Over the years I have turned my hand to a variety of things. I studied horticulture and photography, I wrote some poetry and while attending a creative writing class, I set about composing my first (as yet unfinished) novel.

Some time later, I learned to play the guitar, while keeping myself busy creating some clothing and knitwear designs – although to be fair I was never much of a knitter or seamstress.

In 2002 I relocated to the Mornington Peninsula. It proved to be a move that sparked the desire to find a new creative outlet. At first I settled on ‘Pottery’ but having made a number of enquiries about classes I couldn’t find anything that suited.

A few years later, I was driving along a very pretty stretch of countryside near Merricks, when I passed a sign set by the side of the road.

It read ‘Art Classes – Oil and Pastel.’

I slammed on the brakes, spitting gravel in all directions, as I veered to the side of the road and wrote down the phone number.