Going back to the original post, the framing worked because it exploited an opportunity. It was an existing opportunity in that case, but opportunity can be created as well. Sometimes a frame exists with nothing in it which is an opportunity to expoit the frame with a created subject. This is a great thing to build an awareness of in order to recognize opportunities to exploit in a design. The subject of the OP is the type of thing done in school in order to focus on a particular aspect of design like a laser in order to build awareness and a deeper understanding of it (in this case - framing) to draw from in the future. The same thing is done with all kinds of other "design tools" such as repetition, perspectives, ... My caution is to remember that one "design tool" with its volume turned up does not always drown out the sound of all the other "tools" that exist whether or not we chose to address them. It (framing) is one more thing to be aware of rather than a "must have" part of a landscape. Some designers enjoy basing their designs on emphasis of use of one or more of theses "design tools" which can be really nice, but certainly not the only way to go. There used to be a guy (Gary Allen) on HGTV that was very focused on continuous curves and layered plantings repeating those curves - some love him, others hate him (it does not float my boat, but it keeps design simple and easier for his audience to make a successful design - a very good thing). However, if you look closely at the landscapes that he worked within on the show, you'd see that the context of those landscapes were very simple - no knock on him, it is the typical situation in his area (flat, house, road, sidewalk, and about nothing else). There is no competing "noise" so to speak. I would not go out of my way to use framing, but would rather exploit an existing opportunity to do so when I think it will enhance the project. However, I almost always do some form of framing on the street side of a house because I like to center the gravity of the view toward the front entrance of the house. That can a nudging by adding more mass to a planting or a true framing with the use of a tree. Usually, most of the bones of the frame exists and I'm only adding a little to it to sure it up or re-center it. I also use framing to make you look away from something such as a tool shed recently. Your brain, maybe it is a primeval preparation for fleeing predators, tends to flow like a breeze by following the path of least resistance. If you put a tree in the middle of the view it splits it. If you put two trees, it flows between them. Because of this, you can push attention toward or away from things and re-center it wherever you want (as long as you can overcome competing factors. Just don't get too focused on the power of one "design tool". If you do, you'll fail to see what competing factors are doing to work against it. You'll see the result of the framing, but will everyone else? Again going back to the original post. Would Joe Student walking past those doors and windows recognize the framed view or was it only after having it pointed out to them did they see "the brilliance". Landscape designers usually leave behind a work that is left for people to experience on their own without the benefit of being told what to look at. Even if they never realize the "framing" or other tools that you use, in the end you are looking to create an experience that matches their activities whether or not they directly notice what is supporting that. Success is usually subtle.

I was wondering if your internships offer any kind of stipend.

I agree with Lorna, looking for a spot where commercial agriculture is viable is a good way to go. In NM and AZ, this would be limited to major river valleys or areas irrigated from the Colorado River. A warning about Seeds of Change: I have been to their farm, which is a beautiful and progressive place, and I love the company, but the seeds they offer ARE NOT necessarily grown in NM. In fact, most are from growers in the Pacific Northwest and California. Their farm is simply too small to do much beyond field trials. So it's not the place to look for regionally adapted varieties for the Southwest. For that, you're better off looking into Plants of the Southwest or Native Seeds/SEARCH. If I could move anywhere in NM and AZ for gardening specifically, I would probably go to Southeastern Arizona. It's mild, and mountainous enough to be fairly wet, at least for the SW. Very subtropical feeling, especially during the monsoon in July and August. The area around Patagonia, AZ, is what I'm familiar with (which happens to be the location of the Native Seeds/SEARCH research farm). Anyway, have fun in your search...

I found a beautiful arched porch that I thought I'd shop in for metromom. It's a nice option too. I really love that art, and I wish I could get a little more time to draw. I know that once I start this school junk, the drawing will just cease to exist for a number of years ...and the photoshopping. My love of money, however, will see me through these tough times!! : D The Swedish look really made me think "Mary Hartman". I think I'll shop her into one of your mock-ups. LOL