Saturday, February 18, 2012

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rosehips

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I wanted to make something on Wednesday but didn't have anything around the studio. I wanted to make something beautiful and take pictures of it; an exercise that always makes me feel good. I was tired, emotionally and physically drained and so I went to work. The rosehips down by the pier caught my eye a few weeks ago - weathered only mildly by the temperate winter we've been having, and of no use to the birds. Nea and I walked down there with clippers and a camera. I went to work (cutting is illegal on park lands, so I'm not necessarily advocating this) and Nea dillegently wandered the grounds until she found some questionable excrement to devour. I hesitate to tell you that part beacause she looks so goddamn regal in that photo above, but hey life is full of smoke and mirrors. We all have had our shit eating days, I suppose.

I've been in a mood for a while. I am looking forward to moving to the farm and getting busy on the next phase of my work. Suffice it to say, making flowers and participating in this floral racket is leaving me unsatisfied lately. I feel so unlike what this is. I wish I could explain myself better, but I probably should just shut up about it.

When we were breaking down the valentines day shenanigans I saved that red ranunculus. I wish photos could do it justice. It traveled back to Brooklyn in a vase of random refugees at my feet in the truck. Each flower passes through so many places and hands to get to where it gives it's final performance. A spectacular vermilion ranunculus. From New Jersey!

22 comments:

charlotte au chocolat said...

Your arrangements are just so beautiful, as are your photos. Hope that all of this endless beauty that you create pierces through your mood, and leaves you feeling inspired and excited.

Unknown said...

I wish that things were always as inspiring and fulfilling as we want and need them to be. Sometimes we just need a bit of a change, a new direction, and it can bring us back around to appreciating the "usual" things again, whatever they might be. Hope your farm, and it's new challenges gives you this satisfaction. I think I understand that restlessness... and wish that we may we all find that peace in the routine of our lives. In the meantime, that ranunculus is gorgeous, and I will enjoy that for now!

Volare said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Alejandra said...

To Sarah and all your lovely ladies-
Thank you so much for creating the most stunning arrangement I have ever had the pleasure of receiving. My boyfriend brought it home as part of his proposal today...so I guess really, I should say my fiance brought it home to me today. I want to send you a more thorough thank you as soon as I can take better photos (morning light!) to share with you. I can spend hours admiring your work. Thank you so much for sharing your art with us :)
-Alejandra

Lia said...

Those sweet peas are just lovely...

ana isabel said...

you always take the most beautiful pictures of the most beautiful flowers. thank you.

Camille said...

A break. Maybe that's what you need. This career is all-consuming, and really, should any one thing in our lives be all-consuming? (sometimes I even get sick of flowers, she says quietly in parantheses)

Gang and the Wool said...

This is the essence! *
I love your post

Jo said...

Nea does look regal. But you can't keep a dog from being a dog.
Likewise, you can't keep a job from becoming a "job". Even the things that inspired us at one time, can drag us down when repeated a few million times. Hang in there, doll. The farm house is calling your name.

Anonymous said...

Hey Otis! Dogs and flowers. On some days you don't need another thing.

sarahbeth said...

so the thing is - well - miz november said it best. sometimes we're bippity boppity boo fairy godmothers and it's righteous and it fulfills - and sometimes - it's just life and it's just grey. When I get too big for my breeches or too small for my duds I think on that great quote from whats-his-name, "Man - despite his artistic pretensions, his sophistication, and his many accomplishments - owes his existence to a six inch layer of topsoil and the fact that it rains."

Yepper.

amygoround said...

My dog, Mr. Milkshake, ate a bag of tea light candles yesterday (including the metal). Despite that (and despite his silly name), I think he looks regal all the time :)

Fallon Shea Anderson said...

high-five!
you'll kick that mood sure enough-nothing is better than life on the farm xo

rebecca s. said...

your pooch is regal and that is one gorgeous photo.

you work magic with your flowers and you will work magic at your farm. sounds like a much needed break is in order. i hope its in the cards for you.

and i nosed around and read other peoples comments and absolutely LOVED reading what newly-engaged (congratulations!) alejandra had to say. that has to feel good. also, my husband sucks for not giving me one of your creations when he proposed, (even though we are on the west coast).

Unknown said...

Well, you've killed it again.

You are so immensely talented in floral design, photography & to be so brutally honest in you writing (again & again)....it just boggles the mind.

Needless to say we have all had our shit eating days.....but you make it look so good.


Looking forward to the next chapter in farm ville {wink}.

Best,
e

nileta said...

amazing pictures with amazing colors!

Sara Lacey said...

Ennui?

Sarah Ryhanen said...

sara, i had to look that word up. and yes.

Alejandra; Congratulations!! your fiance was such a sweetheart; best best wishes to you both!!

thanks everyone for your nice words, they always cheer me.

DrawingRobbi said...

Oh, you had me laughing so hard at the shit-eating days! It's the shit that keeps us real, I suppose, and leave it to a dog to remind us as much.

Love your writing, love your photos. Know that you're inspiring even when you don't feel it.

fleur_delicious said...

this is exquisite. just ... exquisite.

Shayna said...

Just thought I'd let you know your photo oh Nea was "featured" on the ANIMALS TALKING IN ALL CAPS blog today.

http://animalstalkinginallcaps.tumblr.com/post/18237118185/what-is-that-is-that-an-ipad-damn-it-carol

Kim said...

Whatever you do in this adventure of a life, please continue to take photos of flowers. Please, please, please.