Not having any formal art training,( "Peta ," they said at school, "You'd be better doing craft")I enrolled in a drawing class at the Brighton Recreation Centre when my daughter was one and was introduced to the joys of watercolour by Gail Barton. In 2001 I did a six week Botanical Art course at Frankston TAFE with Susie Parry and another six weeks in 2002. Then I enrolled at the Botanical Gardens and have continued to attend classes there under tuition from Diane Emery and Mali Moir.I have also attended classes with Jenny Phillips and her teachers, I greatly appreciate the generosity of all my teachers who share their knowledge and expertise with all their students. But my greatest thanks are for my wonderful family Tony, Sam and Caitlin who live in chaos while I paint.