The best birthday presents are those which you know you will use for a long time (apart from gin obviously).

This year, I got this big artists portfolio case to keep things clean and safe – really useful when you are working in a confined space.

I remember having one of these in 1980 and I wonder what happened to it? I think it was a dark maroon and probably more robust than this one but then memory and nostalgia can play tricks.

The ambition for this year is to have a full folder of work I am happy with and then who knows what happens next.  I will of course update www.ricart.co.uk regularly with new painting and prints for sale.