Caedes

Artist Spotlight # 29

Submitted by mimi 01/29/08 5:50 AM GMT

I am delighted to announce the next artist to shine in the spotlight. Her username is so short, the search engine doesn't recognize it, but her works of art are long on beauty and many are very easily and quickly recognized.
I present to you JQ aka Jan Please take some time to peruse her gallery amd leave her warm words below.

I am stunned and amazed , flattered and honoured (wow I bet you all didn’t know I knew so many descriptive words, ) I got picked to be artist of the month this month :-)

I had a huge grin when I read the PM from Mimi to say I had got the most nominations this month! So thank you to everyone that voted for me! I have to write this biography, and I’m not the greatest at writing about myself but here goes…! Ooerrr missus!

My real name is Janet, (only called that by my mother these days) , everyone else calls me Jan. I have two kids, Annie is 13 and Alice is 16. They describe me as old and weird :-), a description I don’t mind apart from the old bit! I will be 43 this year, boo hoo.... But they say life begins at 40 and although it’s a couple of years late, I have just qualified as a reflexologist which I love doing. I have worked as a secretary in a podiatary practice for the last (almost) 8 years, so the reflexology thing ties in quite well, I now have my own treatment room at the clinic which I finished a couple of weeks ago. I live with my kids, my akita (Koda) and my partner Richard. I was married for 15 years but… lol… that’s another story. Aside from photography I paint pictures as some of you will know already, I’m not very conventional or girly, I have 8 tattoos, I like Stephen King and I love watching movies and listening to many types of music from heavy rock to psytrance. I can find things to laugh about most days, I like a laugh, once I start I can't stop (it’s a bit like eating chocolate :-) yum!) can’t take anything toooooo seriously you never know what might happen tomorrow.

I bought my first camera when I was 18 and had left home, a Practika MTL5 , (there’s a blast from the past), I updated it to another Practika which I can't remember the name of… and it served me well. I dunno why I got a camera, I just thought I fancied one at the time, but have been hooked ever since, I take photos of everything. Currently I use a Canon EOS 400d, I have 28-55mm Canon lens, a Sigma 600mm mirror lens, sigma 100mm macro lens, Sigma 10-20mm wide angle and a Sigma 70-300mm zoom and of course I have my infamous infra red filter (currently misplaced, oops). I’m not that technical when I take shots, I just find what I’m going to shoot and do it, whether it’s technically perfect or not, I often think my best shots have been the most random , driving around in the car......stoppppppppppp!! I gotta take that shot! I have been a member of this site for a couple of years now, originally under a different name, I uploaded one shot and then forgot my username and password so created another one! (managed to remember the username and password this time) :-). I came across a link to Caedes when I was reading a blog somewhere, I clicked and soon became addicted, I browsed and downloaded for a while before I even dare post a shot or make a comment. I hope my photography has improved a lot since I started posting here, the comments I have received and the photography and art I have seen here have inspired me to try new stuff and expand my shooting and editing skills and the fact that everyone is friendly made such a difference to my confidence. It’s also nice to see other people improving as time goes on and I know a lot of people get a lot out out of this site despite the dreaded C-Index. My favourite photograph of mine is probably (currently) Row, (a random drive round Norfolk one morning to catch the sunrise) which I used as the background for my business cards and literature, looks great on a business card and really stands out and I am also quite fond of my jellyfish shots because I’d wanted to take pictures of them for a while, I find them fascinating.

Inspiration and help has come from all corners of the site, I’m not going to name names, there are far too many people that I admire and who’s work I enjoy (You know who you are)!

I’m really looking forward to the Caedes meeting in April this year, organized by the lovely Nigel, it should be a ball to meet everyone that's going!

Anyway, that’s it, before this turns into a “ novelette” or you all fall asleep :-) grin

Thanks to you lovely lot, for the laughs with Walters and Foofy Fridays and Bobs Benches. You make this a great place to be!

Jan

Comments

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.21citrouilles
01/30/08 11:50 PM GMT
CONGRATS!!!! I'm so glad for you sweetie! You richly deserve this spotlight. As you know, I love your work and find it artistic. Of course you've improved a lot.

Reading your bio, I found that we have similar tastes! I'm not yin in my tastes for music and reading...I'm glad that you're settling happily in your new profession. So, enjoy this moment Jan! Josette :)
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For prints, cards and t-shirts of my paintings and fractals, please go here .
::Hottrockin
01/31/08 12:11 AM GMT
BIG hugs and BIG congrats Jan!! Very fitting tribute to a grrreat artist!!
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Why do the pictures come out square when the lens is round?? Picture Purrrfect .
::m0rnstar
01/31/08 1:16 AM GMT
Jan, I'm so pleased to see you as spotlighted artist of the month! I can't tell you how much of your outstanding art graces my Mac monitors every day! Thank you so much for sharing your talent with us and a big congrats - you sooo deserve it!

~*Mary*~

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Thanks to all the great Caedesians for your help and kind advice. Please visit my Image Gallery
::wheedance
01/31/08 2:07 AM GMT
A big congratulations to you! I always love your photos and it's great to learn a bit more about you here. Your work is inspiring! Hilda
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All of earth is crammed with heaven And every bush aflame with God But only those who see take off their shoes. - Elizabeth Barrett Browning<p> mygallery
::Dunstickin
01/31/08 8:29 AM GMT
.. .. ..!!CONGRATULATIONS JAN!!.. .. ..

I am so very pleased you have been picked for the *Artist of the Month*....

Couldn't have happened to a nicer gal!...even though a 'bit of a rebel'.. ...LOL .. ..

Enjoy the accolades sweetheart!

♥Bob
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* To Believe in myself and have faith in my Photography * OwdBob'sGallery
.gerryp
01/31/08 9:35 AM GMT
Jan...I add my "CONGATULATIONS"...this is well deserved by you!!. You mentioned, as others have mentioned when picked as Artist of Month, how much of a big family we are here at Caedes...the friendships gained here are very sincere and unique...and also as you mentioned has made a lot of people better photographers and astists as you say...I know it has helped me tremedously. Again I am very happy for you ....gerry
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"The more we come in contact with animals, and observe their behaviour, the more we love them, for we see how great is their care for their young." - philosopher Immanuel Kant
::100k_xle
01/31/08 11:50 AM GMT
Hi Jan, I don't have much time for Caedes these days but when I saw you where named Artist of the Month I had to take a few minutes to read your letter of acceptance and say "CONGRATULATIONS", you are most deserving my friend.
My favorite works of yours are the Silhouettes and your Dream State Infrared's.
I appreciate your witty comments and support.
Thanks for being my FRIEND.
May your Success Here and in Life Continue For YEARS TO COME.

E J
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::J_272004
01/31/08 2:20 PM GMT
CONGRATS Jan.. a well deserved win.. I just love your work.. from Macro to Landscape, from animals to glorious sunrise/sunsets all are wonderful to see.. its so hard to pick just one or even two for that matter as each is wonderful in their own way.. So get a drink and some cookies, put your feet up and enjoy your award.. again CONGRATS..
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MY GALLERY ........... "Live one day at a time and make it a masterpiece"
::muggsy
01/31/08 2:42 PM GMT
Landscapes, Wildlife ... and Yes ! ... even raindrops, you do it all. And you do it well. Can't tell you how delighted I am to see you get the recognition you deserve Jan. A BIG CONGRATULATIONS from your friend Muggsy. If I had to select a favorite from your gallery, it would be "Owls" ... a photograph that's truly a "work of art" in this bird lovers eyes. Enjoy your moment in the Sunshine dear woman as I've enjoyed writing and leaving this comment.
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Just an old "Grampa" who still has a Kodak "Box" camera kicking around the attic ... learning and enjoying the wonders of modern digital photography.
::snapdragonk
01/31/08 3:34 PM GMT
Yay, woo hoo, hurrah, and about time too! Well done Jan and absolutely well deserved, your pictures on my desktop bring me beauty on a daily basis and I can't thank you enough for that. Good on 'ya girl, and here's to more where that came from:) xxx Kelcey.
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.Jhihmoac
01/31/08 5:17 PM GMT
Congrats on making the spotlight there, young lady! Thanks for sharing your works with us...
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"Let us forever cherish and hold sacred these moments...for it is our undoing ...should we forget..." -William Shakespeare ... Visit Jhihmoac's Gallery
.ls123
01/31/08 6:40 PM GMT
About time your unique talents were recognised - your beauty shines through in everything you create - really appreciate your fabulous perspective on life - biggest hugs XOX
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"Love does not dominate; it cultivates." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
::Roseman_Stan
01/31/08 6:42 PM GMT
Congratulations! You do some nice work.

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“Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you” - Richard Brinsley Sheridan
::cynlee
01/31/08 9:43 PM GMT
Well, my lady, this is one way to get to know you better. lol I just went through your gallery trying to find my favorite of your posts and it was a most difficult thing to do because they are all just so good, but for starters, these are some of my favs..."Westminster", "Behind the Mask", "Stalking", "Mum...", "Lines", "Nightime in Edinburgh", "Row", "Yellow Fields", "Owls" and, of course, the one that originally drew me to your photography in October '06, "Pulls Ferry by Night". You have a wonderful eye and a wonderful technique that I envy. I wish I knew how you got some of these posts to look so magical and mysterious, but I will just have to keep striving and that is what is so good about having such fine photographers as you to emulate. Congratulations, my dear, for reaching your day in the limelight. It was long in coming, but well deserved. Cindy
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.bean811
01/31/08 10:06 PM GMT
Congrats on a well-deserved accomplishment!! Your gallery is outstanding and encompasses so many different themes and ideas. All I have to say is that you'd better find your IR filter or else!!!
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ladieswhokill
02/01/08 4:40 AM GMT
Keep shooting Jan!
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::fogz
02/01/08 8:09 AM GMT
well deserved Jan! Your gallery is proof of your talent!
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"Life is short, break the rules, forgive quickly, kiss slowly, love truly, laugh uncontrollably, and never regret anything that made you smile" .... mygallery
::nigelmoore
02/01/08 10:16 AM GMT
I can't think of a nicer or more talented person for it to happen to! Congratulations Jan you're an inspiration. It's just all that messing about with feet that bothers me ;-)
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"The tree which moves some to tears of joy is in the eyes of others merely a green thing which stands in the way." William Blake
::LynEve
02/01/08 11:33 AM GMT
Kia ora and Congratulations Jan :) All of your images have a distinctive vibrancy and each one exhibits your fine eye for composition. I could never choose a favourite but at the moment I hace Cranes on my desktop :)
Keep them coming!!
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The question is not what you look at, but what you see ~ Marcel Proust
.twinkel
02/01/08 12:35 AM GMT
...old and weird...huh...let them talk and see how they are doing when they will 43 years...lol...

Congrats missus and well deserved you have a talent for making good shots:))
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laughter is the best medicine.
.boremachine
02/01/08 1:15 PM GMT
Congratulations for this long deserved accolade!
For being creative maybe someone has to be 'weird' or different.
Your creativity runs along your ability in taking wonderful images and your knowledge of your tools - and your work always was an inspiration to me!
It was only a matter of time drawing your gallery for being honoured ;o)
I'm very happy for you, being one of my 'oldest' and best pals here on Caedes.
Keep up the great work Jan!
Chris
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If you have some minutes why don't you come visiting my gallery ?
+KEIFER
02/01/08 6:07 PM GMT
Congratulations, Jan, recognition well deserved!!


now, about those tattoos.........
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˜”*°•.•°*”˜˜”*°•@•°*”˜˜”*°•.•°*”˜˜”*°•.•°*”˜˜”*°•@•°*”˜˜”*°•.•°*”˜˜”*°•.•°*”˜˜”*°•@•°*”˜˜”*°•.•°*”˜
.1bunnyslippers
02/01/08 6:36 PM GMT
Congradulations Jan, on a most deserved honor. Your images are outstanding, so keep them coming!
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I need to catch up on things so can't comment too much. But I love all of your fine images :)
::kodo34
02/02/08 7:00 AM GMT
Congratulations Jan , i was wondering when your name would pop op here , well dissevered .

Kristof .
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....Dreamstime..... Art is born of the observation and investigation of nature. Big stock photo
::verenabloo
02/02/08 7:23 AM GMT
Jan, I've certainly enjoyed your photos and your friendship. I am waiting for the day you do the painting on the ABS...hurry up girl! I enjoyed reading your "bio" and it's helped me to get to know you a bit better yet.And even tho it's an honor to be in the Artists Spotlight, I think you have a spark all of your own. Congrats my friend..Verena
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Life is like a grindstone.Whether it grinds us down or polishes us up depends on us.
.krt
02/02/08 10:41 AM GMT
Congratulations, Jan! A well deserved accolade and a fascinating "bio". I always enjoy seeing your shots on Caedes, they're so rich and varied and interesting.
Cheers,
Kevin.
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I much appreciate all the comments I receive about my images, but please excuse me if I don't always reply. My interest in Caedes is exceeding my time available!
=ppigeon
02/02/08 3:05 PM GMT
Congrats Jan! A new topic for your conversations during the futur UK meeting :-)
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-Pierre-
::sasraku
02/02/08 7:17 PM GMT
Well done Jan.....

Bond 007

X X X X X X X
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No trees were killed in the sending of this message. However, a large number of electrons were terribly inconvenienced.
::jcferg99
02/02/08 10:47 PM GMT
Hi Jan,
I'm just now belatedly taking notice of your richly deserved honor as artist of the month. As I was looking through your gallery I realized so many of the pictures were old friends because they also reside in my favorites gallery. I think what most impresses me about your art is your adventurous selection of any and all subjects and your use of so many skillful techniques to make your pictures even more interesting and unusual. Congratulations!
JoAnn
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::phasmid
02/03/08 4:49 AM GMT
Well Done!!! I was so happy to see that you had been chosen, Jan. You've deserved this for quite some time now, and it's always a pleasure to see one of my favorites chosen for her talent!!

You brighten my days with your uploads, and you live on my hard drive ( and that's the one that never dies! ) and you always take your turn on my desktop.

Congrats again, my friend.

:)PJ

Had to include one of my faves of yours ROW .
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"Where there is perhaps a province in which the photograph can tell us nothing more than what we see with our own eyes, there is another in which it proves to us how little our eyes permit us to see." ~Dorothea Lange
.0930_23
02/03/08 6:14 PM GMT
Makes me feel good that someone on my friends list is in the spotlight. You deserve it highly and I think your sunset/sunrise photos with the Walters and trees are my favorites. You're very varied with your talents and are a real asset to this site. You've set the bar pretty high for someone like me to try and reach. That's a good thing. I'm sure you'll make a great Walter with the spotlight. Congratulations Jan.
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I'll meet you at the edge of the sunlight, just behind the shadows. The Ghost
::tigger3
02/04/08 12:18 AM GMT
Good Job Jan, even though we are not on each other's friends lists, I have seem some of your work and I must say it is most impressive. Congratulations to you! ♥:)sandi♥
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Nature in all her glory is my uplift on life.
::HauntingMorgana
02/04/08 2:19 AM GMT
Gratz! You have some amazing work in your gallery! Amazing with a cap A.

Michael.
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Darkest of Dark....to die and then restart
::JEdMc91
02/04/08 2:57 AM GMT
Congrats! You have nice work and i plan on commenting a lot asap!
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John 3:16
::DigiCamMan
02/04/08 4:02 AM GMT
Just saw this...way to go! Congratulations, well deserved.
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Lu 17:24 For as the lightning, that lighteneth out of the one part under heaven, shineth unto the other part under heaven; so shall also the Son of man be in his day. ........ My Gallery
.Corconia
02/04/08 5:15 PM GMT
JAN YOU SO DESERVE THIS! Well done. Your photography keeps getting better and better. Congratulations again and we look forward to seeing more of your talents (and maybe some of your tattoos?!!!)
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Why not visit my Gallery.
::PamParson
02/04/08 7:41 PM GMT
Congratulations Jan, very well deserved indeed. You have so many amazing photos and they just keep coming!!
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"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you" ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson
::SEFA
02/04/08 11:00 PM GMT
Congratulations Jan! Very well deserved. I have enjoyed so many of your wonderful photos and saved them to enjoy over and over again. Well done!
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SEFA
::jswgpb
02/05/08 3:46 PM GMT
Man how did I miss this, must be spending too much time in the poppy field. LMAO I'm sooo thrilled for you Jan my tail keeps hittin' me in the face. LOL You richly deserve this honor and I'm pleased as punch for you sweetie, I luv all of your work and think you do great. But you do need to find that infra red lense. :) Those are some of my faves. Congrats....sorry I'm late....I've been takin' a break....luv ya and enjoy your moment in the sun my dear............It don't last long. ROFL :) (((HUGS))) John
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Always remember - Follow the Yellow Brick Road, it will lead you to the Emerald City and OZ A very nice place to be. Trust me on this one, I live there. The Lion **** MY CAEDES GALLERY****Another Site I'm AT - MY DA HOME PAGE
+nmsmith
02/05/08 10:22 PM GMT
A well deserved honor, Jan. I really admire your photography (and am envious of all the cool photo equipment you use!) :) It's people l like you who keep me coming back to Caedes. I love the wonderful mix of personalities here. Keep up the great work, my friend.

Nathan Smith
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.Ramad
02/07/08 10:37 AM GMT
Congratulations Jan on becoming Artist of the Month. I must also tell you that you have a very nice gallery.
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If practice makes perfect and nobody is perfect, then why practice?
&purmusic
02/09/08 12:25 AM GMT
Wellll ... I guess ... guess I can forgive you now for not replying to my commentary on your painting of Chris' image taken in Venice. :o|

That is ... if ... if, I get a corner piece from the celebratory cake.

:oD

Congratulations Jan, a well deserved honour for your works of art behind the lens or from in front of the canvas. :o))
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"Sometimes me think what is love, and then me think love is what last cookie is for. Me give up the last cookie for you." - Cookie Monster
::427cobraAC
02/10/08 2:11 AM GMT
Congratulations Jan, judging by the contents in you gallerey you deserved the nominations.
-Chris
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And the Lord said "Go Sox" Patriots 18-1
::tealeaves
02/10/08 11:45 PM GMT
Congratulations Jan! You so deserve this special recognition. I enjoy your truly inspiring photography and want to thank you for sharing it with me. Keeping them coming, my friend :)

Lori
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Each cup of tea represents an imaginary voyage. ~Catherine Douzel
.angelledaemon
02/11/08 1:46 PM GMT
Congratulations, JQ! You deserve this honor!
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Angelle "because reality isn't nearly as fun."
+photoimagery
02/12/08 7:43 AM GMT
Congratulations Jan,
This is an honor that has been long over-do. I spent the better part of a couple of hours going over your images and must say that I'm very impressed with what I saw. Keep up the good work.
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.ekowalska
02/21/08 12:04 AM GMT
Another well-accomplished artist who has truely deserved this honour for a long long time. I am so happy to join the choir and to express my deep appreciation for the skills and talents you possess, Jan. Your photos are filled with colours and light. That is what makes them so special and appealing to me. Dear Jan, I wish you new challenges that will make you grab your Canon EOS 400d and go out in search for some unforgettable sceneries and experiences...

Hugs from Ewa
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"Every artist dips his brush in his own soul, and paints his own nature into his pictures." Henry Ward Beecher
.Hukka55
02/21/08 4:11 PM GMT
What a super outlook on life you have! I gotta copy that, copyrighted or not! =D
Go on with what ever it is you are doing, since it all reflects on your photos and paintings. And yet again, thank you for letting me use your photos in my project.
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::egggray
02/22/08 4:19 PM GMT
I just looked through your gallery Jan, you have so much good work in there, macros, landscapes etc, you are a very well established photographer and do so many things so well. You do deserve this nomination. Congratulations to you. Gregg
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Visit my website if you wish to purchase some of my photos..My Photos
::lilu103
02/25/08 12:41 AM GMT
You have deserved this spotlight for SO long Jan! I know I've watched, been impressed by, and learned so much from your works for over a year now. I don't know that I could pick a favorite out of your gallery because there are so many of your images that I love and have decorated my desktop time and again, but I could honestly say that your gallery is my favorite! So -Here's to you "OH PHOTO GODDESS of CAEDES!" *chink-chink* :))) :D
'Lisa
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.LANJOCKEY
03/07/08 8:10 PM GMT
Hello Jan...Please accept my apologies for not commenting earlier....I send to you my warmest congratulations on receiving this high honour from your fellow photographers; recognition of such achievements certainly reflects on your individual drive and commitment towards your work in photography . keep up your prestigious work.

Again, congratulations Jan....All the best...Mick.

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