Jo O'Brien

^{Questions by Jo O’Brien
Answers by Cathie Tranent}

How does being a creative person and pursuing your creativity affect other aspects of your life?

As a part time wage slave and full time wife and mother, I find the pursuit of my “artistic” side gives me some “Cathie” time, that I might not necessarily have taken otherwise.

I have always been an “average” person, average grades, sporting non performer, and to find something that people tell me I’m good at is a real boost to self!!

I am being very careful to make sure that the thronging masses are cared for, fed, watered and wearing clean clothes, but I can assure you that my housework standards have slipped a little since the advent of my RB addiction.

Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on redbubble particularly special or meaningful

Only one?

There have been so many amazing moments … my first sale to someone I didn’t know, the inspiration and fun I have shared with so many people, meeting on-line friends in person for the very first time … making new friends almost every day.

Show & tell us about five works on redbubble that have moved or inspired you

The first one would have to be Danny’s Binalong Avenue. I think it touches a chord in all our memories, of Christmases past, and family scattered.

Absolutely anything from Incognita. Again – a little bit of Cog in all of us I think.

TBO’s Geishas. All of them – traditionally beautiful, yet somehow modern and empowered.

I can’t split the next two – so they’ll just have to be 4a and 4b.
No Frills Art and Ruby Red have shown me that having a social conscience and making people aware of the big issues doesn’t have to mean standing on a street corner with a sign.

The Pen is Mightier than the Sword 3
Rhinobra

I’m also amazed at the rate at which this pair upload quality thought provoking work.

And last, but by no means least, the other most inspiring people on this site would have to be the people who started this amazing Redbubble thing, the Helvetica Cliche- . Not only for having the vision, but for employing the right people to help it grow, teethe and grow some more. (And besides that – they still find time to make art themselves!!)

Keep an eye on Cathie’s Journal. She’ll be posting a survey like this too soon. I wonder who she’ll interview?