Creative Framing

Penelope and Coco: The Oxfords from Penelope and Coco on Vimeo.

A Mermaid's Dream

Caitlin Mccaul is natural artist & craftswoman with an incredible eye and ability to conceptualize and make anything. She made this completely by hand.

Light as a feather, stiff as a board

............t.........................a.............................. r..................................o.......................... t.....................

My best friend's grandma always told me that Ouija boards opened a portal to evil spirits and playing with Tarot cards would summon demons... She also thought Firbys were the devil.

However, her fear only furthered my curiosity. I've been playing with the Ouija board, obsessed with horoscopes, and shuffling Tarot ever since I saw The Craft and The Witches...ill admit I desperately tried to cast spells on my babysitter as well.

It wasn't until I actually studied these "crafts" this summer that I understood how these things are meant to be used, especially Tarot. While taking the bazaar class "COLT 101: Intro to Fortune Telling" I learned the rationals behind the folklorist traditions.

Ultimately, it comes down to intuitive story telling and some good ol' studying. Each of the Tarot cards is packed full of unique symbolism. Once you memorize what the cards stand for, it is easy to make up stories within the random combination in which your subject arranges them.
Example:


The "devil" represents a foreseen lack of power and control of your situation due to ignorance and lack of self-awareness in your actions.

The "fool" represents a childish perception; pure and innocent, trusting and fearless. A new begging and potential. The fool is on the edge of the cliff, this signifies confrontation with risk and change.

When you put the two together, although they can be interpreted countless ways, they tell a story. If you were doing a reading you could say something like this, "You have hit a turning point in your life in which you must regain your power and awareness in order to take the risks that will lead you on a new path of success."

Fortune telling using Tarot can be entertaining but I have found that the cards are best used for brainstorming. When you think of the cards as characters, plot, conflict and setting it is fun to try out a number of combination and let the imagination take over.

Use this technique to jump start the creative process. Whether it be a story, project or half-baked idea, I guarantee it will push you to think in a new way and help to create surprising outcomes.

FICKNISH

*I used Nick Fisher's original work to curate this personality piece.

Nick Fisher and I have some weird things in common, perhaps the most is that we are both truly kids at heart. A few years ago, we were in figure drawing class together with a nude model who was posing in the gnarliest position. She was on all fours with one leg lifted up, her #&@*$ staring straight at us. Of course, we instantly look at each other with comical excitement and struggle to keep our smirks from turning into outbursts of immature laughter.

Not many adults are able to tap into their inner child at a moments notice. But it takes a intuitively free imagination to see things differently. Fisher's raw confidence and talent compliments his rowdy optimistic attitude that doesn't allow for a dull moment. This kid is always on the go, making, doing, biking, brewing, designing, rapping and blogging. Recipe to success if you ask me...

One of my favorite endeavors of his was the Fisher beer taste test this spring. He had become a brewing fanatic and had saved 1 bottle from each batch, 19 total, he had brewed during his time in Eugene. A group of friends gathered around while he would explain the type of beer we could try next, my favorite was the coffee stout. He lives back in Marin County, CA now but his regularly updated blog has kept me connected to his world of inventions, creations and inspirations.

Like Nick and my Uncle always say, "only boring people get bored." When you really live up to that statement you'll find yourself getting a lot more out of life.

that half nausious, half beautiful feeling

The guy that told me I would love Miranda July was spot on. This woman's philosophy sings straight to what inspires me. She even brakes a heel—Katie-typical.

Miranda July - Pretty Cool People Interviews from SubmarineChannel on Vimeo.

Miranda creates with purpose and genuine curiosity that I adore. Her projects have been meaningful, influential and most importantly real.

"My favorite thing in the world is when I look at a piece of art, read a story or watch a movie where I walk away feeling like I have to do something, I have to make something or talk to someone... things are not the same anymore."

She bases her work on this propelling feeling that deeply inspires an audience.

"What I like best is the complicated messed up truth, the one that's so imperfect you know it's true."

Some expedition that I love by Miranda:

"The Hallway"

"How to make buttons"

I want to hang out with this chick.

VIDEO: MAKE MORE NOISE

Da Book Club from katie freedle on Vimeo.

Starring: Jamie Slade, Katie Freedle, Teddy Black, Alex Bertoni, Carla Arriaza and Marisa Ruef.

Special Thanks to Brian McAndrew.

I don't wanna grow up but camp academia is coming to an end...

I am graduating tomorrow...I have the real-world jitters. My best plan is to not have one.

Here is what needs to happen:
I need to explore ways to extend my hobbies.



...that's it.


PDX, SF, NY or Spain, Argentina, Japan...no idea really a new environment in general is just so appealing.

I get overwhelmed by the fact that such small desiccants in your life and lead to unexpected rewards. This is why I am leaving the UO with an "empty brain", ready to take on whatever opportunity crosses my path.One decision leads you down a unexpected turn of events that dictates the weaving directions of your future.

The University of Oregon was a last-minute, spontaneous fuck-I-guess-I-should-go-to-college decision. Eugene was the last place on earth I wanted to end up. So many kids from my high school had been accepted and anxiously awaiting dorm move in day from hell which made me even more hesitant. I applied significantly after the deadline and walked up to Bean Moore,the dorm designed after a jail cell plan, arms crossed with much doubt in my mind. I knew I needed to get far away from home, meet new types of people and feel inspired but I was so convinced that UO was not the place for me-I was quite the stubborn teen. I initially wanted to move straight to New York, even though my application for NYU was quickly denied, to live spontaneously. I had lived, on my own, in Brooklyn Heights for a few months when I was 16 and fell in love with the upbeat, ever-jumbled rhythm of the smelly, people-packed streets of the big city.

The UO journey has been unforgettable. Each term has been completely different from the next and so have I. I have felt at a constant growth throughout my time here. I continuity feel inspired, optimistic, loved and challenged.....

The social dynamic that makes up such a unique community of diversity, warmth and unique sense of "place" makes the University so special. I have made valuable connections with the professors, students and Eugenians that are irreplaceable.

221 credits and about 38 pair of Eugene-weathered boots later, here I am. Ready to embark on my next serendipitous endeavor.


Wish me luck!

Gals 'n Black

Open publication - Free publishing - More steamer

This shoot taught me how difficult it is to light a group without a soft box and only 2 lights. I enjoyed the challenge.

EDITING IS EVERYTHING

The choppy way fashion filmmaker, Ruth Hogben, splices the frames juxtaposed with the slow feminine movements makes for a uniquely interesting piece.

"Einstein's Desk Was Famously Messy..."

Desk - Music and Sound Design from Aaron Trinder Film:Motion:Music on Vimeo.

An earlier post examines the way your desktop reflects your personality, this video explores the same idea by examining the real-life desks of creative people. Your personal workspace is an intimate sanction of creative flow. Everyone's juices work in different ways which is reflected by what they choose to surround themselves with. Einstein's desk was a messy clutter of sporadic ideas, designer, Massimo Vignelli's is "strong", simple and clean.

Photographs of friend's desks to come!

H&M Takes Over Saks Portland

High-end retailer, Saks Fifth Avenue, had some killer sales but I am thrilled that it has retired to the mercy of H&M's great deals, fresh trends and inspiring atmosphere. People are camping outside the store as we speak , waiting in anticipation for the grand opening...kinda weird.

This promotional video for designer, Lanvin's debut at H&M is playful, sleek, feminine and raw just like his clothing and H&M's collective vibe. A brilliant collaboration.

Experimentation

Since I snap like a mad man when I get excited, I put this together. Kinda neat.

No More Orgasmic Screams

Open publication - Free publishing - More throw cloth

With one stop at the farmers market, two at Hiron's and one at that creepy craft store on Franklin Blvd., this was one messsssssssy shoot. We completely ruined the crisp white paper roll but totally worth it!

Sneak Peek: Weekend Photo Shoot

...more to come

This Is Not A Suit

This sleek campaign for A. Sauvage is simplistic, smart and mysterious. It is nearly impossible to find any info about it; it is simply thrown on the designers website to intrigue its audience to dig for more.

THE ART OF DE — A FILM BY A. SAUVAGE from A. SAUVAGE on Vimeo.

However, it is obvious to me that A. Sauvage took inspiration for this video from Jørgen Leth's short film The Perfect Human. For this reason I love it even more because, to me, it references something I already know and adore, but adds a refreshing spin.



Take note of the distinct similarities.

why people don't.....

After the last post, I was curious to find out more about why more people don't attempt to fix their own things before resorting to buying a new one.

When I began to start a google search, these are the first topics to show up.

Very interesting...

DIY A.K.A. DBL (don't be lazy)

The push for a stronger DIY, do-it-yourself, community is not new news, but it is important to keep the momentum going. The Story of Stuff will hopefully make you think twice about throwing away anything that could easily be saved with a little research.



A buy-it, break-it, buy-a-new-one mentality is unfortunately common amongst capitalist societies. We have been tricked into thinking only professionals can fix our broken products. things are designed to break, forcing us to buy a new one of seek help, and spending too much money, to get it fixed.

What many don't know, or don't bother to research because it is easier to just buy another, is that many things can be fixed on your own. I have had my video ipod for about 7.43 years. It has treated me so well, except recently the headphone jack had gone haywire. The prongs of the inside of the jack were so worn that it was only outputting sound to one headphone. I refused to dig an early grave for my elderly pod, which was holding on for dear life. It has 6,783 of my favorite songs and goes with me everywhere, why should I just buy a new one? First, I took it to the digital duck on campus. The tech guy told me there was no hope for it, I could find an Apple store and pay about $200 to replace the jack. F that, that's how much I paid for it 7.43 years ago, including the "Katie Freedle" engraved back, yea it was cool back then I swear.

SO! I went on Ebay, bought the replacement jack for 3.40 dollars, got it shipped in 3 days and started the risky operation.

If I were to mess up, just a little bit, the old fogie would have been kaput forever but the YouTube tutorial videos gave the the hope I needed to succeed.

After stabbing myself with the green tool and bleeding a bit, I finally pried open the pod, which exposed all the goodies.


It's really not as intimidating as it looks. It took me about 30 minutes to slowly and meticulously replace the jack but in the end I felt completely accomplished and had brought my pod back to life!

Welcome back, it's nice to hear you again.

I didn't need an Apple technician and $200 dollars to fix my ipod, all I needed was the internet.

Thank you Ebay and YouTube for helping me out!


Check these guys, and these guys, they are professional technology HACKERS.

lou reed interview

Oh Lou Reed...No better way to handle difficult personal questions.

"Who writes these things about you if they are not true?"

"Journalists."

"Is this perhaps why you don't like journalists?"

"No, I love journalists."

Always save "personality" to your desktop

Showing you my desktop is like lifting up my skirt, it's very personal but here it is:



How it correlates with who I am:

I'm very visually organized. Folders bug me because I need to see everything that's in them at once otherwise they don't exist. Whatever I am currently working on needs to be right in my face or I will forget about it and will get lost in the 298,045,234 inspirational image downloads I have. I bet most people would cringe at how messy it is but I get scared when things are too clean. I fiend pleasing aesthetic so I chose a favorite piece of art as my background and a color coordinated dock. The more technologically heavy programs and projects show I have computer skills.

I've noticed that more of my work-related stuff is on the right side, the images on the left. It might have something to do with how the brain processes information. I know that words seen in your right visual field is more easily processed by the left hemisphere. Left-brained people are right handed, like me, so it would make sense for me to naturally put files with titles on the right and the images on the left.

Never though you could learn so much about someone from a desktop huh? It may seem odd but because desktops are such personal spaces, it makes sense that they would make for an interesting analysis.

Out of curiosity, I asked a slew of friends to take screen shots of their desktop:






You should get an instant sense of personality just by taking a quick peak into their virtual world.


Things to note while viewing:

Media usage is there a DVD in or music/video downloads? It can show type of media usage.

Positioning of files what side are they on, are they in clusters? How do they organize? Rows, or grid lock could suggest a need for control.

Size and number of icons could big icons suggest a big ego... or an aid for the easily distracted?

Background image is it still on default? how personalized is it?

Titles of files & folders how descriptive are they?

Technological level what type of programs are on their doc?

This is of course up to interpretation but here are my hunches:

The more private keep files in folders, possibly in hopes of keeping their personal life under wraps and out of display.

Keeping the background image set on default could mean there is more of a detachment between the computer world and personal life, not a bad thing...at all.

The less organized and more laid back have less folders and more clutter because order is not necessarily a priority to them.

Columns and rows of neat folders could be related to a need for control and order.

Photos of themselves/others may suggest heavier social media usage, popularity and confidence.

Use of strictly descriptive and to-the-point titles, as opposed to irrelevant silly ones, may suggest seriousness and lack of humor.

What does your desktop say about you?


If you would like to help further my research, send a screen shot of your desktop to kfreedle@uoregon.edu.

Time line of my childhood awakening

the first time i was called weird i cried.
the second time i was called weird i didn't cry.
the third time i was called weird i was giving my sister scraggly Audry Hepburn bangs in the basement, she had a special party to go to.
the fourth time i was called weird i was wearing boy's light-up shoes and a Space Jam tall tee.
the fifth time i was called weird i was pooping in a bush at a yard sale and asked for toilet paper.
the sixth time i was called weird i was taking shots of soy sauce at lunch.
the seventh time i was called weird i was in the bathroom coloring my hair with magic markers.
the eight time i was called weird i was directing a film called "The Revenge of the Furby", i was the star.
the ninth time i was called weird i was talking to power ranger action figures that sat in my trees.
the tenth time i was called weird i was refusing to filter anything i said.
the eleventh time i was called weird i was in the principles office, 3 times a week.
the twelfth time i was called weird i was forging a referral, put it in a Christmas envelope and signed it, in my best (worst) handwriting, "mrs. freedle".
the thirteenth time i was called weird i was playing to much Nintendo and was way too good at it, for a girl.
the fourteenth time i was called weird i was making Barbie and Ken fly across the room into the link-n-log fort, naked.
the fifteenth time i was called weird i was showing my mother how to install computer software, i was 11.
the sixteenth time i was called weird i was finally kinda pretty and smart, at the same time.
the seventeenth time i was called weird i was practicing math problems, for fun.
the eighteenth time i was called weird i was caught writing homage to spellcheck, my mother and i are dyslexic as hell and can't spell worth beans.

once i reached the oh so charming age of puberty, i started feeling weird and stopped counting...

It's all true. I am different, but I would have never known unless they told me every day. Thank you normal kids, for making me so sure of myself.