Author: Sarah

 

The great big American Presidential election is upon us. Everyone is on edge, worried that their favored candidate won’t win. The polls show that support for both parties is pretty evenly split. How can that be?

I figured I’d be remiss if I didn’t cover such a big issue in my blog post… but honestly, it just feels too heavy. Personally, I’m not paying much attention to the polls or the news or the advertisements on tv. That is all too upsetting. I will be voting, of course, but let’s try not to get too worked up before it all gets found out.

At a favorite brewery, I enjoyed a bit of me-time while people watching at the bar. With the election just days away, I noticed how no one there was talking about politics. Here are some snippets of conversation from people probably just like me–worried about the election, but not giving in to their anxieties.

I really like cupcakes!

When I was a kid, I used to watch Lord of the Rings every day.

I found a worm in some chicken I bought from Whole Foods!

I went surfing and I was in the water a half hour before sunrise. So surreal.

I was hunover today–a weed hangover. So I ate a fat bowl of ramen earlier.

 

FPV8+56 Middletown, Rhode Island

Yeah, I’m into fitness. “Fitness” whole pizza in my mouth!

Life tends to move in cycles. For me, I have times where I get up early and exercise often, and then times when I’m just always tired. Constantly revolving between these two states, I never feel balanced.
But here is a place I’ve been spending many of my evenings. Working through the sleepiness, pumping iron, doing fitness things. I feel myself getting stronger and I feel more disciplined. Some days, I stay in bed late in the morning, skip my workouts, and try not to feel bad about it. I’m doing my best–aren’t we all?
Let’s be forgiving to ourselves. Let’s treat our own selves the way we would a best friend.

You’re doing great.

CGJ8+22 Narragansett, Rhode Island

 

A familiar and probably nostalgic sight for Stefan.
A year ago, he and I were embarking on adventures together in Rhode Island. At his departure, we had a feast of imported fondue with lots of fun dipping items. He may be looking at this image and thinking, is it a throwback to that time?
Well, there is one difference. The boxes in the background. This particular photograph wasn’t taken as I said farewell to Stefan, but to my roommate Jeric. As our parting celebration, we found some imported fondue, prepared some fun sides, and hung out the night before I permanently moved to a new place.
I guess I have a new way to say goodbye to friends, thanks to Stefan. I just hope I don’t have to partake in these festivities very often.

 

FG4H+6V South Kingstown, Rhode Island

Let me tell you a little story.
It’s been a fruitful week of not working. I’ve taken a few day trips and a bunch of photos. I’ve seen some good art and organized my studio. And better yet, something big might be on the horizon.
This past Tuesday, I headed down to Stonington, CT. There was a gallery that I wanted to check out which had been recommended to me by an artist I know. I couldn’t find the gallery’s hours anywhere online, so I took a chance and drove the 45 minutes to get there. It’s in a great old mill with huge windows and tall ceilings. A very cool place.
But alas, the gallery was closed on Tuesdays. I did see someone inside through the window, but I thought of how annoyed I would be if I were the owner and some random artist popped in on my day off, so I decided to explore the rest of the mill. I walked through a little ways and happened upon a Zen book I have been wanting to read. I dropped a dollar in the honor system basket and continued on.
But something told me I should go back to the gallery, now. So I did. I saw there was a phone number on the door, that the gallery is open Wednesday-Sunday but you can call to make an appointment at other times. So I stepped outside and made the call.
It rang once and went to voicemail.
So then I thought… I can leave, or I can be bold. Shy Sarah, bold? No way!
Well, I walked back into the mill, up to the gallery door, and knocked (bold!). The owner let me in right away. I introduced myself (she already knew who I was) and we had a nice chat. I made sure to mention that I was an artist, and she wanted to know more. She looked at some of my work on my Instagram account and actually liked what she saw. She came right out and said that she wants to show more photography in her gallery, and that she would like to have my work in her holiday show–the biggest exhibit she has all year. I played it cool, told her I was interested, and we agreed to meet again over coffee with a portfolio of work to look through together.
I’m not getting too excited yet, as I suppose there is the possibility she could change her mind. But it sounds like the thing that I’ve been hoping for for a long time is finally happening. Representation by a commercial gallery. What a dream!

What you see here is a little picture of what 5 hours in the studio looks like. Prints upon prints. Trying to get my best work ready to show the gallery owner. Overthinking, second guessing, experimenting with mixed results.
I can only hope for the best, and I can’t wait to find out what will happen.

 

84Q2+46 Stonington, Connecticut

 

Tasseomancy: the art of telling your fortune by reading tea leaves.

Picture this: a busy day. Working remotely, hour-long calls about life insurance, cell phone buzzing nonstop, a stomach ache, restless legs.
At the end of the working day–a break. You sit down with a cup of hot tea to take the chill out of the coming-of-autumn air. Curling up in your chair, ignoring your phone and email for just a little while. Glancing into your cuppa and seeing shapes. Allowing your imagination to run wild.
What did I see in that cup of tea? An island. A place to explore and get away from everything for a little while. Relaxation, creativity, adventure. Where is this island? I don’t know. But I have a week off of work coming up, and I am going to find out…..

 

FFP9+FP South Kingstown, RI

It’s the same year after year. I always tell myself, “this year, I am going to make the most out of summer. Sunsets, beach days, ice cream, adventures. I’m going to do it all!”
And yet, even though I live in The Ocean State, I haven’t had a beach day since the summer of 2020. I can’t tell you the last time I watched the sun set or the moon rise. No ice cream or adventures, either. How does this always happen? How do I lose the time?
I realized the other day that the exact same thing has happened yet again. Summer is coming to a close, days are getting shorter and colder. And what did I do? I worked through it. Taking on too many different jobs. Hustling. Capitalism! There goes my 33rd summer, poof!

Well, maybe being aware of it will bring about positive results. Isn’t that how it works? If I know I do this every time, maybe I won’t do it again next year. Or…. maybe a year from now I’ll be saying the same thing. In a region that people visit from all over the world to take vacations, I don’t even give myself an evening to relax. Do you hear the frustration?

 

FG4H+FH Wakefield, South Kingstown, RI

To answer your burning question from my last post: I was not accepted into the residency program.
The rollercoaster of life has really been on the downturn over the last couple of months, but I think my bad luck has finally broken.
I didn’t get what I wanted. But so often the universe delivers something else just as good. Plans have not solidified yet, but things are looking up. As I leave behind the low end of the coaster and start my way back to the top, I am wrapping up some unfinished business and preparing for the view that lies ahead of me.

To put forth another analogy: luck can turn as quickly as a cat dodging it’s photo being taken.

FFPH+45 Kingston, South Kingstown, RI

Looking at this photo, you might think I went on a vacation this week. Actually, I went on an adventure to Long Island, New York, for an interview. This interview is one of those moments where you know that the course of your life might be changed. Where the acceptance or rejection of the program determines where you will go from here. Everything is about to change.

The interview is for an artist residency. Last August, I went on a week long retreat at a monastery. But this residency is so much more. This residency is to stay for 50 weeks, from October 15, 2024-October 1, 2025, at a historic house in Orient, NY. To live rent free. To focus all your energies on your creative practice…. or to do nothing at all, but just rest. An artist studio, a two floor home, a charming small seaside town where a “crowded” day means there are 2 cars in the beach parking lot. A hidden treasure, and a once in a lifetime opportunity.

I will find out my fate early next week. If I am accepted, I will be moving to New York. If not……

5Q45+38 Orient, New York

Yep, that’s yours truly. (I did not take this photo, but it was taken on “my” Saturday)
What you’re witnessing is me signing one of my books. What an unexpected success this has been! An exhibition of my work from the book (seen on the wall behind us), fans crowding into the gallery, and me selling out of the first 50 copies in a flash.
I’m not “tooting my own horn” here, but rather expressing gratitude for everyone who has shown support and love for me and my project.
Thank you.

I’d better order some more books!

FPV8+63 Middletown, Rhode Island

At the time of this writing, there are 38 breweries in Rhode Island that are members of the RI Brewers Guild. More pop up all the time. Craft beer is a part of life for many Rhode Islanders (and many of these breweries decorate their walls with photos of beaches and lighthouses!)

A brewery is a place to enjoy. To celebrate. To rememeber. To forget. To make questionable decisions. To people watch. To play. To socialize. To relax and unwind. To think. To stop thinking.
A brewery can be whatever you’d like it to be.
Today, it was a place to write, a distraction from life’s troubles. Reggae music, the falling of dusk, water rings on the table, and my little notebook with scribbles of thoughts and poetry.

FG4H+4R South Kingstown, Rhode Island