Author: Sarah

An Irish stout in an Irish pub with some Irish music played by an Irish lad named Twohey.
Though I have no plans to travel to Ireland anytime soon, my mind is filled with all of the adventures I will have on my upcoming trip to Cape Cod. Close to home, yes, but still different to what I’m used to. New places, people, and experiences. Sleeping in an unfamiliar bed, sunrises and sunsets on the beach, and throw some lighthouses in there too. Plus a full day in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, which will culminate in a poetry contest celebration at a local brewery there.

I’ve been struggling with a battle between myself and burnout lately. Taking on too much, as I often do, but becoming aware of it before it turns into a problem. These travel plans are perfectly timed. A week with no phone or computer, no work. Just exploring and creating.
Solitude. Quiet.
And that Irish pub was the perfect place to let my daydreams run wild…

FMQP+92 Newport, Rhode Island

I know–it sure doesn’t look like much. An old mattress on the floor, boxes piled high, and not much furniture.
I don’t know the last time I felt “at home.” It’s something I was searching for.
I wondered if I would ever find it. I wondered what it would feel like if I did.

A little apartment on the third floor of an old building in an old town.
Beneath these slanted ceilings, I feel comfort, safety, warmth. I look forward to coming back to this place after a long day at work. I find myself wishing I was there when away for a night. There’s satisfaction: this little tiny corner of the world is mine, at least for a little while.

Is this home?

95FF+HM Westerly, Rhode Island

I’m way overdue in posting this. Aside from busy-ness, tired-ness, and other excuses, I didn’t know what to write with this photo. I still don’t.

This is a photograph of Stonington Gallery in Stonington, Connecticut. It was the first gallery to “represent” me and my artwork. In the photo you might be able to make out 3 of my photos scattered around the room. The owner, also named Sarah, is a wonderful human. On this Saturday, I went in to order some custom frames. I’m very excited about these frames.
They’re pretty plain, actually. A simple black metal frame, 8x10inches. 4 of them. You can buy 8×10 frames anywhere, it’s one of the most common frame sizes. So why did I spend double or triple what a normal store would cost to get these standard sized frames custom made?

They signify my future.

The plan goes something like this. Lately I’ve been absolutely adoring small sized prints of my work. I’m talking 2x3inches, maybe 4×4 at the largest. This is a new direction for me. Photo prints, cyanotypes, solar plate etchings. I’m endearingly calling them my “tiny prints”. I just love them. I wanted to elevate my presentation. These 8×10 frames are high quality. I will cut custom mats to fit the tiny prints. Imagine a 2×3 sized print inside a frame that’s about 4 times larger in its dimensions. It’s going to be beautiful.
These tiny prints will be going into galleries. They will be submitted to contests and exhibitions. They will be sold at markets and online. Maybe I’ll make a book out of them.
It’s new work that excites me. Not only am I excited about the possibilities of the work itself, I am hopeful about what the results might be. Will this elevate my practice? Will it bring a new audience to my work? Will I be noticed by other galleries? Book publishers?

Not to ramble, but I have one more thing to add. I recently realized how much my thinking limits me. When someone asked me what I would do if I made an income that is 5x higher than my current job pays, I dismissed it as an impossibility. But who’s to say that? I think I’m capable of more than I think I am. And so these frames and small prints signify everything and everywhere I might someday find myself. All the good that might happen. The unexpected joys. Success and contentment.

84Q2+38 Stonington, Connecticut

distant lights
finding
my way home

CGJV+4V Narragansett, Rhode Island

A snowstorm starts with cloudy skies. As the moon is obscured, we think: it won’t be so bad. I’ll believe it when I see it.

Then the snowflakes start to fall. A few at first, then faster, till the ground is covered. We shut off the lights, lock up the house, and head to bed. As it starts to pile up, we think: what if I’m snowed in? what if the roads aren’t plowed? what if we lose power?

After a while, we drift off to sleep. Anxiety clutches our dreams as we toss and turn. We think: I wonder how it’s going outside…

Then morning comes. With some apprehension we get out of bed and open the window curtains. The fresh snow is beautiful. There are maybe a few inches on the ground. The power is on. No trees fell. All is well. We think: I knew it wouldn’t amount to anything!

997F+MH Charlestown, Rhode Island

I want to keep this post vague. It’s about funny coincidences again.
There’s a problem I have had my whole life. Only, I didn’t know it was a problem until recently. It was always there, but I had no words for it.
Then, a little over a month ago, I learned there was a name for it. What relief–to know that I’m not alone, that it’s actually quite common, that there is the hope of healing from it.
It’s a time where I feel like I am exactly where I need to be. Something that fell into my life just when I needed it to. How this problem, and others, have all come to a head right now–right when there’s help.
The little signs of it popping up in my life. The nonchalant mentions of it in conversation. It’s just so strange.

I’m learning how to be more compassionate, nurturing, and kind… to myself. I’m going to continue to grow and overcome.
Say it out loud with me:

I am strong.

HWG5+MV Westport, Massachusetts

Back in 2023 when I was in my first artist residency, I made the realization that I put a lot of pressure on myself with my art and decided to make an effort not to do that again. Fast forward to recent days. I’m in a couple commercial galleries, starting to break into the Boston art scene, and have been asked to give a presentation to the Newport Photo Guild about my work. Wow–I’m really building something here.
But I realized again that I’m putting an awful lot of pressure on myself. When I go out for a photoshoot, in the back of my mind I’m thinking about if the photo will be good for my project, for a gallery show, or whatever else I might want to use it for. There’s always got to be some purpose for the photos I’m taking. I’m losing sight of just having fun.
My solution? Try something completely new and different.
In this photograph, I’m holding up the very first monotype I’ve ever made. It’s not very good… but that’s fine! It was a wonderful experience to create something without pressure or cares if it’s a new best seller. I also recently started creating collages, and now I’m taking an etching class. All to simply get out of my own head and create without a purpose. Just fun!

FFJG+45 Kingston, South Kingstown, RI

Look closely. Do you see it?
A funny little detail, which I missed until I got home later to look at the photo.
A Foggy Day. I hadn’t even noticed that’s what was playing on my car’s speakers as I was stopped at the intersection… on a foggy day.
It made me think of all the funny little coincidences that happen to me. How I speak about something, and suddenly there it is. How I think about someone, and suddenly there’s a call from them on my phone. I tell people I’m a great manifestor, but I don’t know that what happens to me is special.
I think what it really comes down to is noticing. Opening yourself up to the possibilities. Seeing opportunity. If you go through life distracted and confused, you’ll miss all these funny little coincidences. But when you pay attention to each moment, magic starts to appear.
I think that’s also the secret to Stefan’s New Year’s Resolution of trusting in the good to appear. It’s there! Open your eyes and you’ll see it.

What you are looking for will be right in front of your eyes.

FGWV+3M Saunderstown, North Kingstown, RI

when will i feel better? i just want to get back to normal!
am i even improving?
why don’t i feel well yet? it’s been weeks!
i want to go out photographing. i want to go to the gym.
i want to take a sunset stroll on the beach. i want to go for a hike. i want to walk around the city. i want to walk around town.
what a bummer to feel this way.
at least there’s the hope that someday i will feel better. some people don’t even have that.

Lots of thoughts. Some days I feel better, some worse. Every day I’m tired, weary, fatigued.
On “My Saturday,” I decided to go to Galilee. I planned on walking around the beach and the town, taking photos of the sunset and the full moon rise. I was so looking forward to it–it’s been weeks since I got to take photos. It’s good for my soul to have my camera in hand.
But… I was just too tired. I had been coughing all day. I knew if I tried to walk anywhere, it would be too much for me. I sat in my car in the beach parking lot, watching the sun reach towards the horizon, feeling disappointed.
Then I decided, as I often do, to make the best of things. I started the car and drove down the street. The wonderful thing about where I live is you don’t have to go far to find beauty. I pulled over on the side of the road, bundled up in my winter hat and scarf, and took it all in. No walking, no pushing myself. Just a roadside view that gets passed by hundreds of people every day as they zoom down the road towards the ferry. I surprised myself by taking 7 photos. Once the sun dipped below the horizon, I got back in the car and drove away.

While I want to feel better, of course, I suppose I should use this time to rest. Perhaps it’s the universe’s way of telling me to slow down and take it easy. Admittedly, I have a habit of taking on too much. Though I’m eager to get back to my normal routine, I’m going to try to enjoy this in some way. It’s easy enough to be sad for no good reason; can we be happy for no good reason too?

9FHQ+MR Narragansett, Rhode Island