious so with a few guests in the mix maybe we can get it right this time baby. So make sure you put on your best drinking outfit and drop by for one and a we’ll provide the rug… Feel free to cut it the hell up! woooo!

7pm – Midnight If you choose art and dance: $40 in advance $50 Day of Event  “Hammers & Lambs” From The Minds Of Patrick Fatica and Blue Star.With
ticket in hand, the night will begin at Lake Ivanhoe’s newest
establishment The Hammered Lamb. Buffet style dinner and drinks will be
served while previewing Fatica’s newest creations. Fatica took the bar’s
name and used it as the influence for this newest series. He said, “The
name ‘Hammers and Lambs’ created an instant mythology. This is the
closest thing I’ve come to a concept album.”
After dinner, be
whisked away by O-Cart to Lake Ivanhoe’s newest performing arts space –
The Venue. Blue has used Fatica’s work and created her newest Award
Winning VarieTEASE show around it. The After Party and art show follows
with both Blue and Fatica in attendance.

After party 10pm -midnight FREE at Hammered Lamb (1235 N. Orange Ave. Orlando FL).

Sunday June 29th 2013 

3pm – 7pm $5 Red Bull BC One Returns to Find Best Individual B-Boy on the Planet. Full Sail Live (141 University Park DR, Winter Park, FL).  WHAT:Top Florida b-boys will compete in the Red Bull BC One Cypher Orlando hosted by MC Supernatural at Full Sail Live, the university’s state-of-the-art performance venue located on the campus of Full Sail University.

Since its inception in 2004, Red Bull BC One has become the leading competition in the world of b-boying, consistently attracting the best individual breakers in the world. Originally designed as an invitation-only event, the series has now opened to give any b-boy the chance to compete through a multi layered global qualification phase.

The Red Bull BC One Cypher Orlando is one of 50 local qualification events that are being hosted in the U.S. and around the globe in countries such as Algeria, Bolivia, Egypt, Italy, Mexico, the Netherlands, Russia and Taiwan.  The winner of the Orlando cypher will move on to compete against the best b-boys in the U.S. during the Red Bull BC One National Qualifier held Aug. 17 in Houston, Texas. The dancer who earns the national championship title in Houston will step onto the world stage to compete against the best of the best at the Red Bull BC One World Finals, hosted in South Korea.

Follow their journey and learn more at www.redbullbcone.com
WHO:   Sixteen b-boys from Florida

6pm – 8pm FREE SHUT YOUR FACE! Poetry Slam by Curtis Meyer! La Casa De La Paellas (10414 E Colonial Dr Orl FL 32817). 
The only current ongoing slam in Orlando officially certified by Poetry Slam Incorporated, IE. Send a team to Nats as well as poets to The Individual World Poetry Slam & Women of The World Poetry Slam! $50 to the winner! If you’ve never seen or been in a slam before, it’s definitely worth checking out!
INFO: curtisxmeyer@hotmail.com
www.casadelaspaellas.com

9pm – 11pm FREE: “Comedy Open Mic” Austin’s Coffee (929 W Fairbanks Ave Winter Park, FL 32789). Free comedy show! Come out & laugh, or give it a try yourself.

Wine Women & Shoes

Wine Women and Shoes held at Sea World‘s Ports of Call on May 18th, raised money to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida which is a private, nonprofit organization that collects and distributes donated food to more than 500 nonprofit partner agencies in six Central Florida counties: Brevard, Lake, Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Volusia.

When Terry and I arrived at Ports of Call, we first had our photo taken. The photographer remembered that I had sketched Wine Women and Shoes last year and she later took several shots of me at work. Maria Diestro lead Terry and I inside a bit early so I could get a jump on my sketch. I immediately focused my attention on these couches bathed in magenta light. No one was seated yet but I figured women wearing high heels would definitely want to sit and rest.

Terry sampled the food and wine while I sketched. She sat on the couch and I caught her fingerirg her iPhone. The only other men in the room were waiters holding silver platters with high heel shoes on them. There were vendors everywhere and a percentage of any sales went to Second Harvest. For $50 you could buy a key to a closet door. Inside that closed was merchandise valued at over $6,000.

Wendy Wallenberg and Coralie Claeysen-Gleyson, the director at Jai Gallery, joked around with Terry for a while.  This was my first time meeting Coralie and I was so pleased that she knew about my sketch-a-Day project. Wendy was wearing an industrial pair of high heels that seemed to catch every woman’s eye. There was a competition for the woman wearing the most fabulous shoes and I heard Wendy won. Terry lamented that she didn’t wear her Eiffel tower themed high heels. With my sketch done, I had time to nibble one pastry before the food was carted away.

Chris Belt

Christopher Belt, the creator of the Accidental Music Festival, performed on classical guitar, with Nathan Selikoff showing his artwork on April 21st at the Timucua White House (2000 South Summerlin Avenue, Orlando FL). It was a very crowded concert, but I managed to find a front row seat. Prior to Christopher taking the stage, Benoit Glazer’s daughter performed on violin along with a first chair violinist whose name I didn’t catch. They performed one piece, so I knew that my time was limited to sketch them.

A large flat screen TV was set up behind the stage. As Chris performed, Nathan Selikoff sat with his hands suspended over a laptop. Nathan interacted with and manipulated an abstract pulsating form on the screen with the movement of his hands using a new motion capture device that was reminiscent of user interfaces as used in Science Fiction films like the Minority Report or Iron Man.

On piece Chris performed was by composer J.S. Adams who was in the audience. The piece was written for guitar and tape. Much of the music had a new age flair. Much of the music was so quiet and intimate that I could hear people breathing beside me. It was a pleasant way to sketch away a Sunday afternoon.

Plein Air Paint Day with Josette Urso

The Maitland Art and History Center‘s new Artist-In-Residence Josette Urso, from Brooklyn New York, began her
residency on April 28. Her residency continued through June 2. The
program honors the legacy of founder J. André Smith, and the 75th
anniversary of the Research Studio’s (now the Art and History
Museums of Maitland) first Bok Fellow. This is the first formal,
nationally competitive Residency program at the Art and History Center since
Smith’s fellowship program, which was funded by Mary Curtis Bok from
1938 through 1957. During her tenure, Urso will work
in her studio and paint plein air, affording visitors an opportunity to
see her create throughout campus.

On Saturday, May 11th, from 10 AM to 1 PM, Josette Urso held an official Plein Air Paint Day at the Maitland Art Center (231 W Packwood Ave, Maitland, FL). Painters from around Central Florida were encouraged to come and create alongside Urso. She showed us the tools and techniques she uses to create her widely-collected paintings. This program was FREE and the public was encouraged to attend.

Josette showed us a color wheel and explained how a limited palette could unify a painting. She had some empty slide casings which she said could help a beginner to see a composition. She said in a workshop she taught in Taiwan, several students taped the slide casings to the brim of their baseball caps.  She explained the importance of thumbnail drawings and she demonstrated a thumbnail sketch using as few lines as possible. We then went off to do our own thumbnails. I excitedly sketched the fifteen or so students around me as they sketched architectural details or foliage. I knew artist Chere Force and Lynn Whipple. I checked out other artists progress and then returned to my own work.

The next step took me outside my comfort zone. We had to pick a thumbnail sketch, and work it  up as a larger painting without using line. My primary issue seemed to be that my brush was to small to put down satisfying bold blocks of color. I found that my two color studies were done before the class was over so I couldn’t resist putting in a few sensual lines afterwards. It was a fun workshop and I’m thinking I might work faster with my daily sketches by focusing on large washes first. The issue I’ve had is that the pens I use die the second they touch water. If I can find a good fountain pen, that might solve that problem. An even bolder decision would be to give up the pen all together. Time and daily experimentation will tell.

Snap!

Snap!  2013 “Motion to Light” is a 4-day photography celebration showcasing the work of renowned international and national photographers, as well as emerging talent. It explores movement, lighting, hope and features works of photographers from France, Thailand, Czech Republic, Japan, Poland, Canada, Germany plus New York, Los Angeles, Portland, etc…

Snap! Orlando is a large scale international photography event with exhibits, projections and installations, salon talks, guest speakers lectures, workshops, competitions and community engagement. Hosted in an empty warehouse in the Ivanhoe District of Orlando (1427-A Alden Rd, Orlando Fl 32803), Snap! included large scale exhibits and projections; receptions and special events; guest speakers lectures; student and community competitions, youth programs, and much more.

On May 3rd, Terry and I went to the opening night in the 13,000 square foot warehouse. This was Snaps 4th annual exhibition in Orlando. I quickly decided to sketch from a second floor walkway while Terry explored the exhibit. Before I finished the sketch, she decided she had seen enough and she went home.

As I sketched, I noticed actress and photographer, Mikki Scanlon Kriekard, shooting video. She joined me on the walkway and started shooting video of me as I sketched. The funny thing is, as soon as she aimed the camera at me, another photographer moved in and started taking shots just to be sure he wasn’t missing anything. Others took in the scene with their cell phones. Mikki followed me around like a paparazzi as I walked around to check out the show when my sketch was done. I got to meet her husband Bryan Kriekard and I asked him if she always had her camera on. We laughed when he insisted there were times when he insisted it be turned off. I’m used to being the one scrutinizing people. It was interesting having the tables turned. I liked the attention but didn’t know how to act “natural”. Regardless, Mikki caught an interesting slice of life with her video.

My favorite photos were by Nicolas Senegas. The large scale photo showed a nude woman partly submerged in water. It reminded me of Victorian images of the redheaded Ophelia floating in a river. Another cool series of photos showed sand being thrown onto muscular nude bodies. The photographer was Oliver Valsecchi. All I could think was that he should meet Jessica Mariko of Drip!

Mystery Sketch Theater

Mystery Sketch Theater happens on the first Wednesday of every month. They now have a new home at a warehouse in Winter Park (784 Cherry St, Winter Park, FL).  I had a devil of a time finding the warehouse the first time and happened to use it’s parking lot s a place to turn around to head the other way down Cherry street. I finally saw the number above the front entry. The back loading bay door was open and that was where artists were gathered. There was no air conditioning but it had just rained and the open warehouse bay door gave us a decent cross breeze.

Moriah Beagel, the model was dressed in a pink fairy outfit. I sketched her before she took he first 30 second pose and then I sketched the artists. In all there were 10 to 15 artists. Artists in the back row probable didn’t get a clear view of Moriah’s feet. I sat on my artists stool in the loading dock doorway. The warehouse had a strange display of a rain barrel with mannequin legs inside and a torso above.

 Moriah was born And educated in Kansas, she hails from Colorado where she perfected the art of coffee. She have been posing for artists for ten years. She is currently writing short stories, posing and working as a barrista. She enjoys costume concepts that show dichotomy. Opposites drawn together. In this costume set went  for the elements of life and death. Fairies with opposite intentions. Towards the end of the modeling session Moriah changed into a much darker costume and held the skull capped walking stick. Pink and green changed to purple and black.

There was the usual themed drawing competition but I seldom compete since I am always still working on my sketch. They usually have some cool art book up for grabs. I use the breaks to keep pushing color on the page. I like the new warehouse setting, it is much grittier and industrial than working at A Comic Shop. The cost for the model was $5 and Kristen Pauline and Adrienne Frankenfield always have some treat to eat and drink. The next Mystery Sketch Theater should be July 3, 2013 from 8pm to 10:30pm, mark you calendar.

Hammers and Lambs

On June 12, I went to The Venue, (511 Virginia Drive Orlando, FL) to watch the set up for an improvisational dance performance by called “La Mia Danza“. This was going to be a one time collaboration of improvised Dance and Music starring the captivating
dancer Michelina Wingerter along with live music by Tacatantán Record’s
Abdias Ernesto Garcia.

When I arrived, Abdias greeted me. A rehearsal was still in progress for another show opening the following week. Dancer Michelina was in this production as well, along with Megan Bueto, Tymisha Harris and Blue Star. Called “Hammers and Lambs” this show is produced by Blue Star and is inspired by the paintings of Patrick Fatica. The dance number I saw rehearsed involved plenty of hammers, or croquet mallets.

Hammers and Lambs will begin each evening at The Hammered Lamb (1235 N. Orange Ave.) with a preview of Patric’s newest paintings. There will be complimentary wine and food. Then patrons will be whisked to The Venue by O-cart for the dance performance inspired by Patrick’s work. I love the idea of one art form inspiring another art form.

There are four more performances. The evening begins at 7pm sharp.

June 22, 24, 28, 29

Tickets are $40 in advance or $50 on the day of the show. Tickets are available at the Hammered Lamb or The Venue, or call (407) 412-6895

NBA Finals

Terry and I like to go out to watch the NBA Finals games. We decided to go to Bar Louie’s (7335 West Sand Lake Road). When we walked in, we were literally the only patrons in the place. Terry picked a high top table with a view of the bank of flat screen TV’s above the bar. I ordered a macaroni and cheese dish that was really good. There were five cheeses and a light dusting of crunchies on top. Once I finished eating, I sipped my Blue Moon and sketched the bar hoping someone would enter to populate the scene. 

The pre-game show had closed captions scrawling across the top of the screen. Terry asked the bartender to turn them off. He fumbled with multiple remote controls with no luck. He gave up. Terry spotted one TV on the opposite side of the bar without the captions so she moved. When I finished my sketch I joined her. The Miami Heat won this game 103 to 84. It was a blow out. Yet the next game the San Antonio Spurs blew the Heat out of the water. The Spurs had Danny Green who kept sinking 3 point baskets from downtown. It seemed like he couldn’t miss.

On my sketch I wrote, NBA Playoffs, even though it was the finals. That shows you how much I know about basketball. 

Weekend Top 6 Pick Picks 

Saturday June 22, 2013

1pm to 8pm. FREE Art on Tap. Taps from Scratch (1809 E winter park rd, Orlando, Florida 32803) is proud to present our First Annual “Art on Tap”. They are dedicated to their core Mission of presenting the Finest crafted Beer, Cider and Alcoholic Soda to the community on a platform that encompasses the Arts. Artist are starting to take notice of this free hub and gathering place where you can bring in a piece to sell at will, hang it, sell it and receive 100% of sale proceeds, or bring an easel and paint and as member enjoy as much beer as they want, anytime they want, for just $5.00. Musicians come in and out for nightly open mic, new partnerships and bands beginning to emerge. Art on Tap will be followed by the traditional Saturday Open Mic.

7:30pm to 11pm. FREE Contra Dancing.  Secret Lake Park, (200 N Triplet Lake Drive, Casselberry, FL). All Ages Welcome – Instruction Provided at 7:30 pm. No partners necessary.

Contra dance is …

    Easier than walking

    More exercise than jogging

    More fun than you can imagine

http://orlandocontradance.org/schedule.shtml

8pm to midnight. FREE Orlando Hardcore Reunion Punk Show. The Peacock Room (1321 North Mills Avenue, Orlando, Florida 32803).  Hardcore Punk Rock Like You Remember It!!!!!

Rat Cafeteria, Declared Ungovernable and Dissent Featuring Wade Anthony



Sunday June 23, 2013

11am to 2pm. FREE: Parrot Adventures Club Meeting. Albert Park (2400 Edgewater Dr. College Park) Orlando FL 32804). Parrot Adventures is the fastest growing bird club in Central FL. Come explore the parrot community with us & give your bird a taste of the great outdoors! www.facebook.com/pages/Parrot-Adventures-Orlando/229311423757202

www.parrotadventures.com

Noon to 6pm. FREE: The Town of Oakland’s 7th Annual TRIPLE “A” FESTIVAL. Speer Park (331 N Tubb St Oakland, FL 34760). HapCO Music Foundation presents this festival in the town of Oakland. Tripple A encourages artistic expression among youth and celebrates the work of local artists. The festival historically honors Juneteenth, now celebrated throughout the United States with picnics and festivals. We present artistry as exhibited in those who contribute to African-American culture. The festival is organized in collaboration with Orange and Seminole Counties to increase exposure and encourage community participation in the arts.

7:30pm to 9:30pm. FREE: Concert! Clarinet/Cello Duo! The White House, (2000 South Summerlin Ave. Orlando FL 32806). Christine Barron Plays with cellist Justice Milsom. All genres, including Kletzmer. Artist: Elizabeth St-Hilaire-Nelson. www.mapquest.com/maps?address=2000+S+Summerlin+Ave&city=Orlando&state=FL&zipcode=32806

www.timucua.com/calendar.html

http://christinebarron.weebly.com

www.nelsoncreative.com/gallery