I'd like to say a huge THANK-YOU to all of you who have so generously continued to write comments on my work and read my blog efforts throughout 2011, I can honestly say you've given me such encouragement. Having work appear in the POL Top Tens has been such a boost, so thank-you for continuing to look. This year has been wonderful, but at the risk of turning into a bad 'Round Robin' I'll try to keep it brief. Having had work accepted for the first time by Patchings, the Society of Women Artists and latterly the Royal Institute of Oil Painters means a great deal to me. Having virtually taught myself to paint in oils over the last 3 or so years, to be included in their exhibitions felt like a stamp of approval, as I'd no idea if I was 'doing it right'! Thanks to those who have written great articles in The Artist on oil painting, they really do help, and also to those who have offered helpful advice in comments on my work. The latest news is that I've been officially accepted as a candidate for associate membership of the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. I've every confidence that I'll be sent packing with my tail between my legs, so I'd appreciate one or two of you keeping your fingers crossed for me as I work to produce my submission over the next couple of months, 6 paintings for their exhibition in March. Some of you may remember that this time last year I spotted a painting of mine on ebay, which I'd sent to a gallery in Devon from London, and which had gone missing in the post about 6 months earlier. Briefly, I'd notified the post office of it's disappearance, and because I'd sent it parcel post I was compensated with a first class stamp. When I spotted it on ebay I immediately notified them that they were selling a stolen item, however I was told that they could only accept such notification from a registered law enforcement officer. I then notified the police, was given a crime record number, (which I sent immediately to ebay), and was told the police would process it in about 2 days. Unfortunately the end of the sale was only 24 hours away, and I was booked on a plane at the time. Diana Hudson very kindly offered to bid for it in my place but I was persuaded to follow official advice and let the process take it's course. ebay contacted the seller, and told me that in their opinion he was not responsible for the theft. He was an ebay shop and if ebay had investigated further they may have found the person responsible, however they don't appear to have done so, and if they have they haven't told me. If you enter a comment on ebay on the item, it's up to the seller if they want it included, and notification that the painting was originally stolen would I suspect not have been published...ebay advised me not to contact the seller. The police in Devon contacted me to let me know that they'd concluded their end of the investigation, the original London end never did. The painting was bought for a few pounds by someone I believe from their ebay name lives outside the UK, and was very happy with their purchase. It taught me a very valuable lesson and I decided not to pursue it further, but I always send paintings Special Parcel these days and I haven't used ebay again! You live and learn... My very best wishes for Christmas and 2012 to you all.