Art Shows and Rainy Days

Vivian Greene, the wife of author, Graham Greene, once said, “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass; it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” Among inspirational quotes, it has always been a favorite of mine, not merely for its intrinsic value, but also because it suits my somewhat eccentric appreciation for those rare stormy days in our Sunshine State. Judge as you will, but I hold that there is something dear about those rainy days that gathers us together, under one roof, for pleasant conversation and companionship, however brief it may be in our busy lives. Therefore my enjoyment of this past weekend is without question.

The Pinellas Park Art Society had it’s Artist’s Reception at the Stirling Gallery in Dunedin this weekend. The event was marked by thunder and sporadic deluge, but enjoyed by all present… and what a turn-out we had! The halls were, at times, packed shoulder-to-shoulder with friends and guests enjoying and discussing the assorted art work. The storms gathered us together for a second helping of the delicious hors d’ oeuvres and drinks, and we pleasantly discussed future events at Park Station, from the cozy comfort of the lobby sofa and the kitchen table. Our own work was joined by a display from the Miniaturists Society, which was a fine introduction to The Art Society’s September, miniature-themed, exhibit at Park Station.

Thank you to all who made our Stirling Show a success. Please enjoy the photos!

L. Polyak

(To see more art go to www.themindscapeartfoundry.com or www.artoflylepolyak.com)

Commissions and Art Galleries, Huzzah!

And here we are again! I'm taking a brief pause prior to work to update my readers on recent events, while I await the toaster at my kitchen table. Wonderful how effort pays off... Recently my hobby and my job have intermingled with funding and enjoyment being had on both fronts.

At this time I have exhibits running at Suntan Art Center, Stirling Studios Art Gallery, Pinellas Park City Hall, and the Park Station Gallery. I'm preparing for the annual vacation to St. Augustine this June, to satisfy my cravings as a History-buff, and , at the same time, a good number of my sketches and oil pencil portraiture will soon be on display at Carrollwood Cultural Center in June.

Networking does pay off! Through my friend, fellow artist, Doug Land, I received a commission from a local writer, I don't think he will mind me advertising his name... The cover art for David Watts next literary work will be taken from a 18x24 oil pencil sketch, inspired by an excerpt from his tale.  I truly did have a great deal of fun expressing myself in this piece. I can't reveal the title or the artwork yet, but it will be here as soon as the book is published. Whoo! Commissions, gotta love 'em! So I'm adding illustration to my offerings now, and advertising them with my boss's help at FASTSIGNS, where custom jobs are also a specialty.

It does bring a smile to my face as I think back to what I was doing for a living only a year ago. "Winds of change, baby! Winds of change."

Thanks for reading!

Lyle Polyak

(2 C more art go to www.artoflylepolyak.com or www.themindscapeartfoundry.com)

(my favorite spokesperson, showing

off the new sign campaingn.)

(The art reception at Stirling Studios was really packed.)

A wonderful evening in Dunedin.

The Stirling Studio in Dunedin is a cozy gallery built in the attic of a downtown Dunedin boutique. Downstairs are an assortment of arts and crafts shops catering to the daily crowds. Walk around the back to the parking lot and you'll find an elevator to the second floor. Here the doorway opens to a white walled gallery of astonishing oil paintings, acrylics, watercolors and mixed media work. Cast your eyes upward and you'll see the rafters of the building's roof, which gives the place the airy feel of a lodge.

My time in the Sterling Studio thus far has been so nostalgic. It ushers into my mind images of the fourth floor of Benedictine Hall, where my college art classes took place. That area had been repurposed from an old abbey dormitory (yes, for monks) to a welcoming art studio. We students learned and practiced beneath the wooden beams that supported the original metal roof. As you might imagine, as with any historic structure, there is evidence of the old beside the new - a dichotomy that I so enjoy writing about... and though I could go on for hours on that topic (and I have in the past) I will just say that The Sterling Studio has that very same "feeling" - A fanciful place, overflowing with imagination, with welcoming people and beautiful sights. I'll certainly rent a studio here one day when my passion becomes my full-time job.

The Awards ceremony for the latest TESA show took place here on Friday night. The event was publicized magnificently so the turn-out was very impressive. The participating artists and I myself were very pleased to see so many visitors arrive to view our works. I enjoyed strolling the halls with my family and my friends from PPAS and some delicious snacks were offered by the artists in participation. My thanks goes out to all who made this night a success and, to all reading this blog, the work will continue to hang for the remainder of the month.

Please enjoy the photos below and to learn more about TESA, The Exhibiting Society of Artists visit their website - www.arttesa.org

Thanks for reading!

(2 C More art go to www.themindscapeartfoundry.com or www.artoflylepolyak.com) 

Stirling Studio Exhibit

A fine variety of artwork from The Exhibiting Society of Artists is now on display at the Stirling Studios Gallery at 730 Broadway in Dunedin. This free show is open to the public, so readers should definitely take advantage of the opportunity. The studio is in the attic of the art building; visitors should take the elevator to the second floor. The vast space has been wonderfully converted into a spacious art gallery with a number of private studios rented by local painters and crafters. I have visited twice now and both times have had the opportunity to speak with a fellow artist at work. Everyone here is very congenial and open to questions. I myself would truly enjoy renting a studio here for photographic work one day. The gallery is open from 11AM to 5PM during the week and noon to 3PM on Saturdays. There will be a "Meet the Artists" event on Friday, January 13th from 5:30 to 8 PM. I hope to see you there.

Thanks for reading!

(2 C More Art go to www.themindscapeartfoundry.com or www.artoflylepolyak.com)

Next Up...

Greetings to all my readers. A Merry Christmas, a Happy Hanukkah, a joyous Kwanzaa and an Artful New Year to all...

2012 is still a few days off, but already off to a beautiful start. A little lesson for you about life here in the sunshine state - specifically my region of Tampa Bay - our economy is driven by tourism. Coming from a land heralded for its white sand beaches and outlying barrier islands - I myself can attest to the predictable peaks and lapses in activity that come yearly.

From spring to early summer our resorts bustle with activity from the nation's spring-breakers and international guests who fly in from Europe and Australia. This crowd mostly disperses before the summer heat reaches its peak and then in fall and winter the crowds return anew with tourists from the northern states, eager to escape the snow and ice.

From late spring and on through late fall is the typical season of art festivals, galas and exhibits - to market to the tourists and visitors when their numbers peak. Then from Christmas to spring again is that lapse when the best use of an artist's time is to purchase new stock with the profits made earlier.

2012 is off to a refreshingly busy start. There are currently two framed works of mine installed at Ruth Eckerd Hall with my fellow T.E.S.A. Members. Visitors of the theater may browse these works and purchase their favorites while they await the performances. This exhibit has been featured in multiple local newspapers - The Beacon, The Leader and The Bee - and the article is available for you to read on line at...

(http://www.tbnweekly.com/editorial/local_entertainment/arts_museums/content_articles/120611_leart-05.txt?archiveview&print)

...until the link is archived.

Then from the 2nd to the 31st of the New Year, another exhibit will be hosted by T.E.S.A. at the Stirling Studios of Dunedin. This show will feature a new gallery wrap of mine - titled The Macaw. Featuring an inquisitive inhabitant of The Suncoast Parrot Sanctuary - The first of many wildlife portraits that I intend to release in 2012.

And in March of 2012 I shall again participate in that artful night... The Fifth Annual Largo Library Art Hop and Taste Fest. This is one night gala in Largo's Public Library, a spacious, beautiful building, in which local artists, crafters and purveyors of gourmet delights, will cater to the public. A ticket to this exhibition earns visitors free access to view and purchase fine art at the Library, and round trip, on trolleys, to other local businesses for samples of art and gourmet treats. Later that evening visitors may also participate in the silent auction of art and gifts - proceeds benefit the Greater Largo Library Foundation. My piece "Cape of the Twilight" shall be among the auctioned items.

The below articles and invitations have been released by The Greater Largo Library Foundation and T.E.S.A. to advertise these events. I hope to see many of my friends and fellow artists participate and enjoy.

Until my next update, enjoy yourself and be creative. Thanks for reading!

(2 C More art go to www.themindscapeartfoundry.com or www.artoflylepolyak.com)