Below is a brief introduction by Gary Hodges by way of an apology for his delay in responding. Continuing on, Gary`s selected answers appear in italics below each question posted by visitors to this site.

Dear Friends,
I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to reply to your questions. At the time of being able to answer them, I was very much focusing my energies into "SABU" and "BUTTER WOULDN'T MELT", my two latest print releases. In just about anything that I do in my life that is important to me, I try and give myself time and space to be able to undertake the task to the best of my abilities. If I try and do too many things at the same time I usually run around like a headless chicken and the results dont please me.
I was very happy with my latest Snow Leopard drawing and the update of my late father's dog, Suzie. I hope you like them too.
By the way, I really don't have a clue about computers, so I only very rarely look at any websites when friends can guide me around them. Thank you very much for all the kind comments that you've made about my prints. It's great to get individual feedback from people who have bought and collected my drawings. . Now down to the questions!

From: Candace Skews Email: <imsweetcandy@hotmail.com> As a collector of your work I also have a love for animals of all kinds and from your art and good work in protecting many species it is obvious that you do to. I have just finished reading Simon Combes book An African Experiance where it is clear that his love of animals was developed as a child in africa I was wondering where does your love and respect of animals come from, what inspires you?

Dear Candice
Simon Combes book is a fantastic read isn't it. Try getting hold of his latest one, released about a year ago, called "Great Cats of the World" ( I think!) I found it even more enjoyable. I find it difficult to know quite how to answer your question. I do know that I was brought up surrounded by animals and was encouraged and by my Mum, Dad and sister, Lynne to be kind and loving to animals (and people). I wonder whether it's a bit bit like having faith in religion; you either have it or don't! Again like with religion it can be brought on by something profound that happens in your life, an extraordinary experience with animals or meeting special people who inspire you to do more. I have many great friends who work within the consevation and humanitarian movement who definitely inspire me to achieve more ................. Anyway, I think I was born with a basic love for animals that has been nurtured by the people surrounding me.
As for what inspires me; the wonder and diversity of our natural World.

From: Hazel Email: <sutto@tinyonline.co.uk>
Hello Gary - we have managed to meet you a few times at various galleries etc - the last time at the Mall exhibition. However it's only ever 'down south'!!! Us fans up here in the north of England would love you to visit. Can we expect you to brave the treacherous north soon??PS - how about those Meerkats?

Dear Hazel,
The time that I travel to galleries is when a new set of prints are published. The few weeks before the release are the busiest of my year.........signing, checking the quality of each print, receiving print quantities from shops and sending them all out. The galleries/shops that I visit are the ones that have the most customers who buy my prints. I have visited a few galleries in the past from the Midlands and the North of England but the turnout wasn't that great so I concentrate on the south where most of my prints are bought. ( as far as I can tell, I sell very few prints in Scotland.....sorry Susan!)
This policy is not set in stone!!!

From: Wendy Email: <cstead@cdarts.swis.net>
Would you ever consider taking commissions of peoples pets?

Dear Wendy,
In the early to mid 1980's, I undertook many commissions of peoples' pets. It was very good practice for me to really try and look at the character of each pet that I drew and hopefully portray them as their owners saw them. I believe I achieved that as I didn't have any complaints! I stopped doing commissions, of both domestic animals and wildlife, around 1992 because I felt that it was stifling creatively, with other people choosing what I was to draw next. I enjoy the artistic freedom of being able to chose myself what my next project will be. This is also why nowadays I try and not disclose what my latest drawing will be until it is completed and going to print. That way I can be certain it will come out on time. ( unlike the Nile Crocodile, Supreme and a few other prints that came out much later than I had planned!)
Mentioning the Crocodile is a good time to let you know that I have yet to continue on the rest of the drawing. It is such a daunting piece to finish! I'm sure I will complete it one day but I don't know when.

From: aaron Email: <kat_aaron@hotmail.com>
Gary, I love your art... I am an artist too, living in Australia, I'll keep this short.... On your video you demonstrate the use of an eraser...I use putty rubbers at the moment, the eraser you use on the video looks far more suited to detailed work, where can I get one??? I've tried everywhere?? Thanks for your time.. Kindest regards.

Dear Aaron,
The erasers that I used to work with were bought from W H Smiths in the UK. I say "used to" as they were discontinued around three years ago unfortunately. Many art shops sell similar plastic erasers but they are not as hard. I tend to visit shops and try bending the erasers. The ones that are the least pliable are the ones to pick. That way you can cut a good bevel with a scalpel blade and take out unwanted pencil tones.

From: Susan Adams Email: <susan_j_adams@hotmail.com>>
Love your work but can't really get to your exhibitions and the charity events which are usually in England. Any chance you might make a visit to Scotland? Keep up the excellent work that you do for wildlife.

(Please see reply to Hazel, above)

From: David May Email: <david@may.freeserve.co.uk>
Which is your own favourite print, Gary?

Dear David,
My favourite print or prints contantly changes. Currently, I'm very pleased with "Sabu" my latest Snow Leopard drawing. I wanted to create a piece that wouldn't be compared too closely with my previous 1993 Snow Leopard. Composition wise, I'm satified with it and I am especially happy with the "look" in the eyes and some particular areas of fur. I hope you all like it? I'm still very fond of "Hope for the future", "Jaff", "Greater Kudu", "Wobbly",...............this is getting boring now as I could list another ten or so. There aren't any that I'm ashamed of or I wouldn't have released them as prints, but there are a few that I would have reproduced larger. Hindsight is a great thing! I suppose the clever but evasive answer to your question should be a print that I've yet to draw. I want to improve and not remain static.

From: Claire Couch Email: <claire'dexterslab.freeserve.co.uk>
Posted on: Monday, September 10, 2001, 10:39 PM

Dear Claire,
I prefer to concentrate my efforts of fundraising to projects based in the wild of which there are literally thousands to chose from. Because of this, I try to keep to a handfull of Conservation organisations that I offer support to. Thank you for giving support to where you feel it's needed. It's all useful and is much better than doing nothing at all which a large part of the population who could easily give £10-£100 a year do.(soapbox time!!)

From: Jonathon Pearson Email: <jacopearson@yahoo.com>
Gary, do you listen to music while you are drawing, and if so what do you listen to ?

Dear Jonathon,
Yes I listen to music nearly all the time when I'm drawing. If I'm really deep in concentration when a certain CD ends I sometimes draw in silence, but that's very unusual. I only listen to music that is very familiar to me so I'm actually not really paying attention to it as such, but it's wafting in and out of my mind and gives me a warm feeling of contentment. Whether I'm drawing or not I listen mainly to female singers. Recent CD playing choices have included Anastacia, Eva Casidy, Roberta Flack, Kiki Dee, Freda Payne, Clodagh Rodgers, Regina Belle, The Supremes, Dusty Springfield.........................most of these seem to date back to my teenage years?!!

From: Claire Marshall Email: <alison@bedlam77.freeserve.co.uk>
I only own one of your prints,it's the Iberian Wolves.I bought it because it reminded me of a beloved pet I had just lost,and it gives me great comfort.I have since started to draw and would love to know if you have produced any books or videos to help enthusiasts like myself.Although I bought the print for a specific reason at the start it has lead to a wider interest of wildlife groups,which I now sponser financially, so please keep up the good work!!

Dear Claire,
I'm pleased to hear that one of my prints have given you comfort. It is a very difficult period when a beloved companion passes away. Many people seem to think you can just go out and buy another to replace them. If only it were that easy eh? I'm afraid that I haven't produced any guide books or videos on drawing techniques. I'm not really an intellectual artist, but more of an instinctive one. Therefore I often can't explain many of my ways of drawing. I think my main tip would be to look deeply into your subject and draw your interpretation of what you see. Patience is a big part of what I do, loving my subject matter and wanting to improve. A video "Drawn to Wildlife" was released a few years back and that had a few tips scattered throughout the film. It also contained over 100 images of my drawings set to music. It can be bought from the BORN FREE FOUNDATION at £19.95. (tel No 01403 240170). Good luck with the drawing and enjoy!

From: Vikki Walsh Email: <vikki.w@btinternet.com>
Gary, Ive had 2 pictures stolen, but cannot find the numbers, Greenpeace have this information, but seem reluctant to help. Would you be able to help?

Dear Vikki,
I'm not really sure what help having the numbers would be. I would also be amazed if Greenpeace still have that info, if ever. I do hope you had them insured? I'm not sure what I can do to help as I'm out of the country for a while . Sorry.

From: Tony taylor Email: <agv_taylor@hotmail.com>
Gary, Love your work. How do you select which animal to draw and do you have a prefered animal which you go back to like the penguins?

Dear Tony,
Elephants are my favourite animals to draw but I like to diversify and chose very different subject matters. Ring tailed Lemurs are another favourite; great tail, beautiful markings, cute expressions ideal for pencil. My next drawing is usually simply whatever takes my fancy or something that I've recently seen.

From: Shona Email: <shona.macdonald@aberdeen.entoil.com>
Hi Gary.Thanks for all your time and energy and the wonderful pictures you produce. I would like to ask if you ever get frustrated with your work? Have you ever had the desire to tear up the page and give up?

Dear Shona,
Yes I regularly get frustrated especially when a drawing just isn't going right. When that happens I walk away from the piece for a cup of tea and look again with fresh eyes. It can often take more time than that and I will sometimes put a drawing away for a few days, a week or a lifetime! One thing I've never done yet is to tear a drawing up. It would be so final and a negative act.