enter fall

vine theory

vine theory.

i went outside this evening with a mission: to reclaim the flower beds. someone lovely lived here before me. she loved her gardens; i can just tell. i can imagine them in all their glory. i have been feeling a little ashamed about my neglected beds, so today i decided to weed the evening away. i set out to restore and preserve, tame the gardens, and make their first mom smile. but i discovered something...i discovered that the problem wasn't really "weeds" per say, it was the vines. now, i love vines. i find vines climbing up the side of a brick building to be something very picturesque. but, these vines were taking over everything - covering everything like a blanket. on the surface, they appeared lush and wild, which can be attractive, but...when i started pulling them back, i realized they were smothering the smaller flowers. stems were being choked and tangled. entire blooms were covered, strangled by the vines. as i started ripping the vines away, my thoughts brought me to the vine theory...

blooms awaiting the sun...

imagine my surprise...

the sunflowers are coming up nicely. only a few inches now but hopefully by summer's end they'll be kissing the sky jimi hendrix style...

and these were my helpers (as always)...
armani (armi)

and jewels...

majestic in the jungle...like a little lion

please notice the stick in his poof tail...

jewels helping me weed the dirt...by eating the grass...

& armi helping me dig...

and enjoying his root kill...

back to the vine theory...

here's my theory. we all have vines...certain aspects of ourselves or perhaps weaknesses that we let grow wild. sure, vines are nice...they can be nice. one or two tangle in; we barely notice. we keep it unchecked and before we know it...the vines have taken over. we have lost that part of ourself. the poison vine has strangled it out, interwined within...making it hard to separate the good from the bad. sometimes we don't even realize how deep the roots are growing.

not a new concept.

vine theory.

we all have vines.

you found me

My name is Sarah, but I guess maybe you already gathered that. I live in the hills of wild West by God Virginia. The pace is slow, the people are kind, the seasons change. I, in fact, actually live upon a hill in a brick home with my husband (Paul!!!) and our two little dogs (Armi and Jewels...photos of them soon!) that we love tremendously and practice our parenting skills on.

They fit us.

We are both artists. Commercial photography (boekell photography) is our bread and butter. I recently earned my BFA with a concentration in graphic design. Oooo. I have yet to decide what this is going to mean for me, except that I will freelance from time to time. In the meantime, or possibly forever, I love illustrating and fine art photography (especially alternative processes, plastic cameras and macro shots). This is what you can expect to find in my Etsy shop first.

But not yet, because the Mac is down.

But soon…real soon.

{{here's a sneak}}

First - because there will be more. Next month I am attending a workshop with a silversmith. I may burst! So, after a few months, expect to see some wonderful additions. I already have pages of designs sketched out and ready to be transformed into metal.

Hopefully anyway.

What else? I love to write…poetry, short stories, maybe one day a childrens’ book or two. I find great inspiration and comfort browsing through antique stores and flea markets. It’s like connect the dots with the past. I want to sew like my mamaw, play guitar like my mom, and travel like my dad. I also plan to try my hand at pottery, printmaking, and painting.

So, we’ll see where this goes. Where I go from here.

I’m learning to garden. My trial cactus has survived. My orchid, Lovechild, is going strong {yes, I named my plant, and I’d be amiss not to mention Legs as well}. So, now I’m progressing outdoors to test my green thumb...or lack there of.

Today: sunflowers and wildflowers (and a sunburn).

Tomorrow: herbs, tomatoes, and strawberries.

I have developed a strange affinity with buds, seeds, pods, eggs…shells. Lately, I’m mesmerized by growth; it’s shining out my fingertips in the form of art and in the spirit of life around me.

There has also been a lasting cling to all notions of flight...

feathers, flight, wings, moths, a brush stroked sky.
But you’ll learn this all, if you want, as it emerges in my art and my words and my life.

I think this is good for now.

This is good for me.

This is a journal, a documentary, an outreach…
Feel free to stop by anytime if you fancy.

FLY,

SB