Hello all, I've been away and then busy. Still following this thread, and finding your thoughts very interesting. Thanks Joy and John for sharing your experience and support. (An illustrator in a zoo - now there's a choice job.) 'An honest opinion with guidelines for improvement' are worth their weight in gold. You're right of course Roland, the critical thinker is the one that makes us improve our work. I will try to think about that consciously next time I draw. Maybe even write it down and stick the paper on the wall above my desk. Thought some of you might be interested to read this sample of assignments from the Society of Botanical Artists distance learning diploma program. The file is big, but I could cut and paste it here or you can email for it: pam@soc-botanical-artists.org ASSIGNMENT 1 DRAWING 10 marks To be undertaken during June and July 2005 Due date: July 30th 2005 Line drawing in pencil or ink. Single flower study with one leaf in pencil or ink, hatched or stippled. Both subjects of your choice. Complete study in pencil showing tone and texture. Subject of your choice. Suggested exercises. ASSIGNMENT 2 COLOURED PENCIL (or second monochrome drawing) 10 marks To be undertaken during August and September 2005 Due date: September 30th 2005 Three exercises covering shading, layering and blending. Using the knowledge gained produce a small study of flowers and foliage, not smaller than A4. Also one flower, one leaf and a small piece of fruit such as a plum, apricot, cherry or a few grapes. Students not wishing to use coloured pencils should produce a second monochrome drawing plus black and white exercises as above.

Hi Brenda :-) I'm glad you have some time to look through all your wedding photos and enjoy them now. So great that there are these uplifting and happy times along the way, isn't it? Your daughter's dress was so beautiful! I love that photo of the six of you. Such happy looking newlyweds! And the photo right under it, they look relaxed and content. My favorite has to be the two of DD in her socks. Sad and happy at the same time, that they are all grown up. Congratulations!

I am sick! I'm losing several beautiful Bracken's Brown Beauties. NOT yellow leaves, we're talking dark brown and drooping leave. Trees are near easement. Either the county (which is always so very helpful!!!!:( :( :( when it comes to killing plants, sprayed a strong herbiside on the easement to knock down tall weeds, or Scott's lawn service killed them with herbiside. Magnolias along border of easement. I'm betting it was county!!! Past experience. I planted Carolina jasmine to help control erosion and create beauty on the culvert, put out 75 plants. Lot of work, no small expense. Some fool from the county hit it with kill-all herbicide. Yes, high grass should have been mowed. But I can't do it because the sides of the ditch / easement are so steep and difficult to mow. I've almost turned the lawn mower over on myself several times trying to mow it. My husband doesn't have any problem mowing it, but absolutely won't get around to doing it! Hence the county herbicide spraying. And now killing I don't know how many of my beautiful magnolias. I'm real angry. Having a terrible day. Really. I loved /babies all those trees! Nothing but a crime to kill them!

What a surprise to see Italian Towers. Glad you like it. I just looked up The Magnolia Collection at Amazon and they have several used books available, one of which is for sale for a penny (plus $3.99 shipping! I get a kick out of buying used books for a penny at Amazon). I bought that book back in '85 while living in Raleigh. It's very Southern & has nice recipes in it. Hey Ginger - thanks for the compliment. Your recipes are always the best! ann