DEAR SUN SPOTS: I would like to know where I can buy a picture like the one I am sending you. A phone number or address or website would really help.

I love your column and read it every day. Thanks for your help. — Dinah Brown, Buckfield

ANSWER: The photo Dinah sent Sun Spots is an optical illusion photo, one of those where you think you’re looking at one thing but actually looking at another. In this case, a scene of snow-covered rocks turns into seven paint horses.

Sun Spots had no luck tracking this down, so she turned to her friend and Sun Journal colleague, artist Susan Broadbent (susanbroadbent.com), who came through with the following:

“The artist is Bev Doolittle. Her site is www.bevdoolittle.net, and she has prints and originals for sale. This is one in a series called “Pintos,” and they all look pretty similar.

“According to a site that sells her work, 1,000 were made in 1979 and by 1989 they were selling for as much as $10,000.

“Here’s a link to that seller, http://bnr-art.com/doolitt/pintos.htm and phone number. 800-255-6498. They may have more info if your reader is really interested in an original.

“You can also find prints and posters of her pinto series on eBay starting at $71 (or best offer) plus $15 shipping up to around $850.

“She’s very popular — there are lots of places to purchase online, but I can’t find any local retailer.”

DEAR SUN SPOTS: In response to the person asking for information regarding rental property on a monthly basis on the west coast of Florida. One contact is Janice Heath, Stringer Management, telephone number 941-922-4959, Sarasota. Hope it helps. — B. P. via email

DEAR SUN SPOTS: Many people ask about proper disposal of household hazardous waste. AVCOG has announced the opening of the Environmental Depot, located at the Lewiston Solid Waste Facility at 424 River Road, on Saturday, May 5. It will be open from 8 a.m. to noon the first and third Saturdays through November, except for three-day holiday weekends.

Hazardous substances such as oil-based paints, pesticides and old gasoline can cause significant environmental, health and safety problems if not properly disposed or even if left around the house. This is one of few places in the state where residents can safely get rid of them.

The facility accepts residents from Lewiston, Auburn and surrounding towns as well as participating municipalities throughout Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties at no charge.

Residents from other communities can bring waste to the Depot at a cost of $28 per five gallons.

For a list of participating communities or for more information, please visit our website at www.avcog.org (under “Municipal Services”) or call 783-9186.

AVCOG, which runs the facility in conjunction with EPI, a licensed hazardous waste hauler, also organizes one-day collections at a number of towns throughout the region.

The next three will be held in Mexico and Andover on June 9, and Norway-Paris on Aug. 4. More are planned for the fall. Again, for more information, please visit our website or call for more information. — Sue Martin, AVCOG, SMartin@avcog.org

This column is for you, our readers. It is for your questions and comments. There are only two rules: You must write to the column and sign your name (we won’t use it if you ask us not to). Please include your phone number. Letters will not be returned or answered by mail, and telephone calls will not be accepted. Your letters will appear as quickly as space allows. Address them to Sun Spots, P.O. Box 4400, Lewiston, ME 04243-4400. Inquiries can also be emailed to sunspots@sunjournal.com.

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