this image started out as a mini-challenge(duel) between a friend and me over at cgtalk back in february 2005. the theme was "after the rain". you can find the challenge thread here:
http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?t=205751
after this challenge alot of other mini-challenges popped up. I had a few more goes at it with other opponents/friends. it's a very very good way of boosting your motivation !
huh hum, as a sidenote. I won the challenge becuase my friend is a lazy fart who never finished...... (don't tell him I wrote this if u know who he is.. ;) )