well, i was introduced to sign painting in 1956-58, so i was 11-13. local guy was a hell of an artist, started paintin signs, i got involved because he used our dance hall(was below the grocery store...to make pounce patterns. i got to help him paint a couple billboards, he cut in and let me fill........then "wizard haynes" showed up at the bar, year or so later. he saw i had an interest......gave me my 1st set of quills. painted off and on, for years. 1986........i got FIRED from a job.........1ST TIME IN MY LIFE!!!! and i swore i would never work for someone who was dumber then me...............so 86 i went full time................got into computer/plotter in 93..............