When I was younger, I loved writing, especially poems, and I could sketch things out that I saw around me. As I aged gracefully, I had moved to a more constructive path in life as an office clerk. In my 40s, I discovered, during an Art Appreciation class, that my old passion was still there and wanted to progress to much higher levels than pencil sketchings. I wanted to learn the techniques of art, such as painting and design. I was not very good in my drawing classes, but I could lightly sketch out what I had in mind on canvas, and then paint the colors onto the sketch. Seemed reasonable to me, and a lot easier for me then. But my imagination always got in the way, and faded memories would seep out on to my canvas. Instead of the "still life" approach, I wanted to rebel at almost every paint stroke my art professors, R.M. and J.B., wanted me to paint or design. Now, I appreciate the disciplinary techniques because they go a long way when designing my altered art, mixed media, assemblage, and paintings.