Hallo

[Mrs O]

Found this great site by chance. Strange coincidence that I also come from Northampton. Retired 18months ago as a busy school bursar (my how education has changed over the 16 years of my job).  Found retirement much harder than I thought.  Had so many interests and thought I would be attacking them all. Finally convinced myself that it is OK to do exactly what I want instead of what the working life wanted. Been persuaded by old friend to have a go at drawing and painting.  Never shown any sign of any talent for it so started to look about for info and inspiration. Think this site could be it and look forward to browsing my way through it. Don't know if I will ever dare share my efforts with anyone though!

[Ingrid]

Hello there Mrs O and a very warm welcome to our happy wee forum. I too am often called Mrs O, so it made me smile broadly to see you here!  

Most of us here came through the front door feeling as you are now, with little or no experience in painting and drawing, and terrified to show what little we knew. I can promise you that no one here will rush you, or push you into anything you are not happy with. I was never keen to show my work initially, but all I have ever found here is encouragement and advice ... and friendship!

You will find lots of projects (feel free to do any of them, past or present) ask any questions, everyone will do their best to help.

Have a wander around, get a feel for the place ... you are very welcome here!  

[Lucia]

Hello Mrs O and a very warm welcome to site.
I am a newbie myself and i was really made very welcome.
Hope you will soon be joining in the project and posting your drawings and painting.
Lucia 

[Sue R]

Hello and welcome, Mrs O! I am a newbie here too but everyone is very friendly and welcoming. Please don't be afraid to post some of your work as you will receive encouragement and support whenever you do!

[JWJ]

Hi Mrs.O, and welcome to the forum.

As Ingrid has said so well, we all started where you are. It's an interesting, challenging, and rewarding journey that you're starting out on. Don't be in a rush to get where you're going and take it step at a time. We'll all have our own snippets of advice for you. Mine is to keep all your efforts, even the disasters, and to not judge a painting before the paint has dried. It's surprising how much better they look several days later. Join in the discussions and do comment on the work of others. It's surprising how thinking about another persons painting can help you notice things you may not otherwise notice. But above all else, no matter how good or bad a painting may turn out, enjoy doing it ... that's what it's all about.

Have a good look round, and make yourself at home.
John

[Pat]

Welcome to the JWJ nuthouse! 
From one of it's "senior" nuts! LOL!
Enjoy...we have something for almost
everyone. 

Pat 
Michigan, USA

[margaret]

Hi Mrs O,
I'm Margaret, a bit of a newbie myself, but everyone here is so warm and welcoming.

[smiler]

Hi and welcome Mrs O. It really is a nice place to be. Jump in and enjoy. 

[Mrs O]

Thanks all of you out there who have been so kind to welcome me.  I shall certainly start to look around.  Have a space in my spare bedroom cleared, lots of basic bits to kick me off supplied by my encouraging friend and Christmas present from husband, so have no excuse!

[pirate]

welcome Mrs O hope you join in with us all.
Ian

[Millie]

Mrs. O, welcome! You really do sound like almost all of us here. I know you will enjoy it here, and you will never feel intimidated. I have been with the forum since not long after it started, and I can't tell you how thrilling it has been to watch people, myself included, timidly posting paintings and getting respectful hints, but always on the spot compliments.
So enjoy, jump in and post a drawing or sketch maybe of something you'd like to paint. There is even a photography section if you're into that. I am. 
Millie, grandma and great grandma from Coloraod, USA.

[BenMore]

Mrs O, welcome to the forum and retirement - it can be a lot busier than you could imagine - both forum and retirement!!

[Rowie]

Welcome to the forum Mrs O!

Its a lovely site here, you may find some inspiration amongst the pages. 

Helen xxx

[Brisguy52]

Welcome to the forum Mrs. O.
You'll find truckloads of info and inspiration here 

[Bonnie]

Hello and welcome.  I've been chatting on this site for a little while (well...longer) and have not yet picked up a paint brush or pencil...so I will be cheering for you!  Good luck with your artwork and don't worry...everyone here is very patient and kind (and very talented)...they haven't kicked me out yet!

Bonnie
from Phillips, Wisconsin  USA

My daughter lives near Huntingdon!