Karla recalls drawing in grade school.  She remembers some of her sisters and her drawing together, and of course, they praised and criticized one another's work.  She continued to draw sporadically through her teen years and into adulthood, mostly for pleasure and as a way to reduce stress.  In her 7th grade art class, she sketched a chalice which earned her an A at school.  Using only pencil, Karla mostly drew people, while occasionally drawing trees or other subjects which caught her interest.  Karla and her partner, Steve, began seeing each other about 7 years ago, and once in a while, she drew in a sketch pad, and she showed him some of her previous drawings.  Then one day, she drew a sorcerer and scorceress for Steve.  Delighted by her work, he suggested she start painting with acrylics.  Karla resisted at first, believing she could not paint, but eventually consented to purchasing some paints and brushes.  About 3 years ago she painted her first work.  Since starting, she has studied the art of the Impressionists, and she has become particularly fond of the works of Van Gough.  With no formal training, she continues to develop her style and expand her subject matter.  Retired from a career as a hair stylist, working with style and color has transitioned naturally to painting.