My Own Collectibles and Art

I have always loved these Japanese prints known as Ukiyo-e which translates as the Floating World.

I bought this one at a good antiques fair held in London's Earls Court in about 1997 or 1998 and paid £190 (roughly $300) for it. I also bought another slightly less expensive one at the same time and I display them together. It dates from 1856 and is signed by Toyukuni.

When you look at this kind of print, you have to remember that they were printed from hand-carved wooden blocks and a different block had to be made for each colour used. Then each block had to be placed precisely in the right position to print each colour in the correct place. These ukiyo-e prints inspired artists like Van Gogh and the French Impressionists.

Sandcastle appeals to me because it is so naive in style and technique. It was painted in acrylics byMollie Elstub who took up painting late in life. When she painted this, she was already in her 80s.

We went to an art exhibition in a small village hall about 20 miles away from where we lived. There were paintings from different local artists on display in various styles. This one appealed to me as soon as I saw it. I looked at everything on display but kept coming back to this one and so bought it for £80 (around $120).

This picture brings back memories of when I was a child living near London and we went to the seaside for our holidays (vacations). My brothers and I would build endless sandcastles on the beach as well as paddling in the sea.

It hangs in our sitting room and I can see it from where I sit now by turning my head slightly to the left. I never sit in this room without looking at it with pleasure.

In the UK antiques trade, small objects made from wood are usually put under the category of treen. This box is modern and I bought it from a crafts fair (show) about 8 or 9 years ago. I can't remember how much I paid but I would guess about £20 or £30 (approx $30 or $45).

The box is about 8ins wide, 8ins high at it tallest point and 4ins deep. It has obviously been made from one solid piece of wood. How did they cut the two drawers out? I have absolutely no idea. They look like jigsaw pieces and slide into place smoothly and fit perfectly.

The whole piece, inside and out is as smooth as silk. The smoothness and shape make it very tactile and I love it. When I bought it, I had a vague idea that it might make a good gift for Christmas or a birthday but I have never wanted to give it away. I often pick it up just to feel it.

This is another modern piece and was given to me by my youngest brother as a Christmas present about 12 years ago.

It represents forgiveness and reconciliation to me. My brother and I had a huge argument where we both said the most terrible things to each other. A few months later, he and his Japanese wife went to live in Japan. In the intervening period we had not spoken to each other at all. Although I went to the farewell party, things were still very frosty between us. About two years later, he returned to the UK for a quick visit, mostly to see our mother. I went along to meet him because, by this time, I thought we were too old to behave like little children.

We both made an effort and the visit was successful. When he returned to Japan, we kept in touch by email. The following Christmas, I received this beautiful lacquer tray, with the flower and leaves inlaid. It's about 12ins in diameter and much more beautiful than you can see in the photograph. I cried when I opened it. Now it's one of my most prized possessions because of what it represents.

My brother now lives in England and we are very close and supportive of each other, I'm delighted to say.

We visited another exhibition of work by local artists in a nearby town and saw this picture there.

Like Sandcastles above, this work by Yvonne Auld called to me from the moment I saw it and I could not leave without buying it. I think what appealed to me was the combination of shapes and colours and I could see the sweet peas, even if they are on a gigantic scale.

It's painted silk, framed and glazed and the painting itself, without the frame, is about 2ft square. I think we paid about £100 ($150) for it. It hangs in our sitting room, not far from Sandcastles so I see and enjoy it everyday.