'Less Is More' - a title for this painting that I arrived at after contemplating a more poetic title of a line taken from the poem 'Fine Knacks For Ladies' (though possibly less John Dowland, rather more Sting).. 'Sometimes in shell the orient'st pearl we find'. The poem (Anon) is thus:

‘‘Fine knacks for ladies, cheap, choice, brave and new! Good pennyworths - but money cannot prove. I keep a fair but for the fair to view. A beggar may be liberal of love. Though all my wares be trash, the heart is true, The heart is true.

‘Great gifts are guiles and look for gifts again; My trifles come as treasures from my mind. It is a precious jewel to be plain. Sometimes in shell the orient'st pearl we find. Of others take a sheaf, of me a grain. Of me a grain.

‘Within this pack pins, points, laces and gloves, And divers toys fitting a country fair; But in my heart, where duty serves and loves, Turtles and twins, court's brood, a heavenly pair. Happy the heart that thinks of no removes! Of no removes.’’

Oil on canvas framed to Guild of Framers Museum Standard. 20”x16” approximately plus frame dimensions. Add approximately 2-3 inches all round for frame.