I read a comment on one of my posts that said my art work was inspiring a former artist to pic up art again. I am so pleased that I could have helped stir up these feelings with what I draw. I want to share with you a little insight on my art journey.
I was always fascinated with drawing. I remember when I was off school watching some lady on a series on TV painting in oils. It was amazing. Then there was the children's art program "Take heart". The presenter was Tony Heart, that's where the title came from. He was a great artist in my opinion, and an inspiration to me. He made it look so easy.
The first time I remember sitting down and concentrating on a drawing was when I was about eight years old. For some reason I was off school. I don't know if I was sick or if it was half term, whatever. It was a picture of a steam train. I can actually see myself drawing it, I remember the concentration that went into measuring up the lines and drawing them out on the paper. I proudly took it into school as soon as I could, to show to my teacher. He was so impressed with it that he asked if he could enter it into a competition. I can't remember if I ever got placed. I kept on drawing right through school, and dreamed of going to art college. That never came about. I took art as an exam subject in secondary school (high school I suppose would be the correct term across the Atlantic).
 My claim to fame, and most precious childhood achievement was seeing that that final exam piece on exhibit in the town's museum. I continued to paint through floristry college, but I disliked what I did. My work was flat and unrealistic. I gave up on art as I was just no good at it.
Even though I had filed art away in a corner of me I still wished I could paint and draw. I spent money on paints and bit and pieces, but put them back in the cupboard defeated.
Two years ago, after becoming a member of blogster, I started reading the posts of another blogger, Kathyjoyfultoday. Her work inspired my to start again. I was given money as a birthday gift and I spent it on art supplies.
Here are a couple of those first paintings. I was so proud of these. I keep the best of my work in albums, and I look back over them every so often. Then when I return to them after a while I can see that I am improving.
This was the first one I did.

 
I posted it in the "LEISURE PAINTER MAGAZINE" forums, where some one told me about the art site I am now a member of.
Then I did one for Mary Elkhound. She was so encouraging with her response.
I am still trying , learning and hoping to improve , I still have a long way to go.
I have found something to occupy my mind, and this makes me so happy. I thank Kathyjoyfulltoday for posting all her wonderful paintings, as she helped me get back something I loved.  I just hope that I too can do that for somebody else too.