A 57-year-old woman who two-and-a-half-years ago discovered she had a gift for painting wants to highlight to other people that it is never too late to start something new.

Ros Millar, of Eaton Rise, Norwich, uncovered her talent for painting when she was recovering from a foot operation – and now her home is crammed full of her colourful works depicting everything from the north Norfolk landscape to the animals of Africa.

Yet despite her evident skill with the paintbrush, Mrs Millar said she is unable to draw and the only way she can create the lines for her paintings is by using a ruler to get the right angles.

Mrs Millar, who is married to Nigel and has two daughters, Louise, 31, and Sarah, 26, said: 'I paint from photographs we take as I cannot draw to save my life! I just wanted to say it is never too late to start something new.'

She added: 'My first effort was a flower in a vase, and my friend said, in the nicest possible way, 'don't give up the day job.' I decided to keep trying and I copied a picture of a beach scene. It was okay but all the perspective was wrong. Then I tried another one and that seemed better.

'I just kept on doing more and more from then on – it was just like suddenly discovering you can speak another language. I was amazed. I absolutely love it. It is a wonderful way to spend your time.'

So far, Mrs Millar has only ever exhibited at an open gardens event, but in the future she said she would like to have a website displaying her work.

Are you involved in a new art project? Call reporter Emma Knights on 01603 772428 or email emma.knights@archant.co.uk