There’s always room in the creative tent, even when the few who’d do better to occupy other tents don’t leave. :p

The BEST RedBubble post you have shared for a long time :)

A great comment from a great man. I am passionate about my photography, but realise that everyone has to start from scratch when embarking on their journey of creativity. Also I agree with you, in so far as art that makes us uncomfortable in any way is still art, and perhaps requires a different kind of talent to create these pieces.

Great quote. I feel that some of my fellow artists on this site have pushed me, maybe without realizing it, to aspire to better things. I believe the unpopular and uncomfortable should be seen, though some of it might turn me off, it will always make me look at myself, and my work, with a bit more of a critical eye.

Good ole Gough! and bring it on the more uncomfortable the better I say -make people stop and think and wonder.Art is for everyone big and small….

Wow I love that quote. Needs to be up in neon lights somewhere!!!

What a fantastic find, Martin!!! There’s got to be room for everyone, otherwise where would we all learn from? Where would we find our inspiration? Where would we learn new stories of heartbreak and joy to help base our work on? We all benefit from getting out of our comfort zones, and this tent has the means for everyone to do that. Thank you for sharing this!

art is what you make it.

This is a wonderful quote selection. It is similar to ‘social media’ compared with ‘control media’ – we don’t want to just hear about news, art, whatever from experts. We want to ‘share’ what is important to us because we enjoy doing this and it helps provider us with deeper and more meaningful connections. The unpopular and uncomfortable – would probably be harder to define now than it used to .. the web used in a ‘social media’ or ‘social networking’ context (in comparison to static/non interactive brochure sites) helps us to build up our fan base (big or small) and then interact with and nurture it.

The pursuit of excellence is a proper goal, but it is not the race itself.

I’d concur with that.

This makes me think that there should be a “quote of the day” on the homepage to motivate us artists…. :)

It is a wonderful quote. I very much enjoy your journal, mahalo :))

nice quote, each user on redbubble is doing their part in making this the most reliable and valuable place for the creating of art. no other sites that iv’e come across actually has the same connections that we all have on this site. Thankyou for this great journal

Aloha ‘oe, mahalo for the site upgrade notice, the time and date hotlink is very cool, thank you!

Thank you, inspirational!

Love this quote! A healthy artistic climate is a “fluid” climate. If it were static and regimented to rules, then the whole spirit of creativity would be non existent! Technical correctness does not guarantee perfect creativity!

Every generation and period in history have had art that has been unpopular and uncomfortable and then following generations can’t understand what the fuss was about!!!

There’s some pretty good quotes here

i agree. leonardo da vinci was a god, but quite likely he wouldnt have been had i not been for the renaissance…

wow great quote and from a leader of all people! here it would be a similar speech but it would be hiding the fact they are taking art funding outta schools or something :P

Yes there is room for all (almost).
People need a path to develop along while they learn and how can you appreciate the brilliant without comparing it to the mediocre and horrible.
But as for “uncomfortable” ......define “uncomfortable”
Some “uncomfortable” is acceptable no matter how much it makes us squirm, more than acceptable, necessary even, it depends on the “message” eg photos of dead oil plastered sea birds after Exxon Valdez,
some uncomfortable never should see the light of day and the makers should be locked away forever, or skewered on a pike even, eg, Hannibal Lechter’s dressmaking skills
People who live for anarchy and shock value that think something should be seen purely because it IS “uncomfortable” are naive in not admitting how bad “uncomfortable” can be.

I’ve struggled with Germaines writing too, but she makes some interesting points sometimes. I’ll look out for that book, ta.

well… I feel that all people benefit from being in touch with their creative side, being creative in itself opens up all kinds of doors. I once painted pretty decorative things… I was challenged by other art and artists I saw who’s work went deeper on an emotional level…. I didn’t like it at all…. I hated it…. strong words i know…. I grew to embrace it, the way artists dipped into their soul and pulled something out…. then I decided to explore it through my own art practice…. subconsciously at first… I found it helped me through my own difficulties….. and now I am using it for healing….. I can only speak for myself…. art is healing…. it is personal on one level and universal on another. We all should have ample opportunity to explore it and never feel judged for it… and yet… there is a part of me as a soul mother who doesn’t want to see things that are too challenging… but each and every time I do…. i grow.

I was just looking for a New Creed.
Thank Gough, and thank-you for this wonderfully put together piece. Gough was smart enough to know only diversity makes something naturally stronger. There is room for it all.
Great post!
Amen.

I can live with the site being down, provided it comes back ;)

How inspiring! And how true.

Creativity (visual arts, music, theater, etc.) has always seemed to me to a life force, an entity in itself; one that we live with in a mutualistic relationship. We feed it, we nurture it, we add energy to it, and in return it gives us satisfaction, pleasure, pain, joy, growth of spirit, curiosity, courage, and determination.
I don’t think humanity would survive without creativity. And without us, creativity would fall to pieces.
So that art tent is by nature expansive and flexible, which is one reason I think RedBubble thrives. Commonalities and varieties together: we’re art and art is us.

Wonderful post, a good reminder of why we’re here. And why it feels so good.

Thank you!!!!!!

This is a great post and i can agree with many of the other bubblers who have already commented.
I believe that we all have to start somewhere and we should all be given a chance to “give it a go”. By looking at many thousands upon thousands of artworks in the time i have been a member here, the experiences have helped me open my eyes that bit more and have helped me push myself to do things that i would not have normally done, finding out things i didn’t know about myself along the way.
I adore RB for who and what it is, for the artists it represents and the many many different genres which is available for viewing, buying and commenting on here.

In one’s vain attempt to show “we were here” we leave our marks on what ever we care to, not only we do this in the ways that are prescribed but that which is unique and different. The necessity of creativity is paramount to all material manifestation and art and artist are a small part of the process.

May the tent ever expand and be inclusive. There are always people who shine brighter than others, and some brightest of all, in any endeavor; be it science, math, a sport, research, engineering, art, music, song. All are creators, some better, and some who want to be better. Striving to do that, challenging oneself, is an end to itself; because the journey is more important than the destination. (Some might disagree.) There will always be somebody who relates to another’s “work of art”. A social network in the art community allows that to happen across time and space. Thanks.
—Frannie

For me this is part of its richness

Could not have put it better myself!! :D

Peace to all…
PLV

without a foundation, there, is no place to stand tall,without lookers, there is nothing to see,without,many trying,no jewel,shines at all, we are all needed,to grow, in eachs garden, of hope, wonderful thoughts,every one had their,admirers,in art, from one, to many, so create create. most of all,

The reason I practice art in any real sense is because of a feeling that I do not fit in with popular culture, and i don’t feel I have to make any concessions toward the stream that others swim in, it’s my freedom..

yep.

Art is everything, without it where would we be? All are welcome, this would be a fairly boring existence if we were all the same.

Striving to do that, challenging oneself, is an end to itself; because the journey is more important than the destination

Absolutely agree Fran – the first brushstroke ever made by a novice is as important as the last brushstroke made by a master. The act of making any artwork is like giving voice in the silence, we sing, sometimes the voice can be a great soprano listened to by the whole world – at other times it can be child overheard singing sweetly to itself……….who is to say which is the more beautiful?

Gough Whitlam was a brilliant man and Germaine Greer a brilliant woman. I called my first solo show in 1999 ‘the obstacle race’ – it’s not always easy being an artist especially in an economically rationalised world, thank heaven that’s changed a bit in the last 10 years. may i add the UNESCO definition of an artist is ”... any person who creates or gives creative expression to, or recreates works of art, who considers his artistic creation to be an essential part of his life, who contributes in this way to the development of art and culture and who is or asks to be recognized as an artist, whether or not he is bound by any relations of employment or association.” I am happy to be associated with Red Bubble. cheers, Z

An admirable quote derived from an admirable person! When I first joined RedBubble a year and a half ago, I was astonished at the quality of the art that was being posted. If I did not fit into the “creative tent” back then, nobody here told me. Instead, I was overwhelmed by the amazing response to my art from people whose own work was nothing short of astonishing. I was inspired to write a journal entry : As I continue to browse through the many different groups at RedBubble, I am amazed every single day at the beauty and creativity of the works I have seen and I must say, it is a struggle to even think of matching the competition here, but many, if not all of the works have inspired me greatly and I will carry on creating on the tail of many great artists! Cheers to you all! This journal entry still stands. Fantastic site..love it!!

I often refer to Bruce Mau’s manifesto for inspiration, which contains many relevant points including:

Forget about good.
Good is a known quantity. Good is what we all agree on. Growth is not necessarily good. Growth is an exploration of unlit recesses that may or may not yield to our research. As long as you stick to good you’ll never have real growth.

Process is more important than outcome.
When the outcome drives the process we will only ever go to where we’ve already been. If process drives outcome we may not know where we’re going, but we will know we want to be there.

Love your experiments (as you would an ugly child).
Joy is the engine of growth. Exploit the liberty in casting your work as beautiful experiments, iterations, attempts, trials, and errors. Take the long view and allow yourself the fun of failure every day.

and a host of other fine ideas.

Didn’t Gough get sacked?

All I can say is…..THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR TENT WITH ME!!!

Gough getting sacked is as relevant as van Gough (LOL) dieing a pauper.

This is a great Quote--which I shall Keep and remember I hope--I think it will make me look with new eyes at things we often take so casually for granted.Freud,described all creativity as a cry for attention.In acknowledging as so it may also be worth stating that the laying bare of emotion through creativity,demands courage and honesty in equal measure to arrogance-thank you RB !

Love the quote!!!! Thanx for sharing!!!!

We live in a digital age, surrounded by every type of art and media imaginable. Many of us use these media to perfect our “art” and leave our mark in the world. Many choose to leave their mark by simply sharing what they see as something important to themselves, without worry about the “perfect” aesthetic.
Our world is variety of people and places and in the end it will be the everyday images and thoughts that will be remembered of our culture. Even now, we still look to cave paintings for the images of our own history. Should anything less be considered as important by what we view as art today?

Everyone should be welcome!! And balance is a great thing, the Masters would not exist without the amateurs!! :)

The quote is everything that I have experienced here on RB…. the camaraderie, encouragement, acceptance….. true appreciation, no matter the level!!!! Kudo’s to all who venture here and stay to be participate with enthusiasm!!!!!

I read that Van Gogh only sold one small painting when he was alive. Now this paintings sell for tens of millions. Yes, there is room for everyone. I have learned so much on redbubble.

“his” not “this”-I still can’t type.

How would one know if something is bad if one did not know what was good.
That was a great quote in it’s ablitity to favor all sides.

Thankfully there are Tents like the RedBubble tent who make room for everyone – even the ugly and unpopular ones :)

Such places are essential. Everyone needs somewhere safe to start out so they can learn and grow. And from one person’s learning and growing, so do we all.

What a thought provoking quote. Im glad that you have given me something much more interesting to mull over today than an alternative for the contraversial naming of I-snack 2.0.
:-)

As an “un-clasically-trained” photographer it got me to thinking about how helpful this site has been in inspiring and developing creative thinking and training and aligning of my eye to that which works?

If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants
—Isaac Newton

very enjoyable post pilgrim, i agree totally. thank you.
here are some fav. quotes of mine for you. hehe
everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it
the will of the people is the best law
a single conversation with a wise person is better than ten years of study
and this funny one, which i seem to cop a lot. hehe
one good thing about being wrong is the joy it brings to others.
;-) xox

Good on you Gough!!! The thing I love about redbubble is that it’s so welcoming to people of all skill levels & all genres. When I came to redbubble I was taking photos on a compact & doing basic enhancements in my windows picture viewer! In 14 months I’ve learnt more from the redbubble community than I think I could ever have done if I did a Photography course. Why? Because everyone here seems to want to expand their own skills, & also share the skills they have with others. The majority of redbubble members seem to relish in the community aspect of the bubble….. we all know that the rest of the world just doesn’t ‘get us’ a lot of the time. We can come here & know that like-minded people are happy to answer our seemingly silly questions.
Being exposed to so much inspirational art can only help us in our own creativity.
So I say yes, there’s plenty of room for us all in this tent…... and Thankyou to all of you who have helped me grow as an artist in this past year.

Absolutely, the message about allowing works to be viewed as valid from all levels is very necessary. As an artist who has spent an excruciating amount of time watching work collect dust or be dismissed by locals or peers because it did not rank against the perfect-international-standard-level-of-art, but knowing how much effort and how many years I put into it, and watching others do the same thing in my various social groups with the same result- its totally necessary to re-evaluate our society’s relationship to creativity. The problem remains that so many people just plain take for granted the artists and musicians and writers in their lives, and also people have this condition wherein the people around them are seen as incapable of producing the same quality of art as people from somewhere else. Maybe that second part is a local thing, but its ridiculous. People seem to think that creativity just springs up on its own; they don’t realize the sheer amazingness or effort involved in coalescing technical training with observation/inspiration, how much work it is regardless of if your creation is incredible in the end or not. Anyway, I guess this place is making great progress to promoting this ideal of increased validity, and I’m glad I found it; I just wish I’d found it before, or it had existed years ago.

Art comes from the soul, and every soul has a place! Bravo, nice find!

lol What about work that is unpopular and uncomfortable? For one thing, I noticed the work that makes me the most uncomfortable is usually the most popular, too. For another thing, what makes me uncomfortable, may be wildly popular with some and wildly unpopular with the people who found that other thing, which I also was uncomfortable with, just peachy keen.

And, quite often, even when it comes to my own work, the pieces that really get good responses are not the pieces I like the best. So …

There is always room for the uncomfortable-making, weird, unpopular, unnoticed, unexpected .. if there wasn’t, everyone would still be painting nothing but icons, if they even got that far.

“And what about work that is unpopular or uncomfortable, where does this fit?”

I am a believer that in art the market will sort itself out. If an artist’s work is unpopular or there is no skill involved in what he does, noone will buy it. This does not stop him from attemping to get better and get his work to a point where he can live of his art, but like anyone in a small business, he should succeed only if he can make enough money to support himself. I an against people living off grants from government, it dilutes the artistic gene pool. I myself am not good enough to live of my art and so for me it will always be a much beloved hobby

this quote says important things. Creativity is an important thing. I do my creative work for me….if just one person comments or connects with it or likes it I feel rewarded and happy to have made the connection. If the only creative things we saw around us were ones popular with and supported by huge numbers of people the richness would go from our world….everything would become the same

I love that RB is a place for all. From little acorns and all that. If we had to be accomplished and perfect before we could be a part of the art world, where could we go to learn. I have improved so much since being a member of the RB family and I am extremely grateful to have found this amazing place for the expression of art of all standards.
THANK YOU

I think that different things inspire all of us. In a community like this we can see that which we personally find inspirational and go on to create work that inspires others. Its life giving and we all grow in excellence

But what do people think? is there room in the creative tent for all who would want to enter? And what about work that is unpopular or uncomfortable, where does this fit?

this would have more resonance if people who are consistently articulate and intelligent and ethical weren’t getting their accounts sneakily deleted without any discussion of it

I don’t believe in Bad art or Bad writing…..it is simply different so what I think is cool you may view as crap and vice versa. My work personally has grown on here and I enjoy the friendships as well….great work

freedom of expression is important,without such outlets society as a whole may just become a culture of ticking boxs where ideas become manufactured by advertising agencies and manipulated by global conglomerates and big business
all art and expression however good or mediocre is worth a place and red bubble is supplying that service admirably

It’s a big tent and very nice and comfortable on the inside – but I like to think the truly great are not even looking for shelter and are content to wander the wilderness doing what they do. I’m quite happy to be in the tent as long as I can step outside now and again.

Great quote though, it’s part of our nature to be creative to some degree and diversity is crucial even if at first it’s controversial. Otherwise all we end up with is sunsets,babies in hats and kittens in fruit bowls.

And what about work that is unpopular or uncomfortable, where does this fit?

I’m hoping it fits in here, in the appropriate places. I’ve been having some dark thoughts and ideas lately (nothing too serious, life is good) and RB gives me a platform to work things out.

Reviled by many (my father amongst them) and blamed for the “Downfall of Australian Society”, Whitlam was without doubt a visionary. It was through his ‘free education’ scheme (it wasn’t quite that) that I gained my tertiary qualifications at Randwick TAFE, an education for which I am forever grateful. Though-provoking words. Thanks. I’ll be thinking this through for a while.

There is no truth but my truth, your truth, his and her truth. A platform for all means all can be involved and never wonder what may have been. We use our muse until it has gone and if it comes back we pick up tools and go again. A tent for all means no excuses. Your place has been set, sit and eat with the rest of us.
x

A slightly wonky tent, but its a tent and offers some security :)

I love redbubble for its diversity and for the assistance and encouragement that I have received since I first joined. I know my work has improved with the encouraging and helpful input from our members. Long may its wide variety live.

? XXXXXXXXXXXX

Wonderful quote! Couldn’t agree more with the sentiments expressed in it! Thanks for sharing, because it made me think of exactly how much I feel I have gained – not least of all inspiration -since I’ve joined! :o)

Juilee Pryor tell us more….!?

....this would have more resonance if people who are consistently articulate and intelligent and ethical weren’t getting their accounts sneakily deleted without any discussion of it

“is there room in the creative tent for all who would want to enter? And what about work that is unpopular or uncomfortable, where does this fit?”
Re – Room in the Tent – for sure. It’s a big tent. The challenge might be making it so that you retain some sense of intimacy and ‘belonging-ness’ to the whole community, but the community is what it is. Otherwise, it’s just a clique.
Re – uncomfortable/unpopular – I don’t like all the art that I see… but even stuff I don’t like (or perhaps ‘especially stuff I don’t like’) often makes me think about what I’m looking at… so long as the artist has approached their work intelligently, generally!

My main regret is that I can’t spend more time doing my own art and looking at others’

That’s a magnificent tent and a super selection for this post!
It brought a smile and much thought…and then another smile.
There’s art in it.
:)

Gotta go eat breakfast and look at the results of the “Happy” Challenge, see if I’m happy today or not….....LOL

::waves and runs like the wind::

I like this man’s attitude, unfortunately I myself can be found wanting in this area! Mu goal is to open my eyes (and heart) more!

It is a sad irony that today Helen Bascom was banned from the RB tent

“I like the irony and fragility of the Tent. It is a bit like this place to me.” That was my feeling too – had a little chuckle at the imagery.

Words of encouragement are always a welcomed friend. There are moments when I feel it all comes together; however, they are often rare and create a wanting for more. Thank you for these words!

regards,

I never thought myself a poet until I explored Ekphrasis Treatise here in the bubble
Ask many many artists on this site (check out the faves of the profile Chookas) how many of their pieces have an adgray poem in the comment box – it is where I have created it staring at their image as my inspiration
I see stuff and my mind goes nuts with words screaming to be written!
at times poetry flows before I even twig I am writing it!
Other times a picture will haunt me a few times and then I write

I have no idea where this poetry comes from
I have always been able to analyse poetry – read it decode it see the story behind the words imagine the reality glossed over by the romantic make spot on assumptions as to why the poet chose the words written – I received top marks in tests for it
and the complexities of it scared me away from attempting to do similar! – I have no theory of it I can’t even spell! but I understand it & can translate it! – its like the kid who can do the Rubic’s Cube but cant explain algebra!
But here in the bubble I allowed myself to write freely and I have no idea where it comes from but it is a wonderful experience to have it flow through me!

☼ I have a theory that art is a universal force (like love and goodness)
I imagine it to be metaphorically above us with funnels touching down – like mini tornado threads …. but (if any colour) in gossamer shining rainbow colours not dark physical bland rainclouds
I imagine that these funnels are reaching people who then charged to either create art or appreciate it
There is also an opposite force > non-artistic, indifference and badness
These I imagine to be the negatives blocking the freedom of art, love and goodness!

☼ I have another theory there is a perfect positive existence and a perfect negative existence
and reality is the existence bouncing between the two.
and both extremes are required for anything to exist!

So yes in the tent of art there must be room for the uncomfortable and undesirable
for without it nothing can be comfortable and desirable!

By the same token I cannot understand how anyone can think competition could be a part of art – for who are we to say one piece is of a lesser or greater importance / value / aesthetic attraction than another?
“One man’s trash is another’s treasure”
“Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”
“Each to their own”

But whether we like it or not popularity values art;
Though it should never be popularity of the artist or indeed the prior possessor but popular appeal of the art itself! Driven by desire and demand which of course fluctuates with the preferences of those who acquire!

There is so many pieces out there and also in here that I could not be bothered with (about 70% of what I have seen) – I am sure they are all very meaningful works of art but they do not appeal to my tastes. Just like what does appeal to my taste is usually not the highly popular stuff!
..... and I like that!
I don’t want to be trendy!
I want to like the art that I like because of the art not because my friends want me to!

But Goff Whitlam (bless the bloke!) hit the nail on the head.
In his time in govt our education system blossomed with all genres of art and creativity and imagination! Yes the boys who played footy at lunchtime HATED doing art especially dance and sing-along-music after lunch but there were avenues opened in which those boys who were artistic could be creative without getting teased and bullied in the school yard for it!

I’m sorry but I witnessed it!
When my secondary school dropped the performance part of the curriculum and reduced the number of art classed and forced all children to play sport, Art creativity and imagination began to suffer
I tested it with a group of youths I gave them a ball and 2 chairs in an open piece of parkland and said “Play” For 5 minutes they could not play anything! “What are the rules?” I was asked
I suggested they use the chairs as goals. They sort of played a rough game of soccer crossed with basketball but were still having difficulties and fights until I gave them 4 cones and suddenly they had boundaries and got on with the business of their game!

If it were just a subject like typing or a specialized elective class that wouldn’t be so bad BUT …
ART IS CULTURE
It is how we determine who we are!
It is our identity our communication our values
Before instant recording techniques, the cross-referencing of art is how we determine(d) what happened in history
It is still the fundamental basis of how we record who we are and what is important to us.
What would sport be without their team :
colours > ART
mascot > ART
logo > ART
chant > ART
song > ART
Cheer-squad > (dance/aerobics) > ART
Corporate sponsorship advertising > ART
MEDIA Coverage > ART

Not to mention that we have a huge telecommunication network revolving around screens > once again ART
We need to be appreciative of art
- we need to know how to read it and analyse it and understand the messages it gives us!
Otherwise how do we use it to get our messages across?

Yes artists believe they are just making themselves feel better by creating that which comes to us to create, but I think ART is far more important to the whole existence of humanity than that … if not the Natural balance of universal existence.
For to every artist who makes themselves feel better by taking a picture of a sunset there are dozens of people (or more) who look at that picture and feel better also!
Either because they like/admire what they saw or think it’s not to their liking and are possibly inspired to try to do better themselves or go hunting to find better!
either action equally valid – therefore, so is the art!

Sorry for the length of the treatise about this thought
but I believe it to be fundamentally important to all artists
to understand that we, like Parents, are the most vitally important people on the planet & not just stuffing about amusing ourselves!
For without parents we cannot guide our children to improve our population (the reason we strive to improve what we do)
But without artists were are no different to animals and there will be no reason to doing anything!

And here in this awesome site we explore support and improve our abilities and those of each other like nowhere else in the known Universe!

☼ Happy Bubbling! ☼
Chookas! ♥

Are You Happy?

(Couldn’t resist….)

PS Thanks for the site upgrade warning too! =0þ

Great quote ~ thanks for posting .. and yes, I think the creative tent should expand to include artists at all stages of learning ~ after all isn’t all art subjective? I’ve loved photography for many years but only with the digital age have I been so free to experiment and grow! Cheers for this great site, susie

That quote is going in my moleskin. thanks for sharing it!! :) /
I am definitely one for enjoying and seeking out the impressive, gifted stuff… but I dont ever entertain the notion of shutting out, judging or unfairly putting down those learning or using this place for expressing their creative needs (especially because I’m one of them). I think it’s absolutely crucial to all human beings to have a creative outlet. /

Since joining RB I can honestly say that I’ve worked more on my own emotional growth more rapidly than ever before. I’m nearly constantly creating (if only going through ideas in my mind) from being inspired by RB… so it has indeed helped me more than I can ever express. That same emotional awareness and growth should forever be available to all the human race!! RB is not just merely an art gallery… it’s a place for human learning & growth.

What is popular today will be unpopular tomorrow. There is room in the tent for the tent is the entire universe. That is why all voices are important to be heard and why not use the “freedom of expression” that in the West takes for granted when those in countries with dictatorships are trying to “close down voices of protest”. I disagree with the word “gift” for most artists and writers, it is the daily slog of hard work, or trials and attempts, of long nights where no words empty out onto the page, it is to those people who keep going even when it feels as though it is not “worth” it, it is worth is and what redbubble provides is the meat in the sandwiches between those times, the hungry times, redbubble pulls together a sausage sizzle, a community that nurtures and provides a space for all

Cheers to the Australian Prime Minister! It seems he has stated what redbubble is to a tee. I love my photography but there have been many times I’ve questioned whether I was good enough to be out here with professionals like I am finding on redbubble. But y’all have made me feel a part of the artistic world like I have never felt before. I’m also finding that most artists are very willing to help others along. What we do is not a race to an end somewhere, but each of us showing each other, as well as the next to come along.

Thank you, redbubblers, for your assistance and kind words.

I love that you have expressed this thought.Many new comers to sharing their art via the net are intimidated by the gifted..the popular artists. I think that so much so, their potential is gone unseen, by the most important person, themselves.

Lol, I know I’M a little intimidated by the super-great artists around here!!! : D BUT I’ve learned a lot, and even gotten a compliment here and there on some of my work, and for me, that is extremely rewarding. All those “greats” help me think in new directions too :) which I think is extremely helpful.

When we are no longer free to express our creativity we are no longer free. Thanks for the posting, Bill

Great quote from a great man. Art is life, it is for whoever desires to partake, regardless of how they, or anyone else, view their artwork. And yes, this is the beauty of redbubble. I also agree totally that excellence is a fine goal, but is not the race itself. I will always strive for excellence – as I see it – but the process is equally as vital.

Here’s another gem “Beware of artists for they mix with all classes and are therefore dangerous” Queen Victoria.

RedBubble is a big tent, it’s true. I believe that beauty (talent, creativeness, professionalism) is in the eye of the beholder. I appreciate the ability to post my humble work and to be called an artist is frosting on the cake. I have learned to see beauty not only on the artwork posted here, but have looked at the beauty all around me everyday. I love it that we all share what we witness in our neck of the woods. I find RedBibble artwork is a real stress reducer and enriches my life see all the beauty captured. I am humbly proud to be a part of this world. Great post and great comments. Love it!

Thereshould be room for everyone.
If art is a language then not allowing someone to post there art is similar to not allowing people say something you don’t think is important or don’t want to hear (for what ever reason). supressing opinions is generally considered to be in oposition with the values of western societies.

It is very understanable that there needs to be limits here at RB as you have many responsiblities.
However to the member who made a judgement of those who create and appreciate shock for shock sake, others would probably judge light and fluffy for the sake of light and fluffy as being just as unneccissary and even slightly unhealthy.

Personnally I don’t like too much shock or too much light and fluffy but I do like that people are free to produce both.

I’m glad to see that the tent has become more inclusive.

The impressionists were quite unpopular in thier time and look at them now ! There is room for everyone under the tent…

I adore and respect this quote you have shared with us, as I do this site, for it is the underlying truth that makes this place what it is. Thank you for sharing.

Our tent is expandable. Our tent is made of different colors and shapes. We have different textures and moods. Our tent has no door to enter, only one for an exit if one decides to leave. Our tent has sounds of wind, sounds of crying and laughter. There is warmth and coldness, our tent has temperatures that rise and fall. Our tent has 4 seasons. All who enter are welcomed, all who leave may or may not be missed, but either way, not forgotten. :)

Sam sez,

“Art is for sissies, this is life…”

Sam Dantone

Art is a reflection of ALL thoughts, good and bad, saccharin and sour. Low brow and high brow!
And even Sam Dantone’s, however immature and unimaginative!

Creative TENT or CANOPY? No doormen for the latter!!!

A great quote!

I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t received knowledge from those who knew more than I did. I’m not referring to RB but members of other specific Forums. My own favourite quote is “there’s no point having a lot of knowledge and keeping it to yourself!” Personally, I’d choke on it if I didn’t release it…........! So it helps me now to be able to pass on what knowledge I’ve gained to others at RB.

Personally, I’ll continue to stretch my own boundaries and each day learn something new about myself. Sometimes that’s a struggle but not the end of the world..

A wonderful quote… and art is most often the most constructive way for anyone to actually ‘work out’ those issues that are controversial, unpopular or disturbing….
This is a ‘tent’ that has provided me with the opportunity to do that and begin to find my own ‘voice’ (or image lol)... And, for that I will remain always grateful.
In this context I find it particularly disturbing that anyone may be ejected from the safety of this ‘tent’ purely on the report of a ‘third party’, with absolutely no questioning of the circumstances surrounding the report or the context in which it has occurred or the opportunity to defend themselves.
I no longer feel totally ‘free’ to express in my art what I may want or need of my deepest feelings, in case I unintentionally ‘offend or disturb’ some unknown person who may stumble on my work unintended….
This particular tent is no longer the safe shelter it used to be for me…..
This upsets me so much I am finding it extremely difficult to even ‘be present’ here, though I believe it is important that I am, to continue to raise this issue of how the nature of this space has been changed…

The local art show here in Holmfirth, Yorkshire, England is open to all and over 20,000 people visit… To enter you are placed in a hat and anyone of any ability can enter…. the show is amazing… we cannot block.. veto…art based upon merit or skill….
My own work often shocks people though I do not set out to shock… though it is this work that sells…

pilgrim, you might want to ask your partner about the tent, since we were basically informed we are just a website

well.. throw some fabric on the website and I’m sure everyone here has enough imagination to stretch the fabric and turn it into a tent large enough for everyone….

The world is changing and our Red Bubble artistic tent is part of this change…. We can’t imagine what will develop from it over even the next 10 years…. Mao said “Let a thousand blossoms compete” – although maybe he didn’t put that into practice – here on Red Bubble we do….
PS Go Gough – a truly great Australian…

To all at Red Bubble and beyond

Enthusiasm is 99% of any “Art”. The major part of “Art” is the enthusiasm of its creation. No matter what standard your art is at if you can keep the passion, the enthusiasm, your skills, your artistic know how, your application to each new work will improve each time. Do not let the results of your first works dampen your enthusiasm in creating; again not every budding artist is a “natural”. Red Bubble has many great natural artists and looking through Red Bubble’s portfolio of artists and their works, I see improvement on each successive art creation. I also see the encouragement the “natural “artists give to all in their replies and comments. This is their enthusiasm showing through to all artists and their artistic creations no matter what standard their art is at. What they understand is the enthusiasm of your creation. I enjoy all arts because of their enthusiastic application not necessarily because of their standard compared to other artists. I love sculpture and in sculpting all animals I have achieved a certain standard, and with each successive sculpture my enthusiasm has made an improvement. In other words I have done it the hard way and looking back I can have a good laugh at my first attempts to be creative but I do not laugh at my enthusiasm as it is even stronger now than in the beginning. I remember a remark made by a young girl when I was sculpting a marine fish angel at a demonstration. She said, “I would love to do what you are doing but I see that would be impossible. I can’t see where I would start.”
I had to say to her,
” Are you enthusiastic enough to attempt a small beginning?” I talked to her about starting and gave her a few pointers and remarked that her first attempts may be laughable to her but somewhere down the successive track of prospective sculptures her laugh will turn into a lovely inner smile of satisfaction, a recognition of the fact the satisfaction that others will get from her own creations and that her skills may encourage some others to take up some kind of art and so it goes on.
Here’s to enthusiasm,
Alex.

I may have to retract my comment, due to logging on and finding my friends account deleted. I was only away for one day, how could this happen? And in only one day?

Personally, for me as a complete beginner at photography (who I might add is still lovin’ it) and joining RB just about 5 months ago, thought that this (RedBubble) probably wasn’t the place for me (after seeing all the fabulous artworks/photographs/writings etc). Only because that I didn’t think my photographs were good enough to be posted here at RB.
I am still (by a very long mile) not the best by far at taking photographs (still learning the basics too), BUT I did decide to take the plunge and join RB and it was the best thing that I have achieved for a very very long time and it is an awesome confidence booster too here at RedBubble.

To answer the original question.
Is there room in the creative tent for all who would want to enter?
Yes, I think there is and I would hope so for many more to come along and join the RedBubble community. If people are accepting of me and my work, then I think this tent here suits pretty much 99% of most of us with a creative mind, should that be drawing, painting, photography, writing and so forth.
Thanks to RB for posting this and the folk who I have on my lists or who have commented on my work or just faved them and to all you other wonderfully talented RedBubblers out there.
Thanks for this opportunity :)))

I am in awe of the atrist who are part of the rebubble community, when I was younger, art was the only way I had to express myself. of course I had a mother who constantly told me there is no money to be made doing art( my father passed when I as a young teen). I left my art behind and worked, raised my family but something had always been missing. I picked up my camera and headed outside, determined to find the the missing part of me. I believe I have found it!
I have joined RB in the last month, and enjoy the many art forms presented here. Yes some make you relaxed and happy, others make you wonder,but all art is to stimulate the senses, good ,bad, or indifferent. I am happy that there is room for me in the tent.I hope to learn much during my stay. I encourage others to join or at least drop by for a visit to experience the wonderful abilities and vast amount of talent show cased here.

What a great read – your stimulatory quote, and then the “TRIBE’s” responses.
RedBubblers come from places so far and wide and different to one another – geographically and artistically. My creative self differs daily, even hourly, depending on my inner climate…

Your initiating post has stirred many of us out of the woodwork. Great!!!

The key word in the quote is healthy.
Art is not only for observing but also for healing.
Recently I have participated in some workshops run for survivors of breast cancer. They were very positive and there was a definite healing element.
We are looking forward to the opening of the exhibition next week
Tickled Pink – Art Exhibition in association with the Breast Cancer Network Association & Artereal Gallery
Join us at the opening night pink celebrations Wed 7 October 6-7pm with the artists and gallery staff.
The exhibition runs until 31 October from 11 – 5 Wed – Sun.
Proceeds from the sales of artworks will directly benefit Australians who are affected by breast cancer.
Artereal Gallery 747 Darling St, Rozelle NSW ph 02 98187473 www.artereal.com.au

Hope to see some Sydney RBers there. Yours in Art Kazm

Great inspirational quote !!! I love this big old tent and everyone in it, we pull the best out of each other :)))) xx

Wonderful post, I believe all art has merit,and no matter what the subject matter there is a heart or mind it will touch. I too love this big old tent and all the wonderful talented people under it.

A pig and a chicken are strolling down the road and come across a broken disillusioned and starving soul in need of assistance.The chicken says lets help him to the next farm house and see if we can find some practical help for the poor bugger. At the farmhouse a man comes out to greet them and realising the predicament says come into my kitchen and we will see what we can do for this poor fellow. The chicken says why dont we feed him .We could make him some egg+bacon that should fortify and build him up a bit.The farmer and the chicken agree “Yes that’s the solution”
But the pig says “Hey thats a great idea , but for you it only requires a generous contribution, but for me it means total commitment ! “

it’s all about the journey

It is so encourage me!

Popular doesn’t mean best.. many new work (unique work) was not popular at 1st then 100 years later, those are the works you see in museums demanding millions.. so I say you need to create the kind of art that pleases you. Is there room for all types of art here on RB, well of course there is. We all need an open mind when it comes to art (especially new art). That doesn’t mean everyone is going to like it (nor should one expect them to). One can never please everyone.

i think its safe to say most people really enjoy making art in some way as a creative outlet and usually can fit into that tent. The most interesting part to think about is the ‘unpopular or uncomfortable’ as that is completely up to the individual response, and so it is always going to differ vastly from person to person.
the first thing that came to my mind in thinking about ‘uncomfortable’ art was the Bill Henson case, was it last year? with the child nude photography. Some defended it as art, and said it wasn’t offensive at all, the children weren’t sexualised, others took the other extreme and said it bordered on child pornography, police were called in, and the prime minister said it was not art at all.
I did not see the photos, i didn’t want to, so perhaps i would place that in my ‘uncomfortable’ basket. But that is going to differ for everyone. It may even differ within one person – i have seen nude photos of children that i thought were really cute, so how can we possibly draw a line and say ‘this is art, and can be appreciated, this over here is not art, has no value, and should not be allowed’.
I suppose one could argue art must follow laws of society, but then haven’t people broken the rules to deliver incredible pieces?
its a really hard topic, there will always be grey areas and people arguing on what is good and what is bad, how to decide what is allowed and what is not???

What a great quote, and a great man. Gough is a living legend.

Art is another way to communicate ideas. The more ideas we have, light or dark, the more free we can be.

“I saw the angel in the marble and carved until I set him free.”
Michelangelo

Have not read through all of the comments yet, but I will go back and do so.

My feeling is that yes, there is room for all levels of talent and all kinds of art. Art, like spiritual connection, is a deeply personal experience in both perception and expression. You cannot possibly get into my head to see what space I was in when I created or appreciate a piece. Likewise, I cannot get into yours. It is impossible to know the lens through which an expression came about.

Because art is so personal-both the making of it and the experiencing of it-I don’t feel it’s our place to judge “what belongs” and what does not in a general sense.

Jurying and judging for contests is a whole different issue, and the market tends to speak to what people like.

In general? Yes. I feel there is room for all levels.

Having just read Garth Smith’s comment on limits, I’d have to agree; however, as has been pointed out, those limits differ for everyone. Are there some art forms I would like to see abolished, oh, heck yes; however, that is not my place.

Not trying to start a debate—just acknowledging what’s been said.

I sort of agree with Steve Scully, but I might posit this: There are those who work full-time jobs, out of necessity, but who are still artists. What if you have a expression that you need to make manifest, but that you cannot afford to take the time to do so? I believe that grants can be a good thing, for large and specific projects, personally.

I have a book I want to write (coffee table—photography and my own writings,) but to pull it together would require extensive travel, which requires free time and money. How would I travel, pull the book together, AND still pay my mortgage? Sure,I could win the lotto, marry a rich man, or inherit a lot of money, but the odds are pretty well stacked against.

So what’s an artist to do? Starve, or just not pursue those larger projects? Just more food for thought.

Anyone can be an artist but not anyone can be a great artist. Good job