I've always sketched & doodled,but when I got in a motorcycle accident at age 15 I had 1 1/2 yrs of recovery which kept me from participating in some classes. So I was allowed to take 3 extra art classes. In these classes I was introduced to traditional drawing,acrylic & oil painting and clay sculpture. I then pursued all art related subjects I could in college. My life then phased into a religion which had no room for my art nor my love for it. After 19 yrs my brain made a successful escape and 2 yrs ago I found Poser and the re-ignighting (rebirth:-)of my creative juices. I think my art background has been quite benificial in terms of working with color,light,contrast,balance etc.,but in terms of making it "easier to pick up Poser", I think I was at the same place as many who haven't had any experience with 2D let alone 3D.