Every year I do enter competitions and in the case of Patchings it was always worth it. If I did not get into the exhibition, I still get a free ticket with my polite thank you letter. It's a slim small letter containing a polite note and a ticket or two to come along to the festival. I do make the trip every year as it is a wonderful day out and you can find some real bargains and paper like by the Two Rivers Company that you cannot buy online. Jacksons Art Supplies also sell at great prices there. Well 2016 will be different! I got a bigger letter and still 2 tickets and a painting into the Leisure Artist exhibition! This year I will go up and see my own work displayed.

The painting is of Sultan, the daddy of our girls, a glorious creature who attracts many people when he is on show. He needs a good frame now!