Kate Middleton was visiting Margate’s art galleries last week… of which more in subsequent posts. Today I’m covering my own art adventures from my heavenly week off by the sea. With only the task of painting a room to put off, I spent my days wandering along by the sea to explore the house clearance shops in the further reaches of Cliftonville, Margate Old Town’s wilder and less gentrified neighbour. I came back with two beautiful paintings to add to my small collection of originals. Do you want to see the first?

This was the princely sum of £2, and is lovely – the closer you look the more you see. It’s signed, but it’s so tiny that I can’t make out the name. In pencil on the back it says ‘3/4 Spoon’. Next up is this one, a total bargain at £1. Unlike the one above it’s painted on some rough fibreboard, and you can see the fibres through the paint.

Unlike the other landscapes I’ve bought (which I’ll share in a second), I know where this painting is of because it says on the back.

I just love these paintings, not just because of what they look like, but also because I imagine they are pieces of art which have never (previously!) been bought and sold. More likely they were painted for the pleasure of the painter, and displayed at home or given as a gift. Bought on a previous occasion, also for £1, is this similar little landscape. I love the sombre greens and greys, lightened with two bright little figures in the foreground which I only noticed months after buying it. It was in a box of other home-painted boards, but really stood out.

Lastly is this one, a real extravagance at £5, which is probably mostly for the frame. There is a little Prince-style signature name up of overlaid initials, and underneath, in brackets, it says ‘Copied’. Anyone know what from?

They all speak to me of journeys taken, wonder at the world without ever taking a flight, and artistic impulses satisfied without any need of galleries, promotion or acclaim. I hope you like my collection – I spent hours arranging them on the floor in the evening. I hope the original artists would be pleased to know what they are getting careful consideration and bringing joy to a new house.