I didn't take any formal art qualifications until a few years ago, shortly after I was made redundant from my administrative job with a construction company. My husband had taken early retirement and our plan was to spend more time with each other. I also fancied pursuing my interest in art so I plucked up the courage to enrol at our local 6th form college as a mature student! I initially took GCSE art, which I enjoyed immensely. The encouragement I received from my tutors spurred me on to take the subject at A level the following year. I was thrilled to get A grades in both my GCSE and A level, plus I'd rediscovered my passion for art!
I have always been creative - more often than not I will make someone a birthday or greetings card rather than buy one and I have created many cross-stitch paintings/samplers as gifts for friends and family. My other creative outlet is my interest in amateur drama - I am the Honorary Secretary of the Bilton Amateur Dramatic Society and also run the Junior and Youth sections of the group, along with my husband and another member. My involvement also stretches to anything artistic - I like helping to construct the sets anyway, but scenic painting is also one of my areas of particular interest!
Career-wise, I tended to follow a more administrative route, although my first job was as a publicity officer for the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers, which did entail, amonst other things, designing leaflets and promotional displays for various events throughout the year.
I now get more pleasure from creating artwork than I ever thought possible, particularly when I have painted an "emotional" piece that has gone down well with the recipient - gifts aside, there is a lot to be said for satisfied customers when you are selling a little something of yourself
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