Once upon a time, I collected anything and everything manatee.  My sister-in-law collects mid-century kitchenware.  My mom had a huge teapot collection.  The things we love and use every day become a part of us, we transfer our spirit to them.  With my mom gone, many of her things have gone to her kids and granddaughters.  But she lives on with us through the things that were hers.

I love these paintings by Seattle artist Amy Spassov and all their jumbles of stuff.  They remind me of the accumulations we make for ourselves over our lifetimes– whether we collect teapots or shoes or memories, those collectives say something about who we are, where we’ve been, what we’ve experienced.

To see more of Amy Spassov‘s work, please visit her website.

All images are via the artist’s website.