For The Love of Art

Reach for the Stars and never lose sight of your dreams!

- Linda Callaghan

Born in Cardiff, South Wales I realised I was drawn to art during my school years. I looked forward to my art classes, not forgetting drama, and had visions of becoming an artist, or an actress, as some young girls dreamed of. On leaving school I was given the choice by my parents of attending Art or Business College. I would have preferred art but it was decided there would be more job opportunities in business, so my interest in art was put on hold and off to Business College I went. My fingers quickly mastered typing and shorthand skills instead of paints and brush strokes and I settled in to office work.

After marrying and immigrating to the lucky country, ‘Australia’, I continued employment as a Secretary to three executives in a merchant bank until I was blessed with two children. At home and with time on my hands I had the urge to paint, and what a better canvas than a bare wall, so I painted a large tree mural in the bedroom. (To this day I am still passionate about painting trees). Cartoon characters were soon painted on my children’s bedroom doors and I also had an occasional painting request from friends. I thought I would apply for a correspondence course in art and the paperwork arrived in the mail. I had to complete a drawing test and passed. I was invited to continue but being time poor I realised my priority at that stage was my children.