I always wanted to learn to paint. When I graduated from high school and began college in 1968, I wanted to minor in art, but couldn't afford it. I finished 1 1/2 years, quit and got married, had 2 kids, went nuts, and life went on. At the age of 37 I decided I wanted to finish my bachelor's degree and went back to school. That was tough! At that age, and having to work part-time! But it was exciting to learn. I graduated and began courses on my master's degree. I was close to finishing, lost my younger sister Carol unexpectedly, was close to the end of a semester with finals, got stressed and took my 1st painting class for therapy. I had trouble because I had never taken a drawing class and didn't know a lot about the basics of painting or color etc. From the western poncho and after, these were painted in that class.