The splashes of paint had fallen on the floor of the spare room I use as my paint studio. The lady of the house was a bit upset that my footprints could be seen making a pathway to the cupboard where my tubes of paint were kept.

Over the years I had become a bit more considerate, no longer was these a smell of turpentine or linseed oil that had been a constant reminder to all who entered the house someone painted, or when they had to use the upstairs facilities be warned the paintings lying in the hall were still wet and the varnished landscape on the table should not be touched to see if it was dry.

 Even these days had advanced from the days of the old masters, who would mix all the pigments and liquids to obtain the colours they wanted before they could start to paint.

 In the oil painter's workshop changes are afoot, water mixing oils and thinners are being used, yet there is something to be said about doing it the old way. It is for the painters' own pleasure that we paint and use the medium that suits our style.

 "It's the doing that brings the joy, having done only opens the door to start another painting."

For the newcomer to the art of painting, the way is clear. The materials in the shops are wonderful. Boxes if Paints, Books Starter kits, Instruction classes for beginners, intermediate or advanced, or even back to school for an A-level certificate.

 Unfortunately, when we do get the courage to start, the hardest part is taking the first step. We question ourselves. We tell ourselves we are hopeless and kill off the first spark of enthusiasm. It takes that first big step to get us to give our first painting to the friend who, on catching us painting on the kitchen table, remarks, " I like that. That's good."

Having now taken the bait you're hooked and you will start to paint, but if you think you will paint a masterpiece in your lifetime, have your pipedreams, we all have them. I wish you luck. There are a few who have been that fortunate. To put a brushstroke on an empty canvas and start a painting is a masterpiece on it's own, it's an original; it has never been done the way you have done it. This is where the pleasure lies; any money value received is secondary to the joy of producing your own paintings.

 Now, here's where the next problem arises. What to do with all the paintings you have done? You have given friends you have, a painting for a birthday, Christmas or wedding and you still have them in the cupboard or under the stairs. The painting class you joined last winter sold a few of your paintings at the Christmas fair in the school hall.

The next stage is the one to consider carefully.  In every area there are craft persons working at their special projects - it could be a lady doing cross-stitch, a wood turner or potter, a sheet metal worker in early retirement - they too, have gone through the days wondering what to do with the goods accumulated but have formed a craft association.

There is an opening for a painter. You submit your work for acceptance and are now on a different level. When you join the craft association, you have put yourself on show, making the statement - this is what I do. You now have to work to produce goods that are selling. The nice relaxed hours spent over a painting seem to be lost in the rush to have that special one ready for the next fair. You wish for your paintings to sell. Painters beware. You might get your wish granted and find your relaxing hobby has become you're life's blood. For those who now try to survive in this line of work will tell you, "it's a hard life out there."

All over the country in the strangest places there a budding artists working to fulfil their dream of having just one good enough to say with pride, "That's mine." That's why, even today as I am working on this painting which will be better than the one I sold, I get the same excitement putting the first stroke on a new canvas as I did with that first painting on the kitchen table.