I am posting a blog that my friend Rick Kilby writes. He features Maitland History and my show(thank you), at the Maitland History Museum, in this entry:
http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/2011/04/made-in-maitland.html
This past Sunday (yesterday, May 1), my son Toby celebrated his first communion.
and Pope John Paul II was beatified!
What a day.
I’ve been so busy working like one of Santa’s elves to get all the paintings done for the “Maitland History Illustrated” show, I didn’t find time to blog. While working on the show paintings I was doing research, making daily doodles, got commissioned to do a mask for a gala event, had two birthdays and Easter.
It’s been hectic to say the least. I’ll start with the mask. I was asked by a member of my doodle group (on Facebook), who just happens to work with an ad agency in Chicago, to create a mask that could be used for promotional materials and be auctioned off at a gala event. After several sketches, and tweeks, this is what the final art looks like:
It’s based on a theme for victorian masquerade masks, and turned out to be a fun project and hopefully a successful one for the agency & the cause.
The first birthday was for my daughter, who turned 14. She loves Edward Scissorhands (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Scissorhands), so that’s who’s hugging her in birthday doodle:
She also got highlights in her hair:
(not fun)
(fun!)
and had a sleepover, another party the next day and presents galore.
My dad had his 29th birthday, and he’s always had a favorite song:
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqvBIR0k1_o)
We celebrated dad’s birthday a few days late (thanks dad), so I could finish preparing for the History show. It turned out to be a wonderful opening, and I truly enjoyed every moment. The biggest surprise of the night, was a lovely, lavish, bouquet of flowers waiting for me at the museum. I was so excited to get such a stunning gift, but what took the cake – the Parker Lumber Parker’s (http://tinyurl.com/3ogn4v5), who spent much time with me, answering questions and being pestered, sent them. I am still over the moon.
This picture doesn’t do them justice.
These two showed up at the show, along with little Toby (not pictured), and lots of other friends and family. I was lucky enough to get some photos from my friend Rick Kilby, who has a wonderful Old Florida Facebook site (http://www.facebook.com/pages/Old-Florida/145618702158761) and a great blog (http://studiohourglass.blogspot.com/)
Rick took this photo of me and my projector screen. The screen is lamenting the killing of birds for the purpose of decorating ladies hats. Images like the one I painted, are one of the reasons the Audubon Center for Birds of Prey was started in Maitland.
That’s Louis Dommerich on my shirt, who with his wife along and other like minded families, helped fund the center.
This is an authentic Maitland chair, as it was found on garbage night in the city of Mailtand. It has had a total overhaul, and is now ready to be seated in, sat upon, set, and stories of history told in it, on it, sitting.
Above, my portrait of Jules André Smith, the founder of the Research Studio (now Maitland Art Center)
When you first walk in, on the left, you see the wall I chalked an illustration of citrus, which had a big part of building Maitland, and there’s the “muskmelons and Mockingbirds” clock, along with some ‘pioneer nuts’, which you can’t see, but they’re buckeyes with pioneer faces painted on them.
Here, some of the pioneers and their stories. There’s more, but I can’t give it all away, or you might not come take a look.
There were lots of doodles and happenings since I’ve written here on the blog, but I won’t bother to post the lot of them. I’ll just end with my Easter doodle, that brought the really busy spring, to an end. It’s starting to feel a lot like summer here.
I LOVE to be busy! I have been, too.
A mask design
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I’ve taken a few days to gather photos of my latest events. The last time I wrote, it was about pARTicipation at the Maitland Art Center. That event continued throughout last week and the grand finale was a Saturday night gala event.
But first, let’s fly over to the Lilly Pad. I was invited by the Downtown Arts District to do some live painting at Lilly Pulitzer in Bloomingdales at the Mall at Millenia.
Here’s some photos from the event:
The Arts District asked me to bring some samples of my work. So I brought a sampling of doodles.
Here, I start the painting. I decided to do something that would fit the setting (match the couch type thinking, I know).
The Lilly event was a fundraising opportunity for the Downtown Arts District. The “DAD” got 10% of sales that day. They did very well. The customers that I met, had all been invited, and they got to meet a Lilly designer:
There’s one of his dresses.
Designer food.
These little chocolate concoctions were ridiculously delicious.
Still painting.
Coming along.
Here, the finished painting, and the designer. He refused to ever really smile for photos. He had a lovely smile. I’m sure he has a good reason(?).
Now, pARTicipation.
One of the big events of the evening, was the opening of the Jules André Smith exhibit, the fella who founded the art center, then the Research Studio.
One of the interesting facts about Mr.Smith, was that he was one of a handful of field illustrators in the war.
We can thank this woman, Mary Curtis Bok, who helped fund the Research Studio. She is part of the Bok Tower family.
Here’s one of André’s pieces, with the only photo of me from the event. This is the only proof I have that I was actually there.
Auction items where on the lawn. The auction ended at 8pm that night. All the auction items were purchased.
There was a ceremony, where the Maitland Art and History Museums received the Mayor’s seal. The museum’s are now official “treasures” of Maitland and the city of Orlando. I think. I just know it was so nice to hear the museums getting appreciated. I also found out that the Maitland Art Center is considered “fantasy architecture”. Who knew?
One of my favorite decorations in the garden. The globes lit up when it got dark.
Here, a shot of the tables. It was packed!
I “hosted” table number 8, and brought little gifts for my “guests”. Everyone got a nun nut, a doodle, a nun sticker and some greeting cards. They were very well received. At the end of the evening, everyone got to choose a doodle stick:
It was a whirlwind day, and full of new acquaintances and art.
I’ll share Facebook doodles in the next installment of my blog.
pARTicipation started last week. On Friday. The Maitland Art Center was beautiful as usual, Friday night was a meet and greet with artists painting and working.
I met lots of nice, and very talented artists. Here’s some photos from the evening:
Here, Steve Pi, (sitting) a very talented and generous artist. You can see his work at his website: Steve Pi: http://www.stevepi.net
Above, Bruce Charlan, a talented sculptor, and all around great guy. Here’s his website: Butch Charlan: http://www.butchcharlan.com
I had fun meeting Edson, here, the back of his head. He did a beautiful sketch at the event. Here’s his site: Edson Campos: http://www.edsoncampos.com
This is Kathleen. She’s working on a rich, buttery still life. Her website: Kathleen Brodeur: http://www.kathleebrodeurfineart.com
The artists closest to me were Que and Cicero. I was immediately taken with each of them, for their personal style and charisma.
Que, shown here on the right, is an elegant, charming artist, who does lovely abstract art and delightful, chunky jewelry. Her site: Querentia (Que) Throm: http://quethrom.com
Here, Cicero caught mid walk,
See what I mean about personal style? Here’s his site: Cicero Greathouse: http://www.cicerogreathouse.com
There are many other artists involved in this wonderful event, but I didn’t meet all that night, as it was a work opportunity, and some were unable to attend.
Here is a shot of the art center:
There was beautiful food:
Encore Catering of Central Florida provided the food. There was more than I’ve posted here, and it was all beautiful and delicious.
Here’s photos of me, taken by the intern photographer, Victor Rollins:
I’m working on a portrait of Jules André Smith, founder of the Research Studio, now the Maitland Art Center.This piece, along with many others, will be in my show at the Maitland History Museum. “Maitland History Illustrated: works by Dawn Schreiner”. That’s the name they’ve given the show. Nice?
I was painting in front of Mr.Smith’s library/dining area. His residence sits behind me. Wonderful setting for his portrait.
I will be painting at Bloomingdales at the Millenia Mall, Saturday, April 2. I’ll be there from 11am to 3ish. I say “3ish” because I will also attend a dinner for pARTicipation that will wrap up the online auction.
Here’s information on the event, that will be a Lily Pulitzer affair:
http://www.orlandoslice.com/profiles/blogs/the-downtown-arts-district
I’ll be on the “Lilly Pad”.
Here, some new Bird Chandelier paintings:
Last Friday (March 25th) was the beginning of pARTicipation (http://maitlandartcenter.com/upcoming-events/170-open-house-winter-2011.html). I, along with a variety of other artists, worked in the garden, and mingled. This Saturday, I will be at Bloomingdales (Millenia) in the morning (http://www.orlandoslice.com/xn/detail/2911752:Event:79795?xg_source=activity) and then, dinner in the garden at Maitland Art Center, to close pARTicipation.
In the meantime, I’m working on a show that will be at the Maitland History Museum, “Maitland History Illustrated: Works by Dawn Schreiner”. So busy.
All the time, I’ve also been working on daily doodles, here’s a sampling;
Tonight, the Maitland Art Center will open its gallery for the beginning of “pARTicipation” . The event is a three week long art show, and places artists with patrons like no other show I’ve experienced. Tonight, the auction begins, which benefits the museums education programs. For $5 you can walk through the gallery, and stroll the gardens, watching artists at work. I will be there from 6 to 9pm, along with many other (really talented) artists. If you happen to be a member of the museum, you can go for free. The dinner, on April 2, requires a ticket, but assures you a seat at any artists table your heart desires, and many other perks. I’ll be working on a painting I’m doing for the show I’ll have at the Maitland History Center, on April 21st.
I’ve been doing some painterly doodles again, instead of the sketchbook, but intend to get back to those sketches.
Here’s what I’ve been up to:
Judy Garland, singing “Forget your troubles, c’mon get happy…”
Houdini had a birthday yesterday (3/24/11), this doodle is painted from a very early photo of the magician.
Last but not least, Elizabeth Taylor. Her last tweet: @DameElizabeth: “Every breath you take today should be with someone else in mind. I love you.”. My mom shared that with me, as she followed her on Twitter. What a lovely way to go.
