I was just wondering

Wow, yes...that's it exactly. Cool.

Teri

I am surprised and encouraged by your responses. I’m surprised at the number of you that have not had formal drawing, painting or design training. I have not had any drawing or design training and was feeling that perhaps that was a reason why I’m not a better carver than I am. I can see that I was wrong. Practice, practice, practice appears to be more important than knowing how to draw or paint (I’ve painted my house, but that doesn’t count). There is a lot of talent on this site and those who have already learned from the school of hard knocks can provide very practical help to the rest of us. Thank you to all.

Mr._C,

I seem to be the exception here; Â*when I was very young, we lived out just the other side of the sticks. Â*Reckon I was about five the summer the county doctor came by with his buggy. He examined all of us kids and told my parents that I might be autistic.

Now my parents, an orchard worker and a housewife with sixth-grade educations didn't quite understand what he was saying; so they sent me away to art school. Â*

Like they say, the rest is history.