Well, I guess I've had a hidden talent for drawing all my life.  My Mom recognized it and had me take an art class in high school.  However, during that age I really didn't pursue it.  During my life I would hit periods where I really wanted to draw and would draw a few things and then not draw again for years. 

Then in the fall of 1999, something happened.  I hit a drawing phase that just didn't go away.  I found it totally absorbing and wanted to improve and do more and more.  I found myself joining a pencil artists newsgroup, buying books, talking with other artists and drawing almost everyday.  You can see the improvement (or at least I hope you can) by viewing the drawings in the gallery.  I still have a lot of room for improvement.  Maybe one day I will actually take a few art classes ;-)

I love pencils and  I love the blending capabilities of the graphite but am intrigued with colored pencils as well.  I have done just one colored pencil portrait (other than dogs ;-)  -- you can view that work in progress at the Pencil Artists Community site (there is a link listed in my Links section).

Now I'm experimenting with pastel painting -- reading some books, getting some mentoring and taking some online lessons and viewing tutorials on YouTube (ahhh ;-).  I am absolutely loving this medium -- a combination of paint and drawing -- perfect for me!