By Amy J. Williams

What separates people who collect things from people who don’t? It isn’t money, because a lot of people I know who struggle financially still collect all kinds of things. Then, there are people with loads of dough who collect zip! With due respect to the spiritual view of not attaching to things, it seems that as I mature artistically I also want to collect things.

While some hoard their possessions, I have always been one to dispose of items. My mom gave away all my childhood Barbies and toys. With each relationship break-up or move in my life, everything (or almost everything) goes. I can be sentimental, but often I just don’t want to keep more “stuff.” Yet at the ripe old age of 44, I’ve realized that “stuff” is exactly what artists need. “Stuff” can include toys from vintage vending machines, old wooden frames from the antique store or pictures cut from cards and magazines… all the ingredients in producing art.

I have come to realize that my Zen-ish desire to live with nothingness is incongruent with my desire to create strange and (I hope) interesting pieces of art. Edward Gorey, the illustrator and writer of so many interesting books, had plenty of “stuff.” The book, “Elephant House,” which chronicles his untouched house after his death, shows all kinds of collections - rocks, irons, frogs, books, and more. I felt better after looking at all his belongings, piled hither and yon. My house could look like this if I tried (but I would leave out the smell of kitty litter that visitors could always get a whiff of).

Collecting just to collect is unpleasant consumerism that is foolish and unfruitful. But recycling old items and recreating them into sculptures in your home or art pieces to give to friends is fun and even good for the environment. Shopping at vintage stores, flea markets, and antique stores gives artists and art loves a plethora of options for fun and often inexpensive items to collect.

I’ve started collecting chalk fruit to hang in the kitchen and doodads for my homemade voodou dolls. So, what are you collecting?

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