Birthday cards from 'prison'

AS my wife and I are now 'Covid incarcerated', we are not able to get to the shops.

With birthday cards going out almost every week to our children and grandchildren - twenty-four individuals in both categories - we have had to put our creative talents to the test.

For the first time in my life, I am now drawing birthday cards falling into 'male', 'female' and 'neutral' boxes, so that there's always something suitable to hand (the post-box is only a hundred yards from our front door).

This one, which falls into the 'neutral' category, is called Saturday Morning, and is intended to depict an urban scene with lots of people about.

Yes, it is mildly Lowryesque, but none the worse for that.

Scribbled inside fifteen minutes to catch the last post, it inevitably has its limitations, but also possesses a naive charm in my estimation.

Recipients will, of course, be holding on to these minor original works, as their value is bound to soar as the centuries roll by.

On such humble beginnings are artistic reputations founded.