Suncoast Parrot Sanctuary makes the news

It's always wonderful to be able to call attention to your friends and that's made easier when the media finds them. I've had the pleasure of visiting Captain Tut Barret of the Suncoast Parrot Sanctuary in the past for his photographic needs. The Sanctuary acts as a shelter and rehabilitation clinic for displaced and injured parrots. These are among my favorite creatures to capture on my digital camera as they are amazingly expressive, vibrant and always very curious of technology.

Missing owl ID-ed?

On my latest hike for new photos I visited McGough Nature Center in Largo ... An exceptional location, with trails that snake through lush high pine and palm hammocks on their way to a private boardwalk with an amazing view of the inter coastal waterway. A year ago this was the site of an owl heist. During the dark of night, an intruder attempted to steal or set free a fledgling great horned owl who was being cared for by the nature center. "J.R. the owl" had fallen from his nest and was abandoned by his mother. It was assumed that he had no knowledge of how to fend for himself in the wild, hence, when he was released by this uninformed intruder it was assumed that his would be a short life. On my hike, I came across an older gentleman who was birdwatching along the trails and he guided me to a mature great horned owl perching at the top of a pine tree. He was awestruck when I pointed out in my camera's viewfinder what appears to be a band around the owl's leg and he immediately ran to get the park ranger. This small band may be the identifier to prove this owl is the missing J.R. I have sent my photographs to the Nature Center and I'm currently waiting for the results of their analysis.


These photographs remain unedited but seem to show a band around the owl's leg.

Thanks for reading!

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

Discover the Island Day

Presented by the Egmont Key Alliance, Discover the Island Beach Day and Auction will be held on November 12th and the 13th. Guests may enjoy a scenic beach getaway on picturesque Egmont Key. Shuttle boats will ferry you from Fort Desoto State Park in South Saint Petersburg to the Key for a day of nature tours, relaxation, historic re-enactments, kids pirate games,and a benefit auction featuring pieces donated by local artists. For ticket information please visit www.egmontkey.info. The Alliance has recently published the below flyer containing more information.

Thanks for reading!

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

The 2012 Largo Library Art Hop

Coming on March 24th 2012, the 4^th Annual Largo Library Art Hop will showcase the art and wares of Pinellas artists, local businesses, and the youth artists of the area from 6  to 11 PM. 

What is it?

Art Hop is a catered, one-night art show, held at Largo Public Library and presented by the Greater Largo Library Foundation, which features wonderful visual art, sculpture, music and culinary art, delicious foods, entertainment and dancing.

How does it work?

The art exhibit showcases the talent and wears of local artists at the Library and permits the free sale of art with no commission. Each artist purchases a table or space in the library, in advance, and may set up all the art he or she can safely fit. The library closes early on the designated day and artists participating are encouraged (but not obligated) to donate a artwork of their choice to the charity auction, held in a library meeting room. All proceeds from the auction benefit educational programs offered by the Foundation. Meanwhile, away from the Library, local restaurants and businesses also participating in the event welcome guests ferried to their doorstep via free PSTA transportation.

Where is it?

Largo Public Library is located in Largo Central Park at 120 central Park Drive, Largo, FL  33771.

What does it cost to attend and view the art?

The ticket price is $30 per person in advance, purchase and pick up tickets at Largo Library before the night of March 24th 2012, at the door they are slightly more.

What does it cost to participate and sell my art?

·         For artists and vendors, the cost per table is $50, you must submit your entree form and payment by December 1st, 2011 if you wish to participate. Request these forms by emailing officegllf@yahoo.com, subject line "Art Hop"

·         Artists are encouraged to donate a piece of art to the charity auction to be held at the Library, but this is not an obligation. If you would like to donate to the charity auction your auction auction forms must be submitted by December 1st, 2011 and your auctionable artwork must be delivered by February 15th 2012. Request these forms by emailing officegllf@yahoo.com, subject line "Art Hop"

·         Artists who would like to have their work advertised in the Art Hop brochure may do so for a nominal fee, ad sizes range from business-card-size to half-page to full-page ads. To request an ad inquire via email at officegllf@yahoo.com, subject line "Art Hop"

Where can I get more information

Visit the website of the Greater Largo Library Foundation at http://www.greaterlargolibraryfoundation.org/ or call 727-586-7398.

Room to Grow

Until the economy takes a more upward turn the majority of my artwork and modifications to the website will continue to be made from my workshop out of the home office. Space becoming somewhat limited lately with the amount of projects I have underway and the stock necessary to keep art shows going, it's become necessary to locate storage space elsewhere. I've been on tours of storage facilities and warehouses in the area. I know the combination of services I need, but locating them at the right price was the tricky part. Photography and art on paper needs a low-humidity, cool-environment and I need room to grow with the exciting opportunities coming out of T.E.S.A. and P.P.A.S. I've decided on Metro Storage because they offer just what I'm looking for at a reasonable price and best of all they are close enough to drive to and from in a half hour or less. If you would like to get more information on their offers for your own needs go to www.metrostorage.com

Thanks for reading

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

A Special Thank you to CCC and Gainor Roberts

Recently we were honored with the invitation to present a number of framed works at Tampa's Carrollwood Cultural Center. This TESA-sponsored art exhibit in the theater and lofts of a spacious theater, ran a full month from August 1st to August 31st. As we safely tuck away the artwork for the next exhibit to come we would like to express our deepest gratitude to the people who made this exhibit a marvelous success. Carrollwood Cultural Center is bustling with activity and offerings to the public. On the day TESA began setting-up and preparing to hang framed art, we enjoyed a short rehearsal by a drama club preparing for a Doctor Seuss play. The spacious theater lent well to the acoustics of the clarinet and piano duet on the night of our Artist's Reception. Even as the works came off the walls on the 31st, we were greeted by the melody of a man rehearsing a jazzy saxophone melody upstairs. Thank you to TESA for arranging this event and thank you to Gainor Roberts especially, who coordinated the hanging of the art. The pieces were displayed expertly with complementing colors and themes side by side and ample care and regard was shown to each piece of art.

Again, Thank you all and we look forward to the next time our art may be displayed upon CCC walls.

Lyle Polyak and family.

Photo Opp at The Suncoast Parrot Sanctuary

I had the distinct pleasure to visit the Pinellas Suncoast Parrot Sanctuary this weekend and meet its founder and President Captain “Tut” Barrett. The Sanctuary takes in Parrots who are injured or handicapped, who have outlived their keepers and other exotic birds from families that can no longer afford to keep them. Captain Tut does an excellent job nursing these beautiful birds back to health, training them and providing for them. The birds in turn provide affection, education and entertainment for PARC, Disney, local parades and other events. Captain Barrett has become an authority on Parrot Health and well-being with local veterinary clinics and it is always a pleasure to photograph animals who approach my camera out of personal curiosity. My crew and I wish him the best and hope we may be invited back should he require photography for advertisement in the future. Expect to see a variety of color parrot photos added to the Take Flight Gallery in weeks to come.

Please visit the Suncoast Parrot Sanctuary Website at http://www.suncoastparrotsanctuary.org/ and consider donating to aid its efforts.

"Hey, whatcha got there?"

Captain Tut with Cockatoos.

Parrots like their toys.

Captain Tut with a Macaw.

An African Gray.

These guys love attention.

"Ah! Flash!"

Thanks for Reading.

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