RedBubble

A good cause
I’m proud to be a part of!, Kia Ora from NZ

Totally agree, Martin. I know I have only sold two post cards so far, BUT and its a Big BUT from today till December the 8th 2008 till January 4th 2009 anything that is sold in my image portfolio, I would like the profit (my share) be donated to a charitable organisation organised by Red bubble.

Beautifully written and inspiring words! I’m thrilled to be here personally;;)

Well written Martin – as I watched the sun rise this morning I was reminded that the things that are most valuable in life often require some stillness to appreciate. For this reason I view the business of Christmas with some caution … and I welcome any message that encourages us to live a less frantic life and spend more time thinking about the enduring.

This is such an inspiring place to be part of, I know I’ve had a rough time over the past few months, and some very special people here on bubble have offered so much kindness and support, truly a beautiful place!

A proud bubbler…

wel said pilgrim !
one of the best things about RB is the abillity to make friends with people all around this little globe of ours and sometimes lear a thing or two from a different perspective.

I understand the one person who stands out to me IS ‘TREVOR IRWIN’:http://www.redbubble.com/people/joshuatree1
There are so many who help you with learning, And with there prayers..
Red Bubble has some awsome people …:)

Amen to that! I can vouch for that personally!!
Wonderful artist and some of the greatest people I have ever known is right here on RB!!! This picture I dedicated to all the Red Bubbler’s that said prayers for my brother who almost died a couple of days ago from a heart attack. The doctor’s told him he was a very lucky man and that he must have an angel sitting on his shoulder. He is only 41 yrs. old.

I love it here…and I found a bit of calm in all of this…If you know Tania Rose….I bought a CD from her….....wow..Now my ride to work is heaven…..

Human touch and touching other humans is important….....nice / moving posting!

I am so proud to be a part of the RB community!! So many wonderful people – so many wonderful causes to display one’s work!! Mine is thegreataustraliancancerbushwalk Thanks Martin!! :o)

Very sweet post, I have been thinking a lot about connections made through the internet recently. This is a wonderful community.

Buddha said something to the effect that the position of teacher is the highest one can obtain. I have yet to meet someone on RB that won’t go out of their way to help someone understand a concept or technique that is new to them.

I love being apart of this community , when I joined I had just had a quadruple heart by pass , I know that being a part of this community helped me have a speedy recovery . I didn’t tell anyone about my surgery as I didn’t know many people then , but getting to know and make friends on here certainly made me recover much more quickly as I concentrated on what I was doing on here rather than ponder on what I had been through . I have redbubble to thank for that . I came accross you quite by chance and it was one of the better days in my life when I did . There have been one or two sticky moments but I sailed through them . I thank you from the bottom of my heart for creating such a wonderful friendly place to be .

Thank you for sharing that. We are all so blessed to be able to sit in front of a computer and do work, rather than living in a 3rd world country ridden with disease, war, aids, starvation, natural disasters, etc. Every single day should be celebrated as a beautiful Christmas gift for those of us who are more fortunate!!

I can relate to a lot of the above comments.
The title of this note, “Healing Art” applies to me. I have ongoing neuro-muscular deterioration secondary to Spinal Cord Injury at Cervical vertebrae 3- 5. Since my prognosis is very bleak; I create my designs as mental therapy, to keep from falling mentally into a cesspool of despair.
If anyone who’s chanced to comment on my efforts reads this: THANK YOU! They make my day.
I’d also like to thank the RB Administration for providing such a relaxing environment on this site.

The bubble is a beautiful place
LOTS OF LOVE PEACE AND JOY
to be found here
thanks everyone
xkc

You’re right Martin, bubble brings out the best in people.
Can I mention HopeforChloe ? She is a 6 year old with Ewings Sarcoma. Many many bubblers have donated their art for her to sell to help her family financially while she goes through cancer therapy and surgery. And I’m sure there are many more. These are examples of why the bubble is so special, because of the people here who care.

just wonderful. thanks so much for inspiring! xx

For all these reasons and simply for the beautiful work and people here, a few days ago after seeing Current TV (the channel owned by Al Gore) do a segment promoting art and crafts websites on their tv programming for holiday gift giving, I logged on to their site and posted the suggestion that they also promote Red Bubble. Hopefully it has driven some traffic this way. J

O It’s a wonderful ‘bubble’ in all the ways you have said and more ;} hugglez

Bravo Martin. I totally concur. Next month s my first year anniverary on the bubble, and like Sazzart above, I was ill and depressed when I discovered RB. Through my involvement here my life has changed for the better – my art is progressing and I have made many lovely friends. And I hope given back some of the kindess and support I have received. When I feel frazzled by the madness of the world, there is no better place in cyber space to spend an hour than in the Bubble!

Martin you have a Utopian vision which is good but alas you fail to see part of this place that is dystopia.

Its a special place- I’m very proud to be part of this community. Have a wonderful christmas Martin xx

Great inspiration Martin ;)

Art with heart is certainly on this fabulous rb site, just goes to show its people like all us bubbles who should be running this wonderful planet of ours,dawnx

Well said Pilgrim, it brings to mind, especially at this time that we need to think outside of ourselves. Thank heavens for RB and the lovely community within

I would also like to mention a new group here on Redbubble called “Art 4 Charity” I am amazed at all the charity work these folks are doing.

Please check them out.

To me, Red Bubble is a truly special place on the internet. I feel lucky to have found it, along with the many wonderful and inspiring people I’ve met here. Thank you.

As an artist who also happens to have an MD degree (which I’ve mostly chosen to ignore), I can relate to what you are saying.

I’ve been trying, for the past 30 years, to develop an art that has healing properties.

Anyone who is interested in this project is invited to visit The Ocean Series

Peace & Love,
Carson

Awwwww :) There’s my little man up there!! :) Thanks Martin. And like Anne, I would like to mention Chloe as well. If anyone want’s to GIVE for Christmas HopeForChloe would be a wonderful gift!!

Well said! I love being apart of such a wonderful community and to see so many people helping each other. I have learned a lot since joining RB and have made many friends as well!
I would love to share a new group, Art 4 Charity , which is hosted by myself, Lucindawind and Siamkatze . This group is for anyone who donates a percentage or all their proceeds to a charity of their choice.
Thanks,
Julie

yes, Pilgrim, i’ve also found people on this site so helpful, and to a newbie artist like myself that is awesome! i’m happy and proud to be here also. thanx for yr thoughtful and inspiring rave.
cheers Sammi

People truly are the soul of the site… ever evolving, ever reaching out, extending horizons.
Amazing community!
:)

Over the last 8 or 9 years I have been in several photo sharing groups, always hoping to find one where I felt comfortable and among friends. At the start of this year I discovered RB and, as a result, the others have all fallen by the wayside. So many new friendships have been made but, overriding that, is the way that you, Martin, and the rest of the management team go about things. Your attitude, your abilities and your humour inspire confidence. I wish you continuing success, plus all good wishes for the festive season. Peter

Yes, Amazing community. if we think about it more seriously, we, as a artwork creator, need these friendships more than selling our works. inspiration is the only element against the ordinary.

fantastic words, all so true its the worldwide virtual friends on red bubble that make it an exceptional place , our own little piece of paradise, I agree ththat selling something is the icing on the cake great Job!!!

I Just Love being part of This Community, such Beautiful and Caring People here,
God Bless
ANNA

What a wonderful community I have just joined. Though I am new to the RB community, I could see there are many compassionate people though the pictures they posted. It really my pleasure and honor to join this community. Keep up the good works.

In January 2009 I will have been with RedBubble one year. This is the best community I have seen so far. Lots of understanding, support and compassion. Where else do find this? Go RedBubble!

Wonderfully written Martin…terrific calendar and will definitely get one before end of 2008…well worth Foundation to help…good on you :) The community on RB shows the world that all people can get along extremely well…I have met, through RB, some amazingly talented and truly lovely natured characters…this site is like a gift to the world…and I for one am very grateful for it and all the RB staff do to keep it functioning :)

I really feel pity for the cat in the picture.It is said that education starts from home and yes indeed redbubble is like a home with so many wonderful people out here educating others with arts which peels the hearts of even the heartless!

It has helped me to heal and grow I have made a lot of new online friends from all over the world and have been inspired by all I have met in one way or another there is a lot of compassion and love that flows from this site I am proud to be a part of all that is here thank you so much for allowing me to take part.T

I have talked my sister the painter/poet into setting up here, it was hard to describe the intangible spirit of this place with words; but when I told her about the bright spot of morning that I get each and every day I come here, she said that was just what she needed in her life. So thanks everybody for that Bright Spot of Morning!!

There really is a community spirit here. I think it starts with Red bubble itself-you are good to us and that spirit spreads. Thank you!

Well said, Martin. As a newbie artist, I feel proud and happy to be a part of this community. There are so many caring and helpful people here. I log on each morning with my first cup of coffee – both necessary requirements for my day.

I was worried that becoming an empty nester might result in another dose of the blues. RB helped save me. I also feel I am doing some good by highlighting awareness of breast cancer and supporting (or at least trying too) some people currently dealing with this disease.
Indeed one of the first items I uploaded was my entry in the oncology on canvas comp

Hope my efforts encourage one person to get checked early. We have had too many young women die (Most recently
Commonwealth gold medalist Kerryn McCann dies from cancer at 41

December 8, 2008 – 12:PM).
Thanks

RB is the Greatest!!!!!!!!! I love how everyone supports each other in good times and bad:))))) A Wonderful Place Is Redbubble!!!!!!!!!!

Wonderful words! I am beginning to see that. When I came in here, I just thought it was a place for artists to show and sell their work. But the soul of artist wants to give so much more, and I can really see what RB is really all about. It changes people’s hearts..:-)

I agree that RB is great. I have made friends all around the world, I am learning so much about photography, and I am having a wonderful time doing it! I can’t say that RB can achieve world peace, but it does give us the opportunity to see and interact with people all around the world. That certainly is a start!

Yay Jordy!

Proud to be here!!

We are all living in one big Red Bubble.. Red For Love…
Chuck..

I agree with DAVID PETRANKER, whose comment is near the first ones made.

It truly would neat if Redbubble could establish a Artist Foundation on the website that we all could donate to. Of course some people would want a receipt for tax purposes.

I fully agree with you….through the amazing RedBubble community I can indeed see such a wonderful connection that reaches so far, purely on the level of our humanity….so many lifes are so enriched by it….it is truly uplifting to see!

Thank you Martin for being the light that you are. My husband passed away from cancer about 4 mths ago and Red bubble and some of the artists on here have been an amazing inspiration on just what is possible and how much love is out there if we only look. Thank you again , Debi [ aka Merlin]

Its heart rendering to read some of the comments, really touching stories. North, South, East and West of the Globe, we,re all friends. Lets tell the ” powers that be ” or supposed to be lol to get signed up on RB and see a bit of our world. And Yes, im up for what David and Flowers say about a Artist Foundation x

Wonderful words Martin and everyone and i echo them …........

LOVE ,PEACE , and GOOD HEALTH to all

hugz bev

God Bless Us Everyone!

I agree with everyone and am proud to be part of the group. I think all art is healing in some way, but the RB energy is very positive and powerful

Martin l too are unsure of miracles but l am a true believer in humanity, compassion & understanding for others that go through so much be it Mental illness, Cancer, Starvation, Child Abuse, Injustice unfortunately the list just goes on but what gives me the greatest hope are the incredible souls on redbubble. So many have become my closest friends & soulmates & when you’re fighting such a hideous desease like breast Cancer their warmth, their words, their encouragement, their own personal stories become your fuel to put up the greatest fight of your life. l have been truly honoured by those such as yourself whom bring attention to my cause in helping others who live in rural areas & recieve no assistance what so ever & struggle so much in just the basic needs such as home cooked meals, companionship etc, it breaks my heart that in this country the government can still treat us so poorly. It is through beautiful people here that l have been able to raise awareness to other women & men to have themselves checked by their GP & not just rely on their own examintaions as SO SO many Cancers are missed, to me its even more valuable than raising money SO once again l take this opportunity to say that life is so truly precious & the importance of looking after ones own body should be placed at the VERY TOP of their priority list REDBUBBLERS ARE IN EVERY WAY WORTH IT XXXXXXXXXX
Thankyou with all my heart Martin & THANKYOU REDBUBBLE XXXXXXX

Thank you so much for your words of wisdom. I believe art, being creative, caring and sharing helps us all through life with all its joys and suffering.
Much love and good wishes to all red bubblers for a happy, healthy, joyful Christmas. xxxooo

I’m certain this may be a contentious question but…I have sold quite a bit of work for HEAL Africa through Red Bubble which has been great. Last count I was able to donate $1300. (About a third of that came from RB). My concern is I have never been given a discount on this work so to be brutally honest RB has made a regular profit on it. I’ve noticed you’ve posted a few of these threads of late. Are you considering changing your stance on this and offering a charity discount in the future? I have asked before…cheers

An interesting point Melinda and in view of the work you do it’s certainly justified. For myself though – and bear in mind that I don’t sell anywhere near as much art as you – the fact that the site is completely free of charge is all the discount I need. Regards, Peter

Yes I take that point Peter.

What a lovely Message Martin : ), You echoed my sentiments about the holiday season and about people on Redbubble reaching out to each other.. This year will be the first without my mother (and best friend) and my sister will be visiting her daughter 12 hours from here…so for the first time in my life I will spend Christmas alone with my daughters. I wanted to make the offer here that if anyone finds themselves alone on Christmas Eve or Christmas day… that I’ll be online. Having a cyber party : ) So this is my invitation to any lonely bubblers.. or anyone who just finds themselves alone this Christmas to join me in celebrating this year….and hope that they will consider me their family . My journal will be open on Christmas Eve Australian time : ). warmest wishes, Wendy aka Wen x

Melinda
You have done absolutely fantastically to help those in Africa. While RedBubble is not profitable if we start giving money to causes all we would be doing is giving our investors money away for them. We have supported some very specific things (and I personally have for many of the things on the site) but it is not really our right to give our investors money away- they did not invest in RedBubble for this purpose. When we are no longer dependent on investors we can have more flexibility.

Wonderful words well spoken….......Vickie

This is an amazing community…....... living in the bush, i felt quite isolated with my art until i joined the bubblers…..... now over and OVER i get to cry, laugh and visit so so many compassionate hearts on this site…......thanks RB for this wonderful service! It continues to inspire!

Thank you for taking the time to explain your position Martin.

Thanks for that ..and yes..It’s a great place..very addictive and the people just wonderful!!!

Happy christmas to you too !

xxxooo

Someone on this thread has mentioned “dystopia” (I had to look it up on wikipedia – remember I am Italian).
I beg to disagree ….the very few unpleasant incidents that may have occurred on RB are overwhelmingly outweighted by the closeness, the help, the care for fellow human beings that goes on on RB every day multiplied 100.000 times!

I am grateful and proud to be part of this community.

I always felt art and healing go hand in hand and Rebubble and its artists definitely embody that synthesis. It’s a wonderful thing, a place to take a little holiday from the inevitable humdrum things of life. And healing is much more than just healing the body. Artists are by nature sensitive and RB provides a place to be real and vulnerable.
I’m not Italian but I dunno what dystopia is either. But even when things get a bit tense, I’ve noticed that support comes in and greater understanding seems to emerge. Merry Christmas to all and May Redbubble ejoy even more fantastic success (in all ways not just sales) in the New Year!

nice

My mandalas are all about healing – for me as I do them and for others as they receive them or purchase them or simply gaze at them here on the web. I believe that art has the power to touch the soul and release the negative dark stuff within to allow the light to shine forth…
So many wonderful amazing powerful magic artists here on this fabulous space!

such uplifting truth and nice compassionate motivations. It is so true, with the right atitude and right inspiration people can heal and tackle the negativity, even when it is around them say in a partcular nasty class, or a kid is getting inunadated with bullying on the web at school.

There are always better resources to call on, and art can be a real therapy and role models too strengthen. Thank u.

It was so nice to meet you while you were in Sydney a few weeks ago…and although only some of my images are for sale here, not all are… i love this artistic community which enables me to like you said ‘reach out’ and have found a wonderful support group here… we motivate, inspire, pick each other up when we feel insecure about our craft, laugh with and cry with…it is wonderful.
Thanks Martin for your words in this thread.
Patricia

Having the courage to ask for help can be incredibly important, for we often feel that in seeking help we are losing some of our own self… Some people are also able to accept help easily and relaxedly, and some of us find this difficult.
I remember many years ago being told a true story about the traditional Australian Aborigine’s take on giving and receiving, and this has made a significant difference to me ever since. When someone accepts some gift from you, he is actually making you a gift – an obligation, perhaps, that can be taken up in the future. For example, if one man entered the camp with a speared kangaroo, and a second man asked for some of it to feed his own family, the second man is, in well understood tribal code, saying that he will share with the first man a capture he makes in the future. We see that the survival of the wider group is assured, and the members are bound more tightly by the giving and receiving of obligations, as well as gifts.
For many years, on another site, I gave help frequently to others, but was only able to because they were prepared to ASK for help. When I, in turn, asked for help, the request was immediately responded to with a multitude of support. I felt that I had earned it by helping others, but perhaps the tone too had been set by those others who were not too proud to seek assistance.
I have found similar pockets of mutual helpers and askers here on RedBubble, from time to time. When it becomes a dominant ethos, it can be a powerful thing, but can only arise when people are prepared to ASK for help. The rest then may flow…
That is a long way to say, I agree!

Painting helped me to get through a very weird time. I’m through it now. I have found my family in the ‘bubble’. I love it. I am inspired and enthused. If I receive a comment on my work I smile all day. If I see a beautiful picture (and I see so many) I am uplifted and feel honoured to be a part of it. I thank you all for being here too. Clare

colors heal your soul – have a wonderful week

This is a superb site in many different ways. The best one I’ve been a member of.

Now. I not only paint for myself as therapy, but also for others, who like my art!!!

And the only one where I have received only positive and encouraging feedback!!
Some of the artists I’ve discovered here, are inspiring – which is what you need when you are just beginning (in my case, watercolours).

Well done, a wonderful place!

Its good to see the Human spirit at it’s best Peace to all

RedBubble is a great place to be! I love it here:)