Seek and Sow

November. It was colder than most Novembers, and it wasn’t only the trees that knew it. I was feeling winter in my bones. In saving the details of a spiral of circumstances, I found myself feeling rather lost, burned out, unmotivated, and resorting to my all too natural tendency to retreat and isolate myself. This project came at a perfect time. Becky Wallace and I met early on a Saturday morning, headed into her garage, sorted through baskets and buckets of dried flowers and branches she had spent a month foraging from the side of the road, and began a project that had no expectations tied to it outside of us both feeling refreshed and encouraged by the end of the day. Becky built a beautiful garland, and I documented the process. This project came from a of a shared desire to see beauty, and through it, we searched for beauty in the most unlikely places.

My art has played a precious role in how I feel and process my own emotions. When I can’t figure them out, when I can’t figure myself out, I make something. And in that something, I usually recognize myself. Looking back, I know I was searching for life even in the midst of things that were dried out and crumbling around me. That day, we were seekers of beauty and sowers of new dreams.

And for Becky, this project was precious in a different way: “I remember confiding in Sarah as I stocked the wood stove, revealing how I was hoping this month would be the start of a new journey, longing to be a mother. I explained that this creation was an expression of that desire, that it was me putting my heart out there, working through letting go of control while longing for such a significant change.”

Joy is overflowing in my heart to offer the warmest congratulations to Becky and her husband as they are now expecting their first little one.

(I just cried again writing that.)

Many, many thanks to Vegolution for providing the delicious (and beautiful) food. If you are looking for a spot in St. John to grab a lovely lunch, I highly recommend!

We hope you enjoy these photographs as much as we enjoyed this day.