Janis Zroback

My Journey on RedBubble so far.....

Today I started to reflect on my Journey on RedBubble since I joined in March 2008, and I came to the realization that it has taken many unexpected turns….

I had found RB through reading the posts on Empty Easel, and thought “why not?”
I was already listed on a number of artists’ sites and thought “this will be just another community of artists to join”...

The first thing that was striking about RB was the absence of advertising and the ease of negotiating the site…uploads were fast as well…I hate waiting….

But soon I came to the real reason most of us love RB…the community….the uncompromising support for each other’s endeavours, and also for me, the perfect venue to showcase the collections of work I do outside of my main portfolio…

I was also given the opportunity to instruct, something I also love to do, with my writings on Chinese Brush Painting, and I hope to be able to continue writing How-To articles on many different topics…

So as the Journey continues, I would like to once again thank all those wonderful people who have me on their watchlists, and always take the time to comment on my latest offerings, {you know who you are} I now number you among my friends, and also those who have just found me and continue to compliment my work… all the group moderators who have chosen my work to feature….among them are All Things Orange, Fine Arts, Artists of the Orient, Illustration, All things Poetic Prose and Philosophical, Homepage {twice}, Mature Woman, and A Novel Idea…. those who have bought my work…..this is beginning to sound like and Oscar speech and if I don’t stop I will start thanking all the “little people” very soon, and believe me there are none….....

I hope this Journey continues to be as enjoyable as it has been so far…Janis

Carmen Cilliers, 4 months ago

Well, welldone, true. There’s not lots of advertising but be careful of which groups you join. I have good ones…. so no spam. Yes, this is wonderful, you can view millions of art works, you can write, do poems, keep a journal and you can post comments, but do not, under any circumstances ask for an honest opinion. Everyone here is sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo nice, seriously, they are! well everyone on my watchlist is,s ….but , since we are so busy there will seldom be time to give you any serious critiqu e on any genuine flaws or errors in your work. Of course, there probably never is anyway, but should you be in doubt I am sure everyone will tell you that wonderful and yes, you SHOULD print 10.000 copies because they are brilliant. All this is said with tongue in cheek and fondness for all those on RB, but of course like a great piece of fish it’s nothing without a squeeze of lemon. Hello. I am lemon. X aka Carmen. Welcome to RB – we know you will love it!
Carmen Cilliers, 4 months ago

Oh I hope people realize I am just jesting and being friendly : )
blamo, 4 months ago

I have enjoyed viewing your work from day one good to have you here
Janis Zroback in reply to Carmen Cilliers’s comment, 4 months ago

Thanks Carmen for your insight and advice…
I never ask for critiques and do not want them…I have been painting too long for that…I do know that everyone who has commented on my work are displaying what appears to be a genuine emotional reaction to the work, and that’s what I care most about….
I think with experience you learn to separate “the wheat from the chaff” but truly I have not detected any insincerity from anyone who has commented on my work…

If my work ever contains any flaws, I know better than any one what they are, so I don’t need or want to have them pointed out on the net….yes there probably are worms in the bud here, that’s life, but I have not come up against any so far, and if I do I will deal with them…right now all I want to do, is to address the wonderful experience I’ve had so far….
Janis Zroback in reply to Carmen Cilliers’s comment, 4 months ago

I’m sure they will….
Janis Zroback in reply to blamo’s comment, 4 months ago

Thanks Blamo…if there ever were an RB convention, you would be one of the first people I would like to meet…
mlgkats, 4 months ago

hi janis i really like how you did this , your work is awesome and well always love to see it and you are also a great friend as well
blamo, 4 months ago

Thankyou Janet
Janis Zroback in reply to mlgkats’s comment, 4 months ago

Thanks Melanie, for all your lovely comments on my work
mlgkats, 4 months ago

you are so welcome
Joanne A. Bradley, 4 months ago

Your work is brilliant and deserves a lot of exposure Janis! You are more than welcome as you provide us with insight, creativity and inspiration! Thank You!
Janis Zroback in reply to Joanne A. Bradley’s comment, 4 months ago

Thank you Joanne…we Canadians are usually very reticent, so I’m doubly complimented by your wonderful words praising my work…
coppertrees, 4 months ago

Janis , I can say for myself I have and continue to enjoy your art and wit. I find it a pleasure to view art everyday,yours and many others are doing a great job showing the world that there is still free thinkers about doing ,creating and showing the world their magic.
Janis Zroback in reply to coppertrees’s comment, 4 months ago

Thank you Vickie for your kind words….I look forward to your lovely comments everyday….
Ron Fitzgerald, 4 months ago

Janis

Its been a great journey for as us well. As you know your wonderful lyrical images simply sing to me. On a personal level the last month or so has been one of upheaval (all of it good) and your art has been a quite refuge for me. I also presented the poem at my Sons Wedding, his new wife loved it. I also had the opportunity to shoot the sunrise on thier wedding day, had it framed and included the poem with it. We presented it to the newly married couple at the recovery party on the day after the wedding, they and all the guests were very impressed. So its interesting to see how your art and poetry have traveled around the world.

Its also good to see you enjoying the images of Ron Moss as well

Kind regards

Ron
Janis Zroback in reply to Ron Fitzgerald’s comment, 4 months ago

Thanks so much Ron…I am so pleased about the poem and glad that my paintings have brought pleasure to the nicest group of people I’ve met in a long time…what can I say about Ron Moss, that I’ve not already said? I am really glad you led me to his pages…his paintings continue to delight me everyday….

Janis
Karin Taylor, 4 months ago

RB is just great, and I’m so glad you love it also…..to be dead honest with you Janis, i really do not know where i’d be now without it, it’s buoyed me up during the lowest times, and people on this site have personally rescued me time and time again with love and concern, through private bmails and genuinity….

as you mentioned, i do not ask for critique either, i believe there is a group on RB where you can have your worked critiqued tho.

For me personally, critique is destructive in all it’s forms, it’s not something I handle at all well, no matter how well intended, or how nicely it’s said…sometimes i need it, but I do so much better on the whiff of any oily rag of encouragement, than I ever do with a gentle but well meant criticism, i am overly-sensitive to say the least…....

I only ever wish to encourage others, because we are all trying to be the best we can, even if that’s not obvious to others…and if some of us aren’t trying to be the best they can, that’s their journey….i have enough worries of my own :D

It’s lovely to document your journey as you have Janis, you seem to be a thinker, and i love that …..the way you think, it’s great, the way the paint is great, and the way you relate ideas and get community involved is wonderful too….keep up the great work!!!!
Ushna Sardar, 4 months ago

great Journey!!!!!
Shylie Edwards, 4 months ago

totally agree with your commetns …..i do like that this site is so simple…well designed!!
Enjoy your journey!!
Janis Zroback in reply to Ushna Sardar’s comment, 4 months ago

Thank you so much…
Janis Zroback in reply to Karin Taylor’s comment, 4 months ago

Thank you Karin…as always you provide wonderful insight….as I said before, I am here to market my work and be an equal member of a community of artists…

Many people here are beginners and they may want and need critique, but I certainly don’t at this stage of my life….certain types of so-called flaws can actually enhance work, and I sometimes prefer to leave them….for example, in my most recent work I deliberately left the pencil marks in some areas, and left other areas unpainted, so that the focus would be on the center of interest…

But even if you do want critique, this to me anyway, is not the platform for it…it may be better to take a class led by an expert who can critique your work in private..but I leave that up to individual preferences….
Janis Zroback in reply to Shylie Edwards’s comment, 4 months ago

Thanks Shylie…I hope that there are many who have the same sentiments as you do….
Karin Taylor, 4 months ago

i agree, a professional appraisal would be best…i like to leave pencil work in sometimes too, a gallery almost took a piece of work down because of it….i left it up to them, but it was suggested that i ‘fix’ it…i just let them know, it was ‘meant’ to be there, and I wasn’t removing it …...lol…..
Sorina Williams, 4 months ago

Rb is pretty a cool internet bubble, with so many interesting and talented people. HAppy RB’ing!
Janis Zroback in reply to Karin Taylor’s comment, 4 months ago

That Gallery definitely did not know their stuff….
Janis Zroback in reply to Sorina Williams’s comment, 4 months ago

Thank you Sorina…