They say that as you get older, every day is Christmas day. Time certainly does seem to go faster as you age, however, every day has felt like Christmas since I took up this precarious career in art. Winter sees me visiting the Spring Fair at the NEC. Here, one can view a whole hall dedicated to Christmas as far as the eye can see. Card companies are also very busy selling their stock for the next season. I paint Christmas cards for a company, so come Spring, briefs for cards start to arrive, something which lasts well into the Autumn. Photographs are inevitably taken with trees in full leaf so some guesswork is required to ‘see’ what lies beyond. It always seems a little bizarre painting snow scenes with the sun blazing outside. The autumn may appear to offer a little respite, but this year, running a painting holiday at Cheddar, I was amazed to see a shop totally dedicated to Christmas! Late Autumn, and I need to be thinking about my own card. People seem desperate these days to stop the practise of sending cards, even high church members. However, with industries failing by the day, why make even more unemployed? For a poor starving artist, it’s a great way of making people aware that you’re still out there and a way of offering good cheer. I know a number of people who frame my cards and bring them out each Christmas. It’s never been easier to make cards with a good quality printer and cardstock. I like to go ‘over the top’ with lots of snow, smoking chimneys, children building snowmen etc. Melton Mowbray has never looked so good! To see the finished result, visit my webpage www.timfisherartist.co.uk