When I was very young, I used to sit and draw pictures from other pictures. They were - in my opinion - very bad indeed. Times were tough and resources limited. I used to mix wood glue with water colours to make a 'paint' more substantial than water. Not long afterwards, I drew a picture of my cousin sleeping. It came out pretty good. Next thing I know, I was getting orders for wedding pics and the like. I wanted to go to University to study engineering or veterinary, but home life got tough under a very strict step dad, and I moved to the YWCA at the age of 16 and got a job in the post office. The art got left behind whilst work and the night life kept me pretty busy enough. I still got the odd order, but nothing major. I then got married and had my first child. Still no art. Years went by and my first husband didn't think a mother and housewife should be painting when there was a kid to look after and a house to clean. After my divorce I started drawing again. By that time I had another job and my boy was in school, so I made some time to draw and paint and to try and find a niche for my art . People started hiring me to reproduce art and portraits. I taught myself to use watercolours, oils and any other medium you can think of. My new husband supports my art wholeheartedly. I even have a metal trunk full of my favourite art products which I open sometimes just to look and smell. I still don't have a theme or style. I do what feels good at that moment. Where my art used to be a hobby, it is now a part time income where I do commissioned work on a more permanent basis. I welcome any commissioned work. From all over the world. I want better than being an artist for my very gifted children although I do support it as a hobby for them. I even did a few art classes. Not that I know anything about teaching. Thus I conclude my story. Hope I didn't bore anyone spitless :)