#freakfactor

[trashcanmedia]

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Todd (he/she/they/any)

“I'm a hobbyist visual artist & I like to work mainly with traditional media (but digital art is fun too). I'm driven to create both as a form of self-expression and as a way to observe & capture reality.”

Based in Montreal, QC

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where the trees form a ring above the asphalt i am still walking in the evening i hear the cicadas, i see the flies

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Trashcan Media, Todd, Beautiful Trash for Beautiful People, vol.5 published October 1st 2024 ‘FREAKFACTOR’

[yttrendstoday]

Do you Know What an AAR Is? | Steve Eckert Show

[lilybenedetti]

Written Response to Freak Factor (Blog 10A)

Link to David Rendall’s “Freak Factor: Discovering Uniqueness byFaulting Weakness” - http://changethis.com/manifesto/45.02.FreakFactor/pdf/45.02.FreakFactor.pdf

Rendall’s fourth suggestion titled “Forget it: Don’t Try to Fix Your Weaknesses” is one that I find to be valid. The point he makes about how it can sometimes be painful to try work on or eliminate our weaknesses is very relatable. If anyone ever manages to eliminate their weakness altogether, it probably wouldn’t be worth the pain of losing a piece of themselves after doing so. As Rendall insists, we all have particular strengths that correspond with our weaknesses. I believe it would be much more simple and effective to try to embrace one’s weaknesses in order to find their true strengths, rather than try to eliminate their weaknesses and risk losing their strengths in doing so. I’ve always believed that our weaknesses make us stronger in a way, so it is interesting to hear Rendall’s take on this, since he believes that weaknesses should be embraced since they have corresponding strengths. This is an interesting way to think about it and one that I can get behind.

I also find Rendall’s seventh suggestion, titled “Fit: Find the Right Spot”, to be very effective. Most people tend to hate their flaws, simply because they are afraid of what others will think about it. I agree that the first step to dismissing this thought is to eventually embrace all of your flaws, rather than making a desperate attempt to change them. Luckily, we now live in a world that is learning to (slowly but surely) accept people for who they are. With that said, it is easier to embrace your flaws when the rest of the world isn’t as quick to judge as they used to be. This doesn’t automatically mean that the process is easy though, because our flaws often make us wonder if we’ll ever fit in anywhere. But as Rendall puts it, no one should have to change in order to fit in comfortably. In fact, opportunities are likely to come naturally when our flaws begin to make us stronger in ways.

Rendall’s eighth suggestion titled “Freak: The Power of Uniqueness” is very valid in my opinion and one that resonates with me, personally. A point that he makes that I’ve also always been told is that people are often intrigued by the things that make us stand out, rather than deterred by them. I’ve also been told that over time, and especially in today’s society, people tend to have a greater respect for the people who stand out. I believe this is because standing out and being unique builds character and adds substance to a person’s personality. I also agree with Rendall when he says that efforts to fix flaws usually fail, since this is more than true from what I’ve witnessed. I think this is because those with noticeable flaws tend to grow with those flaws and accept them as apart of themselves over time. Thus, by trying to fix someone’s flaws, you are essentially trying to change everything about who they are as a person and that’s just not fair. After all, normal is very boring.  

As far as the creative process goes, I think my biggest weakness is caring too much about what people think. This is something I’ve struggled with my whole life, so it definitely translates into my own creative process. Sometimes I end up worrying too much about what people will think about my work, to the point where I can’t even enjoy what I’m doing. On the other hand, I think my greatest strength is that I am humble when it comes to my creative works. I am inspired by so many great artists, so when I succeed at something, I feel like I wouldn’t have gotten to that place on my own. I know that I can always do better, which only pushes me to work harder the next time around. 

[trashcanmedia]

Ava Shahres (they/her) - FREAKFACTOR vol.5

@bastanipop

“Hi! My name is Ava, and I am big fat lesbian who likes to dress up and make funny pictures.”

Based in North Vancouver British Colombia.

Full Disclosure - A piece about one of the freakiest things of all; Insecurity. I illustrated this when I was a teen as a sort of stylized snapshot of my internal conflicts. I'd always let my warped, euro-centric perceptions of beauty inform my own self worth, and over time those expectations changed into something ghoulish and scary. I wanted to create a character that demonstrated how warped my perception of "beauty" had become, and how I was letting it bleed into my subconscious. These feelings never go away, but my hormonal yearning for thin, white prettiness has thankfully gotten quieter.

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What are you scared of?

The texture of tomatoes and failing a backflip.

What do you believe in? What don't you believe in?

I believe we weren't put on this earth for a purpose, and that we should just live for our own joy. I don't believe we should have to justify our existence.

How are you embracing your inner "freak"?

By dressing super silly and being very queer.

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Trashcan Media, Ava Shahres, Beautiful Trash for Beautiful People, vol.5 published October 1st 2024 ‘FREAK FACTOR’

[trashcanmedia]

Andy Poystila (he/him) - FREAKFACTOR vol.6

@percifax

@ percifax

Andy is a transmasc queer artist and graphic designer who loves to draw and play.

Based on Unceded lands of the hənqəminəm and Sḵwxwú7mesh Sníchim speaking peoples.

What are you scared of?

NEEDLES!!! needles... so badly. we need more trans representation of being scared as fuck of hormone shots. I get so scared - i have missed the last two becasue of my mental block.

How are you embracing your inner "freak"?

weird sex.

What do you believe in? What don't you believe in?

In terms of the spiritual and supernatural, I believe in the energies related to tarot readings and horoscopes. I believe in the energy which was once a living person now gone.

Trashcan Media, Andy Poystila, Beautiful Trash for Beautiful People, vol.5 published October 1st 2024 ‘FREAKFACTOR’

[strengthaddictsdotcom]

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According to #BostinLoyd @team3ccbostin, ReganGrimes @regangbodybuilding has no #freakfactor ... something I disagreed with on #NoBullWeekly show this week on @musculardevelopment ... so let's see Bostin match this video. #Latspread #Challenge 😎 w/ @jerrywardii @marclobliner @smashingweightsjeffwright @1dayumay @bpi_chris @ronharrismuscle @huge285 @johnny_styles @digitalmusclemedia @joe_pietaro @camerica_muscle @gregg_valentino @kevingrech @risingmuscle (at East Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky)