experiment.
"Only those who attempt the absurd will achieve the impossible." — M. C. Escher
I’ve been experimenting for as long as I can remember. Below is a sampling of my experiments, big and small, successful and not, spanning the last decade or so.
I invite you to graze at your leisure.
creativity
Built a geodesic dome out of cardboard in my living room.
Had a tattoo designed and permanently inked onto my skin before ever seeing it.
Started an inspiration tree interview series to call attention the impact we have on each other’s lives.
Completed 100 days of ideating.
Wrote a poem called yellow.
Unraveled my childhood security blanket.
Locked eyes with humans for an undefined amount of time.
Illustrated all the monsters in my head.
Launched an Etsy shop named after two cats.
Designed the topographic maps of literary places.
Spent 3 months building an application for a job I did not get.
Explored neuroscience through art.
Recreated Van Gogh's Starry Night without paint.
community
In progress! Designing and facilitating a month of experiential changemaking workshops for an intergenerational, global community of creatives.
Accidentally produced a 3-day conference for immersive creators?
Co-facilitated a 5 course experiential dinner for creatives who are passionate about changemaking.
Created and currently lead a Queer Underground Rebel Circus (QURC, pronounced "quirk") in Portland, OR.
Co-created a magical adventure on an island for a group of children and their guardians.
Designed and tested an experience in a bag as part of an experiential game store launch.
Sent two strangers on an improv-inspired quest in which structure gradually dissolved into free play.
Facilitated a virtual Identity Lab workshop on exploring self through community.
Sent surprise custom tarot-inspired collages to strangers across the globe.
Co-designed a curated, multisensory poetry experience that traveled the globe in an unassuming box.
Exchanged items that were no longer serving me for handwritten haikus from strangers.
Crafted an interactive holiday gift experience supporting local, womxn and POC-owned businesses.
Designed an experimental house party exploring themes of escape, identity and curiosity.
changemaking
In progress! Sharing a series of inquiry-driven propositions which, I hope, will stimulate tangible future realities.
In progress! Building an experiential outdoor adventure that bridges wonder, athleticism and immersive storytelling to engage people in climate and social activism.
In progress! Co-creating a workshop for the VBC that will inspire Portlanders to imagine a better future for our city.
In progress! Founding fellow of Landfall Labs, an experiential research lab of designers and changemakers exploring how experience design can create change.
Designed an experience that gave participants permission to boldly imagine a different future.
Published a report on how designing for wonder can potentiate systemic change.
Concepted a decentralized local healthcare program, rooted in mutual aid, powered by bicycles.
Planted 51 provocations around Portland.
Founded a global collaborative that empowers climate action through play.
Reimagined global education to be more accessible.
Fortified female empowerment with 1,024 tampons.
Empowered women to take control of their fertility.