Meet Emily Merletto | Farmer & Florist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Emily Merletto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
The opportunity presented itself as my experience in farming matured and I found my passion for growing flowers. Flower farming and floral artistry meet at this perfect intersection where my love of the natural world meets my inherent drive for artistic expression. I discovered how to work in tandem with nature to grow flowers and create designs that reflect the wildness and impermanence of the everchanging seasons. As a visual artist it is a great joy to play and design with the endless array of color and textures that flowers offer. With each design I hope to invite the viewer to notice the beauty and fragility of the world around us; each flower containing its own tiny yet complex universe.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I enjoy pushing the boundaries and forging new concepts when it comes to making art. I’ve found that I create my best work when I’m riding the line of unknown and uncomfortable. The biggest challenge for me is standing in my own way. I’ve learned to trust the process and let go of expectations of the outcome. Easier said than done! Right now I’m really excited about the endless possiblities that dried flowers offer and can’t wait to see what unfolds. I’ve only now just dipped my toe in this process. I hope that my work can serve as inspiration for others to seek out and utilize natural and sustainable materials when creating art.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was in town I would start their stay off with a trip into Raleigh to visit the NC Museum of Art. We’d walk the outdoor nature and art trails and eat lunch downtown at the Laotian restaurant Bida Manda. We’d spend at least one day kayaking the Haw River, going for lunch and a beer in Saxapahaw, and ending the evening with a musical performance at the Haw River Ballroom. The final day would be spent perusing the various vintage and antique stores in my small town, visiting the Orchid Gallery and having dinner and drinks at the Plant. So much fun in small town NC!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to Jodi Hackney and the team at Phoenix for their amazing support, for uplifting woman owned small businesses, and for sharing their wisdom and encouragement.

Website: www.overthemoonfarmnc.com

Instagram: @overthemoonfarmandflowers

Image Credits
Lea Ciceraro