Set I designed and art directed for Eddie Bauer fall 2004 catalogs

Set I designed and directed for EB spring 2005, originally uploaded by tinalouise.

Sometimes it's not easy to explain what I do; what my career is. So a picture is worth a thousand words. As a prop stylist I have to be both a designer and an Art director. The pace is quick and the needs are many.

In this example a client asked me for a 'tent' and showed me location photos (the stone building in the flint hills of Kansas.) I used the photos and the photo direction to design a structure which would look as if it had been a part of the property, keeping in mind that it would have to be versatile for the photographer and art director on location. Once the client handed off my design it was time to get on an airplane and get the crew together.

I sourced the material and location within four hours of landing in Kansas, getting a rental car, and relying on my maps to navigate this new area by myself. I do love that challenge.

I had an awesome construction manager, who was hired from his credentials in film and television and I could not have worked with a more professional, easy going and talented person. I was lucky to have him. This freestanding tent was a behemoth, sturdy and beautiful and that is equal parts design and fabrication.

So to make a long story even longer, I handed off my tent designs to Scott, obtained a construction area, handed off the materials I chose and he did all of the construction. I just checked in to see the progress and keep the crew running smoothly. With limited time I had many meetings with crews and client and I also had a ton of prop shopping to get done.

I also made a deal with the Jack and Mary, (who I purchased the pine from,) if they could use the tent on their property (the Circle S Ranch in Lawrence, Kansas) then we would get a discount on the final material costs. If they did not want to use it then we would just buy the pine outright and have it shipped back to Eddie Bauer. They were happy with it as it turns out and last I heard they are using it for a wedding tent. Hooray...green design makes me happy. Most sets are just junked at the end.

As far as construction details, this tent was 8' high, 12' wide and 8' deep. The yellow pine used was 8" in diameter.