I have less than a month to go until the opening of my first show. My paintings are mostly dry, and some of them are varnished. I do not have the acrylics problem of painting right up until the night before – my work requires that time after I have painted to settle down. I do have the problem that I keep on creating charcoal pieces, however. That is my current vice.

For those who plan to attend, a reminder: the show runs from 11th-16th November, 10-6, at the Cambridge Art Salon, which is at 29 Cromwell Road, Cambridge. In the local patois that is ‘by the fancy dress shop with that width restriction’. Come prepared to meet me, if you have not already. I do not bite, unless by written contract.