Every July I take part in Cambridge Open Studios. Over the years I have met hundreds of people, many returning time and time again. We talk about my paintings and I sell some and I often get regular orders for greeting cards and sometimes a commission. I also talk about my art classes; a course of 10 sessions in my studio led by the interests of the group and occasionally I get asked to do something very special.

Theresa has regularly visited and bought cards and wanted to make a set of planets for her nephew and booked 2 sessions with me. She had ordered polystyrene balls in appropriate sizes and the first session was covering these in mod roc (plaster on a gauze which when wet is very pliable and can be moulded into any shape) with her mum. Here the white planets are sitting in my studio drying and afterwards packed up in a box for the next session when the planets will be painted. Such a lovely project - each even has its own hanger to decorate a room!