Musings from PAULINE GOUGH

I was asked recently how I started my art journey, which was back in 2010 when I broke my foot falling off our garden bank. My daughter, in England at the time, sent me some good quality paints and told me to "get painting again". I had attempted to paint when our four kids were growing up on the farm but found it was impossible, but by 2010 the family was older. So, I dug out some old paintbrushes and a canvas, set up the dining room table and got to work, using a photo for inspiration of my youngest daughter, Lydia, cradling a kitten.

I was quite chuffed with the resulting painting and my neighbours had the brainwave to put it in our popular local cafe, Blah Blah Blah Café & Bar in Dargaville. The owner obliged by putting it on the wall and two days later I had two of his clientele wanting to buy it! I immediately shouted my neighbour’s dinner at Blah Blah Blah Café. This gave me the confidence to continue, and I've since painted and sold hundreds of paintings. While we lived in Dargaville, Blah Blah Blah Café sold many paintings for me, and I've always been grateful for them getting me started.