Moon Snail Project # 67 – 71: Less is More
April 24, 2013
“To build a simple hut is as much an art as to drink a cup of tea.”
Heinrich Engel, The Japanese House: A Tradition for Contemporary Architecture
My moon snail carried its house on its back. I suppose the closest I’ve come to doing the same is living out of a suitcase or backpack when I travel. Invariably I learn that no matter how lightly I pack, I still carry with me things that I do not wear even once. There are some important lessons here.
“How little do I need to have everything?”
— Ellen Meloy, The Anthropology of Turquoise
“Unnecessary possessions are unnecessary burdens. If you have them, you have to take care of them.”
— Peace Pilgrim
Less is more.
Moon Snail Shells # 67 & 68, ink sketches with watercolor washes
Moon Snail Shells # 69, 70 & 71, watercolor sketches
Rosemary's Blog 
April 24, 2013 at 6:18 am
For months now, I’ve had a post on the back burner about my experience as a collector of antique and art china. The primary lesson I learned, eventually, is that “collecting” is not the same as “accumulating”. For five years I’ve been sending pieces to resale shops and (most enjoyably) to the auction held each year at the Ohio Valley China Collector’s convention.
I’m in the process of culling for the auction again. The most amazing thing is – I still have found some things that I can bear to give up. And I no longer have china under the bed. 😉
April 24, 2013 at 8:06 am
I think that collecting often has an extra layer of thoughtfulness when making additions, that many times accumulating lacks. So much of what we’ve accumulated, we’ve outgrown, or had thrust upon us, or holds memories. It is difficult sometimes to let go. Other times it’s easier. I’m still trying to get rid of some of the easy stuff.