When Mary Meagher's nine-year-old granddaughter won some acrylic paints and a book on how to use them in a drawing competition at school, she did what any caring granny would do.

She sat down with her and patiently went through the book, chapter by chapter.

But Mary discovered more than she'd bargained for. Not only did her granddaughter, Michaela Howkins, a pupil at Sandhills Primary School, learn more about painting, Mary found a hidden talent.

That was five months ago. This week, Mary, an American who has been living in Britain for 25 years, was thrilled to hear she'd had one of her paintings accepted by the Guild of Aviation Artists. It will be on show at a prestigious exhibition in London next month.

Mary, 65, of Hugh Allen Crescent, Marston, is a keen glider pilot. She took up the sport 15 years ago and is now an instructor and member of Shenington Gliding Club, near Banbury.

"I had tried painting before but never liked the way they turned out. About every two years I'd get out my paints to find they'd all dried hard. I'd go out and buy more but I'd lose interest because I just couldn't do it. I love gliding and wanted to paint gliders but you have to do it well." So, when she sat down with Michaela - one of her 16 grandchildren - and looked through her book, Simply Painting, by Frank Clarke, Mary was delighted to see that Chapter One dealt with skies.

"I did the chapter 12 times until I got it right. Initially it was myself, Michaela and her father, John, who sat down to paint. Then it became just me. Michaela has a busy, active social life and so she lent me her book and I carried on."

It wasn't long before Mary's paintings were turning out well. She has a whole stack of pictures, some framed by herself and her husband, Henry, others in frames bought at Oxford Market.

Some are ones she's painted while following Frank Clarke's instructions, others have come about as her skill has developed and all are very good indeed.

Then, while reading the bi-monthly magazine Sailplane & Gliding in April, Mary spotted an article about the forthcoming Guild of Aviation Artists' exhibition.

"I rang them up and they sent me the forms to fill in. I submitted four paintings and they selected one. "I was just thrilled. I used a technique for the foreground of the painting that I read about in a Dick Francis novel! It's called scratching and it really worked well.

"I'd say anyone can give painting a go. As long as you can see and hold a paint brush, you can paint. It's just a matter of following good instructions."

The painting selected for the exhibition is one of two gliders crossing the finish line in a competition. One is sweeping up past the finish and the other is dumping its water ballast as it crosses the line. It's atmospheric and totally accurate and Mary is delighted that it was good enough to win its place.

"I'd like to carry on painting and I'd like to sell some of my work. It's like a new career," said Mary.

"Michaela and I still paint together. We go to an art class together every Tuesday, which is fun. It's more for her than me but it's great spending time with her.

"I owe it to Michaela. If it hadn't been for her, getting me jump started and I hope her artistic career will grow and blossom," she added.

The Guild of Aviation Artists' exhibition takes place between July 21 and July 31 at Carisbrooke Gallery, behind Marble Arch, London. Hugo Trotter 0171 735 0634.

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