I can't wait!

I have diligently been searching for a painting class I could attend.  Whenever I start something I have never done before I feel I need this "jump start" to get me going in a direction I want to go.  I have this tendency to want most of my duckies in a row before I begin a new project.  My organizational skills kick in and I have questions that I want answers to.  As simple as, how do you begin an abstract piece of art? I know the one answer is just to begin.  I practice that strategy often with other things in my life yet I still yearn for instructions.  Jump starting is simply some details on what to do.  Once I get started I can improvise and change/alter etc.  I am reading books but it's not the same as doing and watching, so I turned to youtube.  Which is also a good way to learn.  It's not what I am seeking.  So then I start to question my real motive.  Is it  because I am intimidated by the big white space on the canvas?  Could be.  In the meantime, I'll keep searching.

I have never been once to wish my life away but I find it extremely tempting to wish August would come soon.  You see, I just signed up for a painting class with a artist I admire tremendously, Mary Beth Shaw, and she will only be 2 miles from my house.  Yippee-Skippee!!        http://www.createmixedmediaretreat.com/

Can you tell me how you actually began painting?  Did you have previous experience?