Figuring drawing is a great first step to loosen up, relax, and practice seeing and abstraction. There's probably a class nearby. Photography, especially digi

Figuring drawing is a great first step to loosen up, relax, and practice seeing and abstraction. There's probably a class nearby. Photography, especially digital, is a great way to explore composition and narrative. And a key bit of advice - take a class in oil painting first. Acrylic and water color seem simpler, but are less forgiving of mistakes. Dedicate a studio space / corner to practice painting. Art is like exercise - pick what you enjoy doing and will keep doing over what someone else says to do.