My photographer son set up Birmingham Open Studios a few years ago having seen me take part in the same thing in Cambridge. I have always loved the idea of having people come to my house and see how and where I work and to have an opportunity to see an artist working and ask questions. All this for no charge - but the paintings, prints and cards are all for sale.

Owen de Visser, my son, started his open studios project small to see whether it could be done successfully in Birmingham and since that first time it has grown and is a feature for art loving people to visit every year as more and more artists join in.

Now in its seventh year several small paintings of mine will be in the gallery and I shall be there on 28/29 September, open from 11am to 6pm. I shall do demonstrations with gold leaf and visitors will be able to have-a-go and take their work home with them.

It also gives my son and I artistic time together