Now that Halloween is almost here, it is time to make good my promise to send a 2010 Calendar to all of you who entered the funny, odd and pleasurable competition to guess my special guest last spring.The guesses are still making me smile.

Serious suggestions included Mary McAleese & David Norris (I am still scratching my head over those two). The less serious included Leopold Bloom & Lord Lucan.  Of course, the two winners have already got their prizes, and for all who entered, no matter how late or how ludicrous, there will be a calendar in the post to you in the next few weeks.  Some of these calendars will be going very far. I've got labels addressed for Moscow, Montana and New York, as well as Macroom and Monkstown.

I am planning to send nearly 100 calendars out just before I take part in the Art Fair in the RDS, Dublin, November 13-15.  If you have a Mary Duffy painting, you will be on my calendar list. I will also pop a free entry ticket into the art fair for you, too (entry costs €10.00).

But first, my 2010 calendar must go to print. It will be a beautiful production, designed by Helen Maher, and will feature 13 lovely paintings.

For the last three years I have produced a very, very small limited edition calendar that has been much sought after, and, I am told, cherished. The first year, the edition was limited to two, the second year it was limited to ten, and last year, fifty.  There are never enough.  This year I am taking a big leap and getting perhaps, 500-600 printed.

If you would like one, two or ten copies I'd really like to know of your interest, now.  I am thinking about trees: 500 calendars might be a small print run but it's still a lot of trees. And a lot of storage space. So please tell me if you, , want one, none, two or twenty -they'll make great gifts. Tell me now. Think of the trees. Think of the ink. Think of 365 days of pleasure, for you and your loved ones.

With every good wish and many thanks for your continued support and interest in my work,