The ‘tip’ is the pictures/pieces themselves. Apart from all the planning and thinking and experimenting and then ctually making the piece, there’s the question of how to present it.

I used to do quite a few pieces without frames, irregular shapes which I generally mounted on MDF to display them. I still do a few like that; I recently made (and sold) a piece called ‘My Kimono’ which was – no surprise – kimono-shaped. Tim very skilfully and obligingly cut the backing. (To my frustration, I have no picture of this in its final form. Fool! It came and went so quickly).

But mostly the great British Public like their work framed. I’ve experimented with all sorts: glazed and unglazed, ready-made, bespoke…. This can quickly get expensive – my work is in all shapes and sizes.

I’ve settled for our own style of white frame which can be used in two different ways, to create a deep but narrow frame, or a shallower but wider one. I get the wood specially cut and routed out, then the sainted and by now practised Tim turns it into simple but strong and (I hope) elegant frames.

Oddly, this works out more expensive than many ‘bought’ frames but it suits my pieces and allows the texture of the paper or cloth to show without distraction. Of course the frames need painting (and sanding and repainting) – that’s the bugbear. So it’s great when there’s a fine not-windy day at the right time.