Nestled in the northwestern corner of North Carolina, the mountainous Ashe County boasts the most picturesque landscapes that painters and other artists could hope to find. This spirit of natural artistry runs deep through the county's culture--towns offer murals, street art, galleries and institutions like the Florence Thomas Art School. Even in West Jefferson, a town in which getting lost is impossible, there is an "art district." Truly an art destination, Ashe County is home to hundreds...

The mountains of Ashe County, in North Carolina's northwest corner, support an antediluvian mixed hardwood forest, rooted in nutrient-rich soil and watered by 40 to 60 inches of annual rainfall. From the highest peaks--approaching a mile above sea level--to the lowest valleys, through which flows one of the most ancient river systems in the world, trees carpet much of the county's 406 square miles.Species with nicknames like wahoo, goosefoot, ironwood, shadblow, bom-a-gilly and buc...

With step-by-step projects that are designed to help sharpen artists' skills and heighten their confidence, this book demonstrates simple techniques for rendering the textures of everyday objects, such as metal, wood, plastic, hair, fur, feathers, and more. This 64-page book simplifies the process with easy-to-understand instructions and comprehensive illustrations.

An extensive, easy-to-read guide to growing healthy orchids again and again, perfect for beginners, as well as experts looking for new tricks.Orchids are more popular than ever but can be intimidating in their exotic beauty. In this start-to-finish guide, acclaimed orchid expert Bruce Rogers demystifies the growing process so you can watch your plants thrive and bloom year after year. The Orchid Whisperer outlines:· How to buy orchids: What to look...

This book makes watercolour painting simple, straightforward and fun: 43 mini-demonstrations teach a wide range of useful watercolour techniques. 13 step-by-step demonstrations show these techniques applied to landscapes, flowers and other subjects. Page after page of proven approaches for painting clouds, trees, rocks, grass, snow, reflections and more. These are tried-and-true methods that Zoltan perfected over 65 years of painting. Now you can put them to work in your paintings immediat...

Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life.

These exclusive guides were created by the editors of Paper Crafts just for you—to help you create your best cards and gifts ever! Each one is loaded with valuable ideas, tips, and shortcuts to help you design beautiful projects.

Donna's unique One-Stroke method - which lets you blend, shade and highlight all in one stroke - makes painting quick and easy. And there's just no better way to learn this technique than by Donna's example.In this book, Donna leads you through all the strokes you need - shell strokes, C-strokes and more - to create leaves, roses, fruit, ribbons and many other beautiful subjects. You'll also find 12 step-by-step projects that show how Donna's One-Stroke method can be used to decora...

Since 1973, Storey's Country Wisdom Bulletins have offered practical, hands-on instructions designed to help readers master dozens of country living skills quickly and easily. There are now more than 170 titles in this series, and their remarkable popularity reflects the common desire of country and city dwellers alike to cultivate personal independence in everyday life.

Easy-to-follow, step-by-step demonstrations in acrylic, watercolor and oilInside, you'll learn how to create realistic wildlife paintings, step by step, mastering dozens of specific wildlife textures, including:• Fur of a bobcat, American bison, snow leopard cub and wolf• Feathers of a wood duck, white-throated sparrow and northern shoveler• Scales of a trout and sunfish• Ears of a cottontail rabbit, white-tailed deer and red fox...

Enter the mind of the creator of the gardens at Brandywine Cottage and find inspiration for your next gardening project with this guide that includes “breathtaking” photos of the Cottage (Library Journal).Brandywine Cottage is David Culp's beloved two-acre Pennsylvania garden where he mastered the design technique of layering—interplanting many different species in the same area so that as one plant passes its peak, another takes over. The result is a nons...

Create a tranquil nighttime retreat with a moon garden.Transform your garden into a serene haven that comes alive under the moonlight. This beginner-friendly booklet offers simple steps to design a night-blooming garden that enchants with luminous flowers and soothing fragrances after dusk.Inside, you'll learn how to:Select pale-colored and fragrant plants that thrive in low lightDesign layouts that maximize moonlight re...