I used Maya 5's new "paintFx to polygons feature" to create the plant "hair". I love the fact that this is possible now - I have been going off with it, I think that it is one of the best things to happen to 3D (for me) in a few years. This character weighs in at about 1.7 million polygons, which is making my geforce 3 to put up a little bit of a fight.. But, ah, the detail, detail, detail....
Mother Nature 3/4 view

Mother Nature Side view

Mother Nature (Winter Version)

I would like to know peoples thoughts before I start to animate, I can all too easily focus on the wrong stuff sitting down here in my basement
Also, if you are interested, 41 other versions that were made as I created this model are
HERE
thanks