We’re trying to drum up some more opportunities for RedBubble artists to be interviewed or featured in the media. If you’d like to be…
We’re trying to drum up some more opportunities for RedBubble artists to be interviewed or featured in the media. If you’d like to be considered, email media@redbubble.com and tell us in 50 words or less why you’d be an interesting candidate for an article. We’ll try to match up RedBubble members with media opportunities as they come through. Of course, we can’t promise you’ll be published, but at least you’re in with a chance. News Flash: / Five local melbourne newspapers are interested, so if you live in the the following areas, please mention that in your email: / 1. Stonnington: Sth Yarra, Toorak, Armadale, Malvern, Chadstone, Prahran / 2. Bayside: Brighton, Brighton East, Hampton, Sandringham, Highett, Cheltenham, Beaumaris / 3. Port Philip: Port Melbourne, Albert Park, St Kilda / 4. Glen Eira: Ripponlea, Murrumbeena, Caulfield, North Caulfield / 5. Boroondara: Ashburton, Balwyn, Balwyn North, Camberwell, Canterbury, Deepdene, Glen Iris, Hawthorn, Hawthorn East, Kew, Kew East, Surrey Hills
Philip Clark from Sydney radio station 2GB is doing an interview at 5:30 with RedBubble co-founder Peter Styles...
Philip Clark from Sydney radio station 2GB is doing an interview at 5:30 with RedBubble co-founder Peter Styles, and artists Melody, Aaron Booth and Lara Allport. If you’re in Sydney, tune in to 873 on the AM dial. You can also listen via the 2GB website
Recently I was aproched by another artist Andrew Gibson from ImageKind , another superb site for artists, wit…
Recently I was aproched by another artist Andrew Gibson from ImageKind , another superb site for artists, with a request for an interview on my success there. He took upon himself to bring forth different artists and share their knowledge and experiences, on how to market their images, what are the best ways to increase their exposure, and about their art. He also discusses photo trends, techniques and news. Although this interview is geared towards the Imagekind site, the information is valuable and correct for redbubble or any other site where we as artists promote ourselves. / here is the link to Andrew’s blog and my interview.. Any feedback is welcome :-)
How shall I go in peace and without sorrow? Nay, not without a wound in the spirit shall I leave this city. / Long were the days of pain I have spent within its walls, and long were the nights of aloneness; and who can depart from his pain and aloneness without regret? / Too many fragments of the spirit have I scattered in these streets, and too many are the children of my longing that walk naked among these hills, and I cannot withdraw from them without a burden and an ache. / It is not a garment I cast off this day, bit a skin that I tear with my own hands. / Nor is it a thought I leave behind me, but a heart made sweet with hunger and with thirst… ...These things he said in words. But much in his heart remained unsaid. For he himself could not speak his deeper secret. “The Prophet” / Kahlil Gibran / 1883-1931 This is in the artist profile in the portfolio of cbarker – Chris. At this time of year it would serve all of us well to remember that yet another year of war and conflict in so many parts of this globe rage on with godless and cruel intent. Chris Barker has a bachelor degree in photojournalism and is a returned American serviceman with more to share than this interview allows… but a little window of light into the heart of a soldier and documentarian can be read below. 1. You have some pretty extreme images on Redbubble, there are photos of high emotions in protests, arrests and to me the irony is the passive feeling ones are of the men at war in Iraq. How would you describe the diversity of your folio given your experiences to capture such moments? The diversity of my portfolio seems to stem from that instant moment, that blink that becomes etched in stone. I cannot, and will not, ever take credit for what others do, because I feel that I am a storyteller and nothing more. Photographs are a solution, so to speak, based on certain mixtures, all dependent on that given situation and your influence upon it. I believe the irony felt between the violent images of protest compared to the passive images of war is derived from my specific involvement as a soldier. When I photographed the protests, I was not there as a demonstrator, I was there as an unbiased historian. The war is a different beast all together. I was in Iraq as a soldier, as unbiased as I could manage, and the images you see appear to capture those few peaceful moments that are so difficult to hold onto because of the incessant violence and death that we were enveloped by day in and day out. I won’t argue with the irony in it, but that is the most concise way I can describe my intentions, portraying things that most people do not picture when they think of “war.” 2. You have a bachelor degree in Photojournalism, what scenes from Iraq did you want to report on but just could not use the camera? I can honestly say, as a trained Photojournalist, it is more than incredibly paining and frustrating when something of significant importance happens in a combat zone and your instinct is to pick up your camera and shoot, but you’re more recent military experience tells you that a camera is not what you should be shooting should you choose to go home by any other means than a flag draped casket. It is a gamble and when fight or flight takes hold, you fight for what little you have. I wish I could have reported on many of my experiences in Iraq, but my safety and the safety of my men, who depended on me completely, prevented such. There is so much more going on in Iraq then anyone state-side, or even abroad, realizes; good and bad. I lost a couple of good rolls of film that I wish would have made it home and I always wonder what images that acetate held, but will never know. 3. If there was one thing that you could photograph for the rest of your life (without fear of starving to death) for the fascination of it, what would it be and why? I would probably continue to travel across Africa and try to capture those fleeting moments of joy and happiness amid the great overwhelming despair that Africa has endured over the centuries. Africa is an amazing place, that has captivated my soul, filled with incredible people that can teach us important lessons in life, family and perseverance. My heart goes out to all soldiers of all nationalities (and the suits and dollars that drive these conflicts), no matter your cause… please find a way to stop killing each other! Make it this year’s Christmas wish AND New Year’s Resolution… I am praying for Peace. Thanks for the interview Chris, hope we cross internet paths again. Kathleen
On occasion Mr. Axford has stirred the bubble cauldron with what some have coined ‘elitism’ due to the high standards that he expects of himself, but also from those around him, or at least a spark from the ‘photographer’ to understand commercial quality and what it means to the professional. Steve’s pursuit of the photographic eye has turned his attentions to some incredible scenes from below the equator. Jungles, volcanoes, poverty, sulfur mines. Scenes that are varied but most have some tinge of sadness, people studies from Indonesia show exactly how lucky we are… that makes me sad… tall growth forests that are being demolished… that makes me sad… hard working men emerging from massive green/yellow clouds of sulfur… that’s confronting! It’s the fungi and the volcanoes that Steve photographs which show a natural contrast in the delicacy and ferocity of our natural world. He’s even been known to do some conceptual portraiture, which he is better at than he would admit. As a big fan of the ‘volcanolotographer’ and the very competent (yet tough) co-moderator of the Wild Nature Group I interviewed Steve about what got him going, a sad story, what keeps him going and what he likes to see. Thanks to Steve for pouring his heart out… tripper! 1. Why do you do what you do…? / Do you mean why I take photos and why I take them of volcanoes, travel, people and fungi and things? A long story really, but here goes. / / Way back at the end of the last century – that would be about 10 years ago – my then wife, Pat, had just died of breast cancer and I was at a bit of a loss as to how to cope, when a travel brochure appeared in my letterbox. It was for adventure holidays, and among other destinations was one entitled “Volcanoes and Dragons”. I thought, that sounds different, so I booked myself on a 3 week adventure holiday traveling by fishing boat, bicycle and bimo from Flores to Bali. I didn’t even have a decent camera, so that bit comes a bit later. / / At that time I had been feeling a bit sick with stomach problems, so, just before I left for the holiday, I got a referral to see a specialist about it. I thought it was probably just a stress thing after Pat’s death; but apparently not. It seemed I had Hepatitis C. Now this was not good news as Hep C in 1998 was not a curable disease. / It seemed there was little I could do about it so I determined to carry on regardless and off I went to the volcanoes and dragons (the dragons being Komodo dragons). Since it was a malarial area, I thought that I’d best take some prophylactics and my doctor gave me some pills called Lariam. Lariam is out of favour now because it can cause some nasty psychiatric side effects, but the drug companies downplayed this at the time. It was a once a week pill and I had to take one a week before I left, which I did. A couple of days later I had an intense panic attack, which I thought was due to my general state of depression at the time and nervousness about traveling while sick. I recovered after a couple of days and flew to Jakarta. There were riots there at the time due to the monetary crisis which was expected to put 20 million people out of work in Java alone (can you believe that – the population of Australia!!), so I stayed in an airport hotel. I’d had my second lariam tablet the day I left, so it was working nicely when I arrived in Jakarta. That was some night. I started to “freak out” (I think this is the correct technical term) in my room and I felt I just had to get with some people or I would go mad. The journey from my room to the bar was terrifying as I felt totally lost and panicked the whole way. Eventually I found the bar and managed to relax by talking to the barman. He was a student who had had to quit studying when the monetary crisis hit. He traveled 5 hours, each way, to get to work every day. I was stunned and fascinated at the same time. I wanted to learn more about how people really lived in places like Java so maybe there where the people thing began, though I suspect the seeds were deeper than that. / / Anyway, I survived the night with the help of a couple of beers and a friendly barman, but then I had a long day’s travel the next day, first to Bali, and then on to Maumere in Flores. I was having panic attacks again, but managed to hold myself together for the flight to Bali. After waiting for 8 hours in Denpasar airport, they finally located a plane to take us to Maumere. I was starting to feel panicky again as I walked out to the plane. It was a Merpati airlines flight, though the plane was almost unidentifiable as all the paint seemed to be worn off and it was mostly down to bare metal. On board the seat I was in wouldn’t stop tilting as it was broken and the window had holes, both through the inner AND outer panes. Not surprisingly, we couldn’t fly above 3,500m as the pressurisation didn’t work; nor did the air conditioning so the plane was still very hot. / / Why am I talking about this flight? Well, perhaps it was because it was so intense and I was resigned to my life coming to an untimely and abrupt end on the side of an Indonesian mountain, ........ but then there was the volcano. We were flying through clouds when suddenly there was a clear patch. We were flying at about 3,500m, which put us 500m above a 3,000m volcano with the biggest crater I have ever seen. It was Tambora. The crater is 1km deep and 5km across and we were flying right along the edge of a 1000m cliff. I was suddenly no longer depressed or having a panic attack, I was just mesmerised. Check it out on Google Maps – it’s on Sumbawa in Indonesia and do a search on the eruption in 1816 that created that crater; it makes the Pinatubo eruption look like a fire cracker. The rest of flight was blissfully uneventful and I arrived safely on Flores to meet up with the tour group. On the first night the tour leader asked if anyone was taking lariam, because it was known to make people really paranoid. That was a huge relief to be told that, as I had thought I was genuinely going mad and this was “as good as it gets”. I stopped the lariam and the holiday was great and I had been reinfected with the travel bug and caught a new one, the volcano bug. / / The next 18 months was probably the worst part of my life. I was sick with Hepatitis and then sick with the newly developed treatment. I really did think that life as I knew may have ended and all I could do was just keep going and remember a line from Maxim Gorky’s writings – “Nothing lasts forever”. If it’s bad it will end, and if it’s good, appreciate it while it lasts. At the end of 6 months of chemotherapy (my last day was 31/12/1999) and a couple of months of recovery …..... I was cured!!!!! Now this was something to celebrate and to contemplate what really makes me tick. Travel was the first thing I planned. I went to Thailand, India and Burma that year and haven’t looked back since. I also bought my first digital camera and discovered that I could take the occasional good photograph – mainly because I found interesting things to photograph rather than having any wonderful artistic talent to be able to create something beautiful out of the very ordinary. I’ve never been able to do that. / / So that covers the travel, people and volcanoes, what about the fungi? Well, that’s just something that has been a passion of mine since I was a boy. I always loved searching for field mushrooms which were a popular meal in my family. Then, when I was a little older, I discovered magic mushrooms. I can’t say I liked eating them as they gave me a hell-of-a gut ache, but I loved searching for them and some of my friends were only to willing to take them off my hands. After I got my digital camera, and would go on bushwalks by myself I found that fungi actually made quite good subjects and there were many more varieties than just the grey or the golden ones. This became an excuse to go roaming around wet forests in Autumn and winter. / / Actually the photography is one big excuse to do what I love doing – travel, meeting people that seem so different but are really the same as us, climbing volcanoes and probably most of all, exploring the old growth forests of Australia and elsewhere. / / 2. What is your favourite subject? / Fungi – and volcanoes, and people, and – really anything that captures my imagination. I love macro photography because there are so many surprises and I love travel because it always stretches my imagination. 3. Volcanoes… which ones… why and how… how close have you been? / Not nearly as many as I would like. Krakatoa, Papandayan, Welirang, Bromo, Semeru, Keli Mutu all in Indonesia. Nyiragongo in Africa and Yasur in Vanuatu. Why? I happened to meet up with a couple of volcanologists who run volcano tours. First I traveled with them, and now I work with them – check it out http://www.volcanodiscovery.com/ Come along with me to climb 3 volcanoes (not too big) in Java in April or July. It’s a lot of fun and you get photo opportunities that even make me look good. Hope you don’t mind the plug. 4. What does quality mean to you? / An interesting question and I presume you are talking about photography. To me it means some real care and skill has gone into the production of the photograph rather than most of the effort into the marketing. It’s like seeing the difference between a David Attenborough documentary and the Funniest Home Videos. Both probably get similar ratings, but the Attenborough stuff is quality. Now some home movies are quality too, because the people who took them put in the effort to learn how to do it properly and have the talent to do it, even if they didn’t have the odd million or two to spend on the gear. I haven’t seen one of those on Funniest Home Videos. Quality isn’t anything to do with marketing. 5. Describe your love of nature… / Shit, describe it?. Nature is everything really. I think some people see man and nature as two separate things, but we are as much a part of it as the lions in Africa, or the fungi in a Tassie rainforest. I can’t understand how people can just stand by and allow so much to be destroyed, to gain so little. If we could bring back the Tasmanian Tiger I’m sure almost everyone would be overjoyed, but try to tell them that when the killed the last of them, We do know better now, but still we only seem to worry when the endangered species have big brown eyes like baby seals. It makes no sense to me. It’s like letting you fingers drop off because for just a moment you don’t need them.
I am waiting for my very own copy of this week’s featured shirt to arrive in the mail. It is Angry Jellyfish...
I am waiting for my very own copy of this week’s featured shirt to arrive in the mail. It is Angry Jellyfish / / by Chris Richards / / and it is my pleasure to step back this week to shine a spotlight here ... First and foremost! Do you, yourself, have a short attention span? Hmm… well, most who know me probably wouldn’t say so, but I’d say that I do! I don’t see it as a bad thing, though. I think that creative thinking results in sporadic thinking, or constant thinking and exercising of the mind… in peak circumstances, anyway. Not everyone may agree with me, I’m sure, but as far as I’m concerned if you aren’t working away 200% in the mind, then your creativity capacity has not been met. It’s not to say that great things can’t come out, but it’ll probably take longer. Again, personal opinion. Why Angry Jellyfish? In all honesty, it was a combination of a few things before the shirt made it to the final “Angry Jellyfish!” stage. At first I wanted something obscure and random, because obscure and random is often much more amusing than if I’d thrown a dog onto the shirt. The next thing I wanted was something that was not overly complicated to draw, as I am a photographer for a reason. So, once I came to the sudden conclusion that even a platypus was too difficult to draw, I looked for something even simpler. I ran through the animals I knew in my head, and when ‘jellyfish’ came up, nothing else seemed to be made up of simply squiggly lines and a semi-half-circle; simplicity rules all. Then it was just a matter of giving it some facial features, which they don’t have to begin with, so I thought making him angry in the process was the icing on the cake. What is your favourite tshirt you’ve ever worn? Well, I asked around and apparently had a nice shirt with three monkeys on it that would never come off me when I was three, but now, I really can’t say I’ve had a solid favourite shirt. Now, I am the youngest of three, so for a large part of my life anything that was brand new was always a treat, since older brother and, sigh… sister… hand-me-downs were only oh-so-fun and exciting. At the risk of sounding like a typical, cliche teenager, I’m into graphic tees and such, but nothing has come calling my name over anything else yet. I’m also a super warm person, so especially in the summer and even spring and fall, you’d have better luck finding me without a shirt on at all than with one, not that you all needed or wanted to know that ;) Where do you find inspiration? Oh, man. Inspiration? Everywhere… everything. I know I’m being featured here for my shirt, but if you really took a look at both me and other tshirt designers, its no secret that graphic design is second in line to my photography. Now, when it comes to my photos, a lot of what I like to shoot turns out to be the more small, obscure things, granted, they’re not portraits or street photography. I like turning the ordinary and unseen into something worth stopping to take a look at. The image in my folio Keyhole is actually on a chest we’ve had in our basement for years on end, and my entire family has noted how they’d’ve never stopped twice to look at it until they saw my photo. So, I guess it’s about finding the beauty in everything that’s around me, even if it’s not easy. You’re a young’un (17, folks) and already displaying some strong talent. So imagine you’re 40 and looking back over your life –– what are your highlights? Hmm, highlights, eh? Well, in all honesty I see a family in there at some point, but I’m slightly a softie like that… you’ll notice it too in my bio about what fits well in the palm of my hands. But I’d also like to have traveled more or less across the world and back again since there’s so much to see out there. Career wise, a successful freelance/commission business wouldn’t hurt, especially if it’s to National Geographic or some fine photographic establishment that just so happens to pay me to run out to amazing beautiful places to do what I love. I don’t know what it is yet, but I’d also like to make some kind of discovery, although I’ll let that slide past the 40 year mark if I have to. You know, shipwrecks and lost cities and the likes as little side adventures and photo ops on my main journeys. I talk a lot… Is there anything you’ve ever found vastly amusing that nobody else has? Plain and simple. While playing some video games one giddy night early in the morning, I looked down and, to my astonishment, I had feet. Yes, I found that extremely amusing. Why? I have no clue. Have they entertained me since? Not at all… but for 30 seconds, it was magical…. ...so, who’s going to stop reading this/NOT take an interest in my work because of that? ;) If you had the chance to put something in a time capsule to be opened in 100 years, what would you put in there? Frankly I’d like to leave some kind of mass storage of photos however I could, whether electronically or… I dunno, but there’d be a lot. Even looking back at photos of my parents, or grandparents, it looks like such a different time, almost unrealistic, yet the photos are proof. I also think photographs can communicate much more than what meets the eye (again, my bio.. Atwood quote) and, yea… I dunno. I guess ultimately everyone’s greatest fear that comes along with dying is how they’ll be remembered, or what sort of impact they made on the world. If my impact was revealing my world to an entirely different world, than I think I’d have done something amazing and significant. What awaits you in Europe? What are you looking for there? It’s actually nothing overly exciting, I hate to say. It’s a trip planned through the school, buuut I will be able to run around with all of my friends there for 18 days. We’re visiting 16 different cities in France and Italy, so it should be nice, and my apologies to all those in the UK for not stopping by =( For the greatest part, I love traveling and seeing the world – or, I think I will. I’ve always had the itch, and have traveled around parts of Canada on my own, but I want to get out of here and explore someplace new. I know it’s not backpacking, but I think it’ll be a nice crash course on the two countries for later adventures; for now, I have no problem having my stops planned, meals ready, and sights set to see. What do I want to see there? Everything, and I plan on getting as close to that point as I can, so be prepared for super photo uploadage when I get backl =) Aaand cut! Caanan here again, I also recommend Think but, head on over, check it all out ... And bubble on over next Sunday night/monday morning for a new Shirtheads! Caanan. Memory lane… The Original Strip BigFatRobot Chris Richards Paul McClintock David J Cunning Johdie Tambatoys Simon Sherry Ross Robinson Natalie Tyler thickblackoutline rubyred Liesl Yvette Wilson Chris Wahl Jaywalker sparklehen jemimalovesbigted purelydecorative nofrillsart Superteam: Non-Stop animo Tabita LilyM bahgoesthesheep LuckyVegetable o0OdemocrazyO0o MuscularTeeth
Indeed. It’s a long infamous history. From the dark ages of bubbledom there has been much rumour surrounding the identity of the artist often known as Khan. His associations have been lucrative, and some may say he rides the waves of foam and fame on the backs of t-shirt greats. His sheer abrasiveness, tainted with the eloquence of an editorial commentator is littered throughout the village, emanating with the stench of revolution while the carcasses of his former parodies lie around the old town hall of the Parody and Satire and Lampoon Group, seized and overrun by the extreme ideas of a sociopath. Q. What is the object of your ARSE initiative, and what is in it for you? A simple jaunt through the colourful halls of RedBubble will soon tell you that there is a lot of seriously fucking boring shit going on. I mean really bad. Take the Fungilicious group for example. They should be eating them, not taking photos. And then there is the RPA, which is drier than a nun’s knickers and twice as starchy. I shan’t say anything about ‘Living Christianity’ apart from my understanding of the word ‘living’ is, well, a little bit more alive. When RedBubble was but a little bubbling, things were looking much more optimistic. There is also quite a lot of whining and quite a lot of mutual masturbation. Nothing wrong with that, but you shouldn’t do it in public. To be fair it’s not big bubble’s fault it turned out this way. The square world is just a reflection of the round one, but I’d like to see more groups called ‘crazy shit i saw on holiday last year’ (I know Ms. Pryor would also), and less ‘panoramic views’, and I’d be really chuffed to see ‘fundamentally Islamic’ up on the board. In essence the ARSE movement is a reaction- an attempt to unite similarly ironically minded people and mobilize their collective power for whatever purpose their collective power is needed. to yell, as opposed to whine. it’s been riding on the back of Danny’s lampoon and parody group for the best part of a week, causing confusion, mayhem and disruption, but… we’ve just received news from big bubble of official recognition which may or may not change things, ‘cos I might fall off a cliff tomorrow, and everybody would have forgotten about it all by next Wednesday. What’s in it for me? I’m just trying to restock the rabbitollah’s harem, and make sure that when I log on to RedBubble i don’t get assaulted by pictures of llamas and short stories with punch lines. Q. Do you steal other people’s ideas, as has been suggested in the past? If not, why? Like anyone I take inspiration from anything I see. Occasionally other people’s work- if that’s the case I normally turn it on its head. I like playing with other people’s ideas or images, with the intent of changing their meaning entirely through some simple modification. to my mind that’s not really copying. That [expletive starting with c], who used to sit next to me in my Latin tests, looking over my shoulder, was copying. [Expletive starting with c] copy and I’m not a [expletive starting with c]. Q. As a creative soul, how do you find outlets for expression in Russia? What opportunities are there for exposure? In the ‘real world’ I work with pre-school children, specifically – the richest children in Russia. I’ve had 2 of the richest 10 families in Russia as my clients, and countless politicians, business leader etc in the last 5 years. i make materials for teaching the children- songs, animations, stories, plays etc- this year I recorded an album of educational kids hip hop for using in English lessons, and I’m submitting a picture book for publication with Egmont, who’ve just opened offices here. If I can add anything positive to the idea-base of the kids I teach, who will doubtlessly come to hold the reigns of the nation and their fortunes in the next couple of decades, then that is my outlet. For exposure there are galleries and magazines- the best English language magazine here is ‘the exile’ (exile.ru) fucking hilarious, and deeply disturbing at the same time. The only example of free press in Russia- (because it’s in English). And it’s very free. Never tried submitting anything to them due to the fact they seem to be doing quite a good job by themselves. Q. To be observant, you have done some travel around the place, how does this shape your expressive presentation of ideas? The world is round, not square. If you see something with your eyes, and not on a screen, you can understand it, not just observe it. This is one of the reasons that religion plays a big part in my work- i go to a Hindu temple, or an orthodox church, or a mosque, and i feel the same connection with the earth, with nature. Doesn’t matter what clothes it’s wearing, or what clothes I’m wearing. I also understood that the way people live is different. The philosophies, ideals, and morals by which they live, are different. There is no right or wrong. There is diversity, and that diversity exists only because it’s what people want. Do you think Islamic countries want democratic leaders, or strong military rulers? As my grandfather quoted from someone I’ve totally forgotten- ‘every country has the government it deserves’ (Joseph de Meistre). You think in India they want beef stroganoff on the menu. Different strokes for different folks. That understanding gives me the ability to happily include symbols from different places and cultures in my work that possibly might not be orthodox in its employment, but which I think is valid. I’ve never been to America; that is my mistake. / To my mind this travel is not just physical but psychedelic also. I probably did too much acid, about twice when I was out in Goa in my ‘formative years’, tripping for a couple of months at a time. Real flying in the heavens talking to trees shit. When I came back, I sort of discovered I was in Russia. Not the sort of thing you can book from a travel agent. it’s just like in the matrix with the blue pill or the red pill. Those that have understand what a fucking joke everything really is. Q. How do you expect you will revolutionize Russian in the next 5-10 years? I think my results will begin to kick in through the next 20-30.
This weeks Red Bubbler up for a quick 5 Q&A interogation is aphoto4you! / / !http://images-...
This weeks Red Bubbler up for a quick 5 Q&A interogation is aphoto4you! / / / / Her beautiful photographic imagery is focused upon nature and wildlife and each capture is usually filled with intense emotion and / or tenderness. I believe it’s best to let her art speak for itself… Check it out… / / / / Anyway, enough with the pleasantries and on with the Q&A with this amazing lady! / / PLV – 1. If money or responsibilities were not an option… where would you be right now and what would you be doing? / / I would love to be on SAFARI to Africa with my Nikon gears….and as a second choice might be photographing POLAR BEARS Money is always issue in life but i will try to get there regardless. / / PLV – 2. Did you grow up to be what you grew up wanting to be? Care to explain? / / NO… We were very poor… I lost father at age 11 and mother was poor… Sometime she had to wash my school uniform and dry overnight so i could have clean clothes for next day school… I wanted to be an architect but she couldn’t afford… so i finished and have masters in economics and later in life i achieved batchelor in gemology. / / PLV – 3. You are stranded on a desert island and given 5 foods you will have to eat for the rest of your life… What will you choose? Add a drink or two just for balance! / / I love my toast and butter and jelly and i can live on it days after days and give me pots of coffee… my only downfall… I dont drink or smoke but drink coffee galore. / / PLV – 4. Up until now, what has been the best year in your life and what happened in that year that made it so great? / / Year 1989 when i got married to wonderful man, who was excellent husband, surgeon, MD and friend and soul who gave me life… never again i will find anyting like it. / / PLV – 5. If you had been an actor/actress what 5 movies would you have loved to have starred in and why? I am so sorry i am not into movies nor do i watch TV….but my favorite from childhood was DORIS DAY movie THE MAN WHO KNEW TO MUCH…where she sings my favorite song QUE SERA SERA Honored am I to be a part of the REDBUBBLE community!
I’d like to extend a gracious thank you to Sky Fox for taking the time to open up and share so m…
I’d like to extend a gracious thank you to Sky Fox for taking the time to open up and share so much with us. How does being a creative person and pursuing your creativity affect other aspects of your life? When I stumbled across photography – I reached my Zen – finally! It was as if one huge part of me was missing and I could never put my finger on it. I couldnt fill that void. Not really a void but it was as if I didnt know all of me. Odd feeling in which I do not miss. It was as if I was a half circle until I found photography – then I came into full circle with nothing missing and everything in my vision. I was finally ‘full’! This was a period of time in my life where I was desperately searching for Enlightenment. Ask and you shall receive! Im now well on my way down the path to Enlightenment – at this point – and I have been blessed to have my camera with me all the way! However – I was not always the person I am today. I suffered horribly from Ego – as I had been thrown every obstacle LITERALLY possible yet I continued to walk on and rise above. I had to be convinced I was going to Kick this worlds ass or it was going to eat me alive – those were my two options. Through that time I had to be a ‘bad ass’ or die. So I lived in darkness until my 20’s as my EGO was driving me rather than my Enlightenment – for I had none. I had a fairy rough go in the early years of my life which I dont whine about – it has made me the person I am today. However – when one has to overcome such drastic and severe obstacles for mere survival – one tends to go into EGO mode to make it through. Its a natural human condition. One CAN NOT possess both EGO and ENLIGHTENMENT – therefore – I had to let one go. The one would be my Ego, Amen! So there I was – 14 – some lil Cherokee girl with a dead Granny and no one else that wanted her – same as the day I was born which is why Granny raised me til she died in the first place. So – I did as Granny instructed and left the reservation the second she drew her last breath – knowing the ‘government’ (very scary to Native Americans) was coming to do with me whatever they saw fit. In short because I do tend to be verbose – being creative allows me to express myself as strongly as I would like to – now that I lack any and all Ego. Expressing yourself is much easier when youre suffering from your Ego. You simply do what an ass would do under said situation. Without an Ego however – one sees the forest and the trees! All of the light shines straight on you! You dont need a spotlight! You have one already burning – forever! There are no more battles for you arent willing to fight! You have nothing to prove to anyone for your actions speak louder than words ever could. Being creative allows me to better explore my path to Enlightenment and hope others will come with me! It also gives me a platform to touch issues I feel need more attention in our society. / __ Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on redbubble particularly special or meaningful Oh wow – this one is impossible! I am literally inspired by everyone! All of us have our own special style. Allow me to instead tell you whom on redbubble has helped me make this venture both professional and profitable: / When I first came to the bubble – I met a guy named Karl Denton / Instant connection! He cared for me and likewise I too care for him. He took HIS time and a bit of money to set me up with a site and an email – both extremely professional. I will never forget this gesture and to this day I love him dearly! Not only because he is awesome but because he genuinely cared about me. Also – I must mention Mr Sean Farragher / This man has supported me from a point-and-shoot all the way to DSLR! He has hit EVERY single solitary piece of my work! He has rooted for me and is so very kind – loving – supportive and encouraging! I am so blessed he even knows my name! Making the Home Page is always a very special and humbling experience! Very meaningful to me to be acknowledge in such a way amongst so many astonishing artists! I LOVE every single one of you – even the ones that hate me – for they are still suffering from their ego. No one can possibly hate me unless its spawned from evil jealousy because I know – as you know – I have never hurt anyone in my life. Ever. I am known for going out of my way for people. I rest in that. I will give them time to get onto this wonderful path and all will be forgotten! But nonetheless – I love those people too and hope they soon find their path. / __ Show & tell us about five works on redbubble that have moved or inspired you. Easy! Artist: Scott Ruhs / Artist: Dennis Rubin / Artist: Brad Sauter / (Too many misunderstand my flag. This flag is about PRIDE NOT RACISM. Get over the whole being offended over it!!! I adore it as much – if not moreso – than the American Flag. Its about PRIDE. Nothing less – nothing more. I am American by Birth and Southern by the grace of God and Im not afraid to express that. (If this flag bothers you – read more. You have much to learn.) Artist: Andy Harris / Artist: Nikki Mulkern / Thank Y’all so much for taking interest in my interview. I appreciate all of you! Redbubble is such a healthy place and I am so very blessed to be here with all of you! I am very grateful for my talent because with it came many… MANY friends. A lot of love here and Im all about giving it and taking a bit. Thanks for showing me some love in asking me these questions. I hope you found my answers of interest! Love, Peace and Tolerance, ~ Sky Fox / _______ Also checkout MuscularTeeth’s interview with Karin Taylor.
Next up in the series of artist interviews that started here...
Next up in the series of artist interviews that started here is the marvelous John Douglas. / / My first encounter with the work of John Douglas left me reeling and I have been ever since. He can turn his hand to any medium and format and create something thought-provoking, emotive, edgy, soulful and uniquely his own. His knowledge of artists and art movements is vast and his support to other artists is commendable. I would personally like to thank him for his input on Redbubble and for his beautiful art and nature. So without further ado here is my interview with John Douglas.......... How does being a creative person and pursuing your creativity affect other aspects of your life? / Apart from reading (I am an avid reader) my existence centres on creativity, and all else is secondary. My ‘day job’ is as a travel photographer. / My great love is painting. I also dabble in ceramics, film, composing music, drawing, printmaking, writing. / I have so many ideas rushing in, clamouring for attention, it is hard to keep up. But I try; I am always writing notes so I can come back to an idea later. / I generally work until I am exhausted. Late at night when I am about to go to sleep an idea will come and I think, “NOOOOOOOOOOO! Let me rest!”, or the inspirations come knocking in dreams and won’t leave me alone until I get up and do something. But if it came to it, I would rather have this way of life than not. / I’ve given a long-winded reply, but basically I have no other life than pursuing creativity; this is the way it has been since I was a young child. I have no concept of what it must be like to have a life that has other aspects to it. Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on redbubble particularly special or meaningful. / Victor Barker I am very happy to know he is on redbubble. I have been friends with Victor Barker since my late teens. Together we have seen each other through many ups downs and arounds in life, and I love and admire Victor’s drive to create and explore. / Currently Victor primarily focuses on writing, though his creative interests have a broad range, from film to painting to music to photography and on… I admire that he is never afraid to leap in wherever his muse calls him. / Victor to me embodies the idea of “your life is your art”. / Conversation with Victor is a delight, for his artistic sensibilities, his humour, his intelligence, knowledge, his anecdotes. From meditative practices in remote mountain ashrams to tales of drinking binges with Francis Bacon and Lucien Freud; from discussions on novels with Paul Bowles to working with the early pioneering use of LSD as a psychoanalytic tool; to talking music with Billie Holliday to outrunning Fijian coups; life on the sea, life as a yogi devotee – conversation with Victor never fails to inspire me to reach ever higher. / When I think of significant writers of the last fifty years, writers who have also explored other creative avenues and who have led BIG lives – Paul Bowles, William Burroughs, Gore Vidal – I cannot think of these writers without thinking of Victor Barker . Show & tell us about five works on redbubble that have moved or inspired you. Industrial I by Susan Grissom / Susan’s background in restoration of ninth-century architecture in Italy, her vast knowledge of modern art, her love of jazz and blues inform this work with a combination of deft, painterly texturing, savvy cool and hints of underlying passion. / I admire this painting’s successful combination of emotion, technique and knowledge. That it references art history while making it’s own statement. How effortlessly Susan manages to make the work monumental yet intimate. / Industrial I dances on the tightrope and makes my heart sing. Home Page by Helen Bascom / This work by Helen Bascom is one of the more important works on redbubble. With a few quick lines, Helen manages to convey rage, love, social commentary and humour. The themes explored by this work range from redbubble content, the status of women, standards in society, Helen’s soul. Home Page covers many big themes with great heart and a simplicity of line and technique, and a damn cheeky wit. Cityscape by Shayne Chester / Shayne always inspires with his drive to create and his determination not to give ground to the intellectual gymnastics and posturing of so much celebrated contemporary painting. I love Cityscape for the elegant brushwork and superb composition. I love the diversity of Shayne’s abilities, from his adroit photography to his strong and challenging sociopolitical poster work, to his sensitive paintings. Cityscape uses a bold landscape format to create a consummate portrait of introspection. I love that Cityscape uses an outer image to reveal an inner world; it is for me a compelling argument why well-crafted traditional painting will always have relevance, no matter how post-post-post modern Mary Boone et al. say we should become. Galway on a Good Day! by Joni Philbin / I am a great lover of the naïve technique and composition in Joni’s paintings. There is a freshness to Galway on a Good Day! that delights me. I like how Joni’s work, no matter the apparent subject, seems to be primarily about exploring an inner world with honesty and an open heart. Joni’s painting is fluid yet charmingly childlike, and develops further with every new work she presents. Joni reminds me that making art is primarily about the process and evolving the soul, not about making a so-called finished picture. Apartment One by Martin Venit / I admire Martin as he is a musician who has explored further and successfully with his photography. I like Martin’s no-nonsense technique in his photos, the hint of urban musicality, the eye for rhythm and the gaps between. / The Apartment One series of photographs by Martin document the apartment of his brother David. David died from complications arising from AIDS. Martin’s photographs are simple, stark. The “flat” documentary style and minimal post processing allow the subject to breathe. I enjoy a good Photoshopped image, but there are also times when filters and fiddling get in the way and can smother an image. / Martin’s Apartment One (and series) shows how effective having a good eye and just letting the camera record can be. Late at night, just before I go to sleep, the image of 1A on David’s door sometimes appears under my eyelids. What is the primary reason you make and enjoy experiencing art? / I make art because I have to. I don’t always enjoy it. Name some artists that have shaped the way you see the world. / Yoko Ono, Paul Klee, Kate Bush, John Fowles, Louise Bourgeois, Claude Monet, Vincent Van Gogh, Leonardo Da Vinci, Marc Chagall, Diane Arbus, Oscar Wilde, Camille Claudel, Pablo Picasso, E.J. Bellocq, George Braque, Joel-Peter Witkin, John Lennon, Gore Vidal, Joseph Beuys. Thank you endlessly John x / Stay tuned for my second redbubble artist interview coming soon.
A very talented artist with an heart as big as the univers,I want you to meet…......... / Chris...
A very talented artist with an heart as big as the univers,I want you to meet…......... / Chris / / / / How does being a creative person and pursuing your creativity affect other aspects of your life? Actually I haven’t ever thought of myself as “creative”. For me, it’s all about the lighting and where I am and what is around. I have always tried to be different in what I see or shoot, and attempt to make people see or feel what I felt when I shot it. So many times when I am in my mountains, I have people stop and ask if I am getting any “good shots”, my reply is always, “what do you concider good?”. They are usually meaning did I get any bear, deer, etc. Of course I go for that, but I like going for the little things in life that make the big things survive. The insects, tree trunks, flowers and so on. I want to share with the world the small things in life, things they dont think about. / As far as my life goes. I havent ever been a trend follower, I have always been more of a trend setter. I guess it’s part of individuality. I have always felt if I follow another’s way of life, how can I find myself and who I am. For me it’s the little things in life that make the largest impact, rather then the big things which are usually quickly forgotten. I feel we must keep the humor in life, without it, we just slowly drift away from our inner child. Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on redbubble particularly special or meaningful? This is a tough question. Just saying one person or moment doesnt do it justice. It is the site as a whole that has made an impact for me here on redbubble. You, and so many others that have supported my work and inspire me to do the very best I can, to stay creative. The administration has made me a very proud member of this growing community. Where else can you go with so much talent and go around the world while sitting in your bivies? “blushing” / Redbubble is just like family, we all get along and then we have our moments of when we dont get along, it’s just like a family. Show & tell us about five works on redbubble that have moved or inspired you? Just five??? That is all I get to choose?? That isnt fair!! There is so many and so much here that inspires and moves me daily. But if I can only choose five, these are my picks. First and foremost, is a piece called Time is ticking by Marianne Venegoni,photoeyes , / I have loved this piece of her’s since I first saw it years ago. Time has always amazed me, on how we always have to wait for it, but it doesnt ever wait for us. / / My next is the very first card and (for now) the only card I have bought on RB, it’s the work of Maggie, aka Dinghysailor1 / Her work called loch of the lowes. I love the stillness and peaceful feel to this shot. Love how the mountains tower over the loch with it’s peaceful waters. One can almost smell the salt water as they view this. I even have the card close to my computer so I see it daily. / Then we have a very young photographer, keegan wong / His shot of salvation just shows how we really are, it doesnt matter how many people w are around, it all boils down to us being alone, and finding ourselves. / Even tho everyone knows I dont use programs, I must admit, this one artist is one of the very best I have ever seen in my life by taking a picture from within her mind, and creating it thru digital art, that is Annika Stromgren / Tropical cove is one of my many many fav’s of her work. / / And last but not least, is Helen Bascom / I admire her passion for fighting for the cause for ALL of us. She does a lot of what us all just talk about doing. The shot I am choosing of her’s is a creative shot, and of course a humorous one. Even tho the shot was done in protest at the time,Home page…, the simplicity of it, is just awesome. Now of course she will probably blast me for using this one of her’s, with so many other impact shots she has, but this is a classic, one for the reason it was created, and two for the simplicity of it. / So this is me in a nutshell. I’m just a photographer who will shoot anything as long as my “eye” sees it. I love shooting everything, doesnt matter if it’s a landscape, wildlife, nature, people, whatever. Just make sure I have camera in hand and the light is just right. / Thanks so much for asking me for an interview, it still hasnt sunk in that you chose me out of ALL the talent here. I am honored and flattered.
After going thru the process of being interviewed by micmac, my next project was to find two oth…
After going thru the process of being interviewed by micmac, my next project was to find two other people to interview. One of the very first people that came to mind was Maggie..aka dinghysailor1 I am honored to be able to give to you Maggie’s Interview. How does being a creative person and pursuing your creativity affect other aspects of your life? (blushes nervously and wriggles a bit..) / Well…it’s such a HUGE honour to be asked this by you Chris!! I’m still reeling and trying to get my head around being called ’ a creative person’ cos I’ve never been able to draw or paint for toffee or play music or sing…. (but do love looking and listening and growing flowers and veg in an untidy informal way..oh yes and sailing and dancing and sailing and sailing some more of course!!) Since my wonderful work buddies gave me my first digital camera a year ago I suppose I have just tried to ‘capture’ rather than ‘create’ a special moment, a trick of lighting or a glimpse of beauty so others can share and I can revisit it.. . This probably carries on from my years of family snapping (to a chorus of groans and grimaces…. sound familiar to anyone?) They are now puzzled and relieved when I ask them to move out of the way teehee… and i have been so inspired by the amazing lucky results from a simple pocket camera that I take on (nearly) every dog walk and outing! I am just now beginning to aspire to move on to something with a bit more zoom and flexibiltiy… but still love it to bits !! (its a pocket fujifilm finepix 500a ) Roving redbubble has given me enormous pleasure and inspiration and its global reach just fuels my enthusiasm for going out and about with my camera at every opportunity to see what presents… sharing fleeting beauty with others is such a positive affirming act as is writing and discussing art across continents ! Tell us about one person or moment that has made your time on redbubble particularly special or meaningful Of course this has to be you Chris Ewing!! our wonderful Fogmaster himself! Since we met in the earliest days of the shots in the fog group, (3rd person from here on …. Chris has seen and encouraged something in me I didn’t know was there and when he persuaded me to let my dawn mist shot be group avater it was an incredible moment only bettered by the very first purchase of my work (by FM Himself!) which gave a warm glow I still cherish and at the same time gave me some cred with the family who were just as gobsmacked and bowled over as me …..:)) Chris has inspired with his positive and encouraging running of the fog group and I know there are so many out there that have also benefitted from his warm unpatronising and unfailingly generous support. He is also a phenomenally talented and modest photographer with a real integrity whose work is so technically good that it does not need tweaking and fiddling with !! his latest fireworks and dinosaur / shots are just amazing examples as is pollen party even better in purchased reality!! / So thanks Chris for all of the above and most especially for just being you! Tell us about five works on redbubble that have moved or inspired you? Wow that’s impossible to limit to only 5 !! everyone has had some new angle and freshness of work but here is just a small sample… but there are many many more on my watchlist and throughout this incredible site…. / “Helene Kippert”:http://www.redbubble.com/people/helene image called Horses 6 was one of the earliest pictures I encountered on rb scrolling through with a close friend who also has some difficulties learning at the rate some of us others manage… We were so mutually inspired we bought this and she has since gone on to seek out and attend many months of computing and literacy classes in the middle of busy shiftwork in order to be able to access this incredible site and more images like this one of helens… inspiring or what!!! / Craig Maquire ’s reflections and lines / Craig showed me how to upload my first digi pics and is a modest young man with great talent who at 23 has a current exhibition of his work in the prestigeous Broughton Gallery near Peebles in Scottish Borders. of course I love anything to do with the sea and the seaside and although this wonderful picture is the well deserving avater for the Stillness Speaks group it still makes me want to turn cartwheels in the soft wet rippley sand……(don’t spose I’ll ever grow up now.. :) / A work that moved me to tears is a raw powerful piece of art by a very special person who has some soaring joyful and uplifting pieces in her wonderful gallery.. by spiritinme / depression / As the sun sets by the couragous indomitable Mar Silva who inhabits the high country of Yosemite as naturally as if it were her backyard and brings it right to our screens… / / and finally Travis Easton ’s wave rock and other fine tasters of Wilson’s Promentory area are equally inspiring examples of commitment to wilderness beauty and preservation… keep it up mate! / Wave Rock / Thanks so much for all the fantastic support and encouragement over recent months!! and I have not even mentioned dear buddies like reflector, peter hill, joak, jldunn,kelly bermingham, puffling, etc ete etc etc etc…….. mates you all know who you are and what you mean to me here on this site !! hope anyone reading this will drop by anytime for a natter!!! / cheers / maggie (aka ding) / :))) Thanks Maggie for an outstanding opportunity for interviewing you :)
A big thank you to Aloramyst Shelly Heath and “C …
A big thank you to Aloramyst Shelly Heath and C J Lewis for including me in their exciting new ezine Digital Abstracts and Patterns. Thanks too for all your hard work in putting the ezine together. I’m thrilled to be part of it! :o) My interview is here and the art is here.
It feels so good to receive a Bubble Mail from Rosa Cobos. She always ends her missives with…
It feels so good to receive a Bubble Mail from Rosa Cobos. She always ends her missives with “Have A Hug”. Now isn’t that just like her? Giving out her prized smile each and every time one comes in contact with her Spirit. LINAJI INTERVIEWS ROSA COBOS What a Spirit! Rosa has a mind like Friedrich Nietzsche, only with a Heart as big as the Grand Canyon; and for those who have never seen the Grand Canyon, it is very, very vast indeed. put cursor over images and be transported to the site / / Her support of others through her gift of collaboration or the poems she leaves at your dooorstep inspired by your artwork is boundless. Rosa Cobos creates some of the most conceptual and beautiful art I have ever seen. Rosa is complex and at the same time so very approachable. It has been my pleasure to get to know her more and yes, edit I did. Her mind is far beyond mine!! And I am content to keep it that way. I call this interview ‘Seeing Life Through The Eyes of Rosa Cobos’. / / THROUGH CRYSTAL TEARS / I dream you… / You are hidding… / Agitation in Light.. / A candle in each tear.. / hanging from space loneline.. / of intranscending beauty. Can you hear me.. my… / fingers tapping melodies.. / on the window of your eyes? / Crystal tears… hanging from… / space loneline.. / of … / unheard rhymes. Thoughts in crystal tears.. / iced music..away from blood / away from here and now.. / and still… unmoving.. / without… / a consuming sun. Stars does not sound up there… / but inside of my heart. / RosaCobos 1. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT IS ART? For me art is working within my own Human Psyche. The four main functions of our Psyche are the Emotional, Intellectual, Intuitive Creative and Bodily Senses. Carl Jung suggested what we need, in order too not only ‘be in the world, but to ‘BE OF THE WORLD’ which was to harmonize these parts of the psyche. To do this I feel we have to get under the daily grind, the mundanely of life and connect with our Soul to a profound place within, an almost hidden place that will help to make us Whole. We found music, Music, the origin of creation, Graphic Arts, like the maps of Conciseness with all the rules of colors, patterns proportions and we have created Theater that brings us close the mysteries of our own behavior. Dance expresses the boundless beating of our human heart. All cultures share the same human soul. Art is a way to see this is so. 2. WHAT INSPIRES YOU IN YOUR LIFE AS OF NOW, TO CREATE? My daily surroundings, photo’s already taken, my completely absorbed subconscious in the events that occur in the same place I may visit again and again; like maybe a church, a park a bench or a promenade. When I see the sky or the river. Each day I am not the same person, I have evolved just a little more and mix that with the fact that circumstances are never the same. New people new moments. I try to let these moments speak for themselves. I try to hear what they are saying to me NOW. It is like this, something occurs an image bloops out of my interior, I then decide what I am going to do next! Sometimes I am completely spontaneous and it is light movements, winds, certain faces may appear. You see, all of my moments carry plenty of meaning for me! I started to create Poetry long before coming here but the art of what I will call ‘others’ speaking to me when I write out my comments to fellow artists here in poetic form, seems to have developed more here. I feel it comes from a wider spectrum of existence, that it transcends my thinking mind and I feel that Rosa Cobos is not in the way for a bit. This is very brief point in time, but quite addictive, I promise. And I must thank all here that inspire me. 3. Tell us about artists you grew up with from all walks of life that you were inspired by. My father for one, cared deeply for art in his own way. He bought me many books with wonderful reproductions of art in all expressions. He himself was a wonderful painter/artist. He kept his talent for art in the background of his life through circumstances but quite miraculously he was ‘forced’ to earn his living teaching art techniques. He however never took the time to teach me what he knew. I am self-taught in that fashion. I am drawn to artists who have a big Soul shining in their work and could be remembered as a bit Crazy or Mad even. Frieda Kahlo, Escher, Leonardo Da Vinci, and some classical Baroque. I tend to fall ‘In Love’ with those past and now that inspire me in any way towards my love of colors and design. One such incident happened when I was watching a documentary on TV about Hansel Adams. When I felt the bloop.. He was here inside me! I feel his soul into my own, like an unconscious calling forth I am reminded that we are a wide bunch all of us. We have a piece of others inside us over the centuries; we have all in our remembering genes. 4. If you could tell a person new to allowing Creativity to become an important consideration in their lives, what piece of sage advice would you give them on how you have integrated Art into your life? Ufff.. !!! I would not dare!! How can I give sage advice? I need some of this myself!! But I can tell what I have done up to this point. Creativity for me is a challenge. Due to my life story, my creative force was a bit buried and undeveloped. But it is a calling an urge. That is my fact. If I do not follow my urge for creating, and as I mentioned in the first question, there is a wide rage for creating, I can feel the unhappiness fester inside me. It manifests as empty, sore, embittered ect. So one must start..NOW!! Do not compare yourself with others expectation or comply with something that does not feel like your true creative desire. They don’t get it. Find others who do. Share, learn, dare go express!! Explore your dark side in which you will see your envy, your yearning for recognition, and your self-criticism. And then too you feel the lighter side of your being, your singing, your praising voice, and your own voice. Sing, Sing, without any tone, without any music, without any meaning. Just Sing! 5. What do you think that being here on Red Bubble has done to add to your life as an Artist? A sharing flow maybe. I did not feel a stranger here. The first time I uploaded a photo, someone was there just for me, and it was a miracle. Not only the appreciation I feel here but the company! That fact is we are all trying to respect each other’s work and give encouragement to our work. We see the value in each other’s work. / Artists that are very accomplished I reside with. What a lovely feeling to be in the same tribe. Being an artist is a lonely road sometimes that others outside our circle do not fully comprehend. So when you come upon a situation like this site and you feel the arms all around you and the willingness to share and talk I am feeling very good about this. / I could say so much more. But. Time. I do want to say to explore your dark side, as it is fascinating how human emotions are active and madly working in a site like this. As I mentioned above the dark side’s elements of envy, rough criticism and how we feel when that happens, all the good and bad are here, as it should be. However here I find more Love, compassion, generosity and companionship than the latter. / I will tell you a “secret”. I was offended by a photo once and asked the staff here to ban the piece. I scolded the author. Then lately I found out this was not so much bad and the person really meant no harm. They were using this photo as a meaning of provocation and it was simply misdirected. So I could see my own censorship and Puritanism appear. Me myself who ‘hates’ Puritanism with all my heart began to act like one!! Funny isn’t it? I do not want to say more except that it has been quite a pleasure. I tend to write and talk a lot. Ahhh that is one of the things that writing for other’s works has taught me…. / ‘HITTING ON THE NAIL’!! / Receive all my Love, All of You. / Now, Have a Hug, / Rosa /
Lasse Damgaard is a 19 year old photographer from Denmark. He is also one of RedBubble’s …
Lasse Damgaard is a 19 year old photographer from Denmark. He is also one of RedBubble’s top sellers when it comes to wall art. Let’s find out what Lasse is doing so right. Vitals: / Works on RedBubble: 41 / Artwork descriptions: short and descriptive, no bling / Tags: 5-10 main key words per image / Groups: member of 1 geographical group / Journals: none / Other sites: personal site coming soon, deviantART / Christian Science Center by Lasse Damgaard Tell us a bit about yourself as an artist and how that fits in with the rest of your life. / / Well, at the moment, almost all of my time is being put into photography – I’m attending a photographic school, learning about the world of analogue photography, something I have never worked with before, so it’s nice to discover a whole new side of yourself. During the last two years, I’ve been switching between working over hours for months, without having any time or energy to spare for creativity, and temporarily quitting my job to travel the world in search of beautiful pictures and portraits – until I go broke and have to take a seat behind the register at the supermarket once again. / / / European Portraits No. 10 by Lasse Damgaard What about your sales on RedBubble? Do you have a best seller? / / I think my best selling picture is one titled ‘Carousel’ – for that simple reason that it’s timeless. It’s a shot of a ride in a danish amusement park, but judging from the picture alone, it can almost be placed anywhere between the present and a hundred years back – and I think that’s what people like so much about it. / Carousel by Lasse Damgaard / / How do you promote your art outside of RedBubble? Apart from an upcoming personal website, I have spent an enormous amount of time and energy on deviantART.com, which was also the birthplace of my interest in photography. Although I don’t have as much time to spare now as I did when I first joined the site, I still check it on a regular basis, and still stumble over amazing photographers from time to time. / Luxembourg by Lasse Damgaard As a photographer, what services do you offer? I’ve been a volunteer photographer for a few events, latest one held by the Danish Cancer Society, and have done some freelance work for companies from time to time, just to make a little extra on the side. I don’t always enjoy it though, since it mostly puts a stop to the creative way of thinking, because you suddenly have all sorts of rules you have to follow! Oh, and I don’t do weddings. Never again. / ARoS by Lasse Damgaard Imagine your at an exhibition opening and a potential buyers says to you “tell me about your art?” – what do you say? / / I think my answer would go something along the lines of “Art? What art? I don’t see any art around here! Just pictures!”. I’ve grown so tired of the words ‘art’ and ‘artist’, that when I hear either, they both sound strangely like ‘bullshit’! I’ve seen too many stuck-up, self absorbed, talentless people use it about themselves and the crap they make, to take it seriously – and have simply decided to boycott it! / The Passenger by Lasse Damgaard / / How well do your personal favourites sell? / / My personal favourite has surprisingly not made a single sale. Others have strangely become some of my favourites after they started selling, not because I make a little money off of them, but because it’s nice to see that people appreciate them! / / / Winterdream by Lasse Damgaard How do you price your work? / / Well, to be honest, I’m not on RedBubble to make a living. I like the fact that something I have made is out there, making someone happy, or perhaps intrigued, so I tend to set my prices low so people can afford it! / Spring by Lasse Damgaard / / How well do your limited edition prints sell compared to unlimited prints on RedBubble? I just started selling limited editions and I have to admit sales aren’t exactly going as well as they are on RedBubble… But hopefully, with a bit of luck, I’ll one day be able to make enough off of it to quit my job and travel the world! Ah yes, daydreams are wonderful, aren’t they? / Discontent by Lasse Damgaard Lasse will be dropping in on this thread so please feel free to ask questions in the comments
Glennis Siverson is one of RedBubble’s top sellers when it comes to wall art. So I strapped her…
Glennis Siverson is one of RedBubble’s top sellers when it comes to wall art. So I strapped her down and prodded her until she told me how she does it. / Stillness in Motion by Glennis Siverson Tell us a bit about yourself as an artist Being a photographer is my day job. I hung up my corporate high heels for good in March 2008 so I could finally do what I most love doing – capturing images. I do all my own editing, filing, marketing, etc, but I hope to hire an assistant in 2009. I am at a point now where I need some help to keep up with post-production needs and keeping things organized. / The Stylist by Glennis Siverson Tell us about your sales on RedBubble / / The biggest RedBubble sale so far was a poster of my image “Lighthouse”. My most popular images are “Nude 2”, “Liu Sanjie Blue” and “Cathedral Reflected”. I only recently expanded into fine art nude work, so it’s nice that people like it. I think that with all of these images, they don’t just look like photographs, they are artistic. One person described it as “filmic”. That is my theory anyway. :-) / Liu Sanjie Blue By Glennis Siverson Where else besides RedBubble can we see and buy your work? I have a “purchase products” page on my website at www.glennisphotos.com. This page has a few links that take you to sites where my work can be bought. So far, I have had the some success with zazzle.com, but I started selling my work online just this year, so I’m still learning what’s out there and what resources are best. A corporate art dealer in Los Angeles found me through WIPI, and she recently sold 5 of my images to a hospital in California. They are hanging in a new neonatal wing at St. Mary’s in Apple Valley, CA. In September I sold quite a few prints at an arts festival, where I also was fortunate to get some local press coverage. I am planning to submit my work to a few fine art galleries in 2009 – working on that now. Hopefully my work will be accepted. / Reed Flute Cave by Glennis Siverson What creative services do you offer? Yes, I started out with a focus on stock photography, so I can do about anything. I have photographed events for MTV, Hard Rock Cafe, EA Sports and others; shot several corporate headshot assignments, recently did a couple ad campaigns and was featured in an editorial piece for Albuquerque Magazine, did a music album cover earlier this year, destination weddings (my favorite was Jamaica), birth and maternity, fine art, travel work (favorites are China and Turkey so far), and documentary. Portraiture is especially popular too, for both people and pets. I have recently been collaborating with the artist Shawhouse too. It is a lot of fun to work with someone and to come up with a piece of artwork together. He has a wonderful imagination and sense of fun. We are working on a few pieces now. / Clouds Pass By by Glennis Siverson Imagine your at an exhibition opening and a potential buyers says to / you “tell me about your art?” – what do you say? Well, I was recently notified that my work has been selected for an international exhibition with the Center for Fine Art Photography, so I’ve been asked that question. I answer by saying what others have said they like about my work. The most consistent response is that I capture feeling, not just an image. And that is usually my goal – to invoke something emotional or something that has a certain feel associated with it. I also strive to achieve creative, unique images that have been shot in a way no one else has done. / Lightning Over Adair by Glennis Siverson What of your images sells the best? Sometimes it is surprising what images are more popular than others, but I usually know when I have just captured something special… I can feel it – everything just comes together and I reach in and grab it. For example, Sweet Dreams and Late Night Billiards get enormous positive response. “Late Night Billiards” and “Liu Sanjie Blue” have also been designated as hot photos on jpgmag.com. Other very popular images are Angel of Light, Ollie, Laughter and In a Nightmare. Angel of Light and Ollie have been featured on the RB homepage. The positive response to In a Nightmare has been a surprise, because it’s a self portrait that is different from what I usually do – a bit more intense, and it was more of an experiment in light and emotion vs. my trying to get a certain look. But it worked, and I learned a lot from it. I love experimenting and not knowing exactly what the end result will be. That is the most fun for me. What rationale do you use when pricing your work? I ask if there is a specific budget allocated, I research what others are charging, and I also bought software made especially for photographers to help price and bid competitively. The Photographer’s Market book is a great resource too. / Late Night Billiards by Glennis Siverson Who buys your art? I’m still learning, and I’m thinking about my art, what I most like shooting, etc. to assess whether I should focus more on a particular style and look. It’s still evolving, which will in turn help me market to certain demographics in the future. For now, I’m trying different things and learning what feels best for me as an artist. I have discovered that I am less and less drawn to stock photography because it is too staged…. too manufactured. Life is not like that, and I like to capture life. (If that makes sense!?) / Sweet Dreams by Glennis Siverson How do you market your work online? I keep my website updated with new images, and it also has a “share this image” feature built into it; I have my website address and RedBubble address listed as part of my email signature; have profiles on Facebook, MySpace, Linkedin I send out periodic updates and new work alerts to a mailing list of folks. I have my contact information listed at WIPI and ASMP too, where I am a member. / In the Mirror by Glennis Siverson
Little Helen has been a RedBubbler since July 2007 and is the queen of the RB interview. Sh…
Little Helen has been a RedBubbler since July 2007 and is the queen of the RB interview. She’s uncannily good at charming her subjects into revealing all sorts of juicy details about themselves. Bellmusker is an “authoress” extraordinaire who joined RedBubble in April 2007. She has been involved in organising the Melbourne Writers’ Meets for the past 18 months and has made a wonderful contribution to the writing community on RedBubble. So pour yourself a refreshing beverage, sit back and enjoy as the sophisticated misfit interviews the one who’s afraid of crumpets. / / Little Helen: Bell … how much life has changed for you since you first joined RedBubble? / / Bellmusker: My two years on RB have brought so many changes – I can barely imagine my life without it! I’d never put my writing out into the world before posting my first piece, ‘Fire’, and I can see such a progression between that and my present writing. Having a close community of writers to workshop with has been invaluable for my craft and my confidence, and I became brave enough to actually send my work to publishers. Since I joined I’ve had nine stories accepted for publication, I’m now working on a novel, and I’ve been asked to speak at the Melbourne Emerging Writers’ Festival I’ll be discussing writers’ groups and their magic, so RB will definitely get mentioned! On a personal level it’s been invaluable – it’s brought several people into my life that I now consider my closest friends. I went through a particularly dark period of agoraphobia in my twenties and when I joined, I was still living in its shadow: I wasn’t the most social of creatures. Having the inspiration and support of these amazing artists has really helped me to step back into the world with my head held high. The Melbourne group in particular is extremely vibrant, and not a week goes by that I don’t catch up with someone for drinks and laughter. I’ve just returned from Canberra to visit the glorious Holly Ringland, and you and I are headed to the States in a few weeks to strut through the streets of New York with the divine MsTrace – cannot wait! Joining RB has opened my life up in ways I’d never envisioned when I clicked that first upload button. / / / LH: You began organising Writers’ Meets for Melbourne RedBubblers (and should be credited for that) a while ago now. How are they going and have they been successful for you? / / B: The meetings are wonderful! The Melbourne Writers’ Group meets on the first Sunday of each month at a pub in Northcote, and we all look forward to it. It’s open to all writers and we’ve even been host to several interstate visitors, your fine self included. It’s a fabulous opportunity to read your work aloud, ask for advice and critique, pass on recommendations of writers (both on RB and off) and generally swill an indulgent amount of mulled wine and laugh to the high heavens. / / I love these meetings and have been hosting them for 18 months now. Some are intimate little gatherings of half a dozen scribes; the largest was 21 writers gathered around a huge table in the beer garden with cameras flashing and notebooks filling. So much fun! If you’ve ever been tempted to come along, take a look at the Writers’ Forum in the Melbourne and Victoria group for details, and accounts of previous meetings. Feel free to mail me with any questions, and I’ll make sure that your glass is always full and everyone knows your name. What are you waiting for?! / / / LH: How did you feel meeting a RedBubbler for the first time and who was it? / / B: My first meeting was on the steps of Flinders Street Station almost two years ago. I lingered at Fed Square, watching the red balloons held by Jo O’Brien and trying to decide if I would cross over. I did, and the rest is history. So I actually think Jo was my first ever bubbler, which is fitting considering how much she’s helped lured me out of my shell. I also recall Paul Louis Villani’s beaming grin (and I just realised that was also his first RB meeting). That day introduced me to two of my best friends: Jessica Tremp, who spoke German with me and leapt in the air for photos, and LisaG, who lingered up the back and hid from the cameras with me. In the early days I scowled at everyone who pointed a lens my way, but have since loosened up considerably and even done some RB modelling – amazing for me. / / / LH: Where does Bell’s heart dwell? / / B: With one foot firmly planted on the cobblestones of Brussels, and the other on the bank of the Yarra in Melbourne. I’ve always been torn between these two incredible cities, and I think I’ll always be going back and forth between them, as I’ve done for years. That said, next year I’m moving to Berlin for a stretch, as she has her hooks well and truly in me. And I loooooove the German language. / / / LH: Memories … we all hold them close. What is one of your happiest? / / BM: Every time I step onto the Grote Markt, the stunning medieval market square in Brussels that’s my favourite place in the world, my eyes well with joyful tears. However, I’d have to say that first email from an editor telling me that amongst one thousand submissions, they’d accepted my work for publication in “Going Down Swinging”, will never fade from my memory. There was clutching, there was squealing, and there might have even been a happy dance! Having my writing validated by professional editors is not something I’ll forget; it was the first time I thought hell, maybe I can actually do this. / / / LH: Name two things you could not live without? / / B: The glorious sunlight at dusk, when it falls golden on the bricks and makes my red hair look as though it’s caught fire. When I feel low, I take a walk at this time of night and feel suddenly able to breathe again. Never fails. Second, I’m going to have to say a pen in my bag, behind my ear, between my fingers: I’m always writing, scribbling down overheard conversations and titles for stories. And then there’s the quotes – you’ve seen my little red book of quotes come out at bubble meetings!! I always need a red moleskin and pen nearby, and can’t leave the house without them. Because no matter how much I say “I’m sure I’ll remember that later”, I rarely do without pinning it down in ink. / / / LH: A song that will forever be ‘your song’? / / B: Oh lord, that’s a big ask. I want to speak of the amazing Lunachicks, Supersuckers or Mahalia Jackson, but I’m a blues woman at heart and I have to say that I listen to “Crawling King Snake” by Etta James at least once a day. It’s an intense, dark, and immensely seductive song that holds rich memories for me. / / / LH: What are your plans for the future, professionally and personally? / / B: Professionally, I want to make my name as a writer. I first told my parents at seven that I was going to be “an authoress” when I grew up, hehe, and I’ve been a devoted ink spiller since then. I got my start writing for punk zines, and now with a degree in Linguistics behind me and a novel in progress, as long as I can weave words between my fingertips I’m happy. / / Personally? Well, that’s a little harder to say. I have an illness that I struggle with and though I thought I had it under control, it flared up this year and knocked me back underground for a while. I tend to write of snakes quite often and for me they symbolise both my illness and the potential for regeneration, so when I write of my snakes hissing it’s a general indication that I’m not doing well. My relapse has taught me I can never get cocky about it, so keeping my demons down is a constant aim for me. Also, the resolution was given to me to make this ‘the year of the duck’, namely, let things roll off my back a bit more; I tend to fire up easily. I’m not quite sure how I’m going with that! And I absolutely intend to move to Berlin next year, if only for six months, to get my dose of that beautiful language and sit in Bebelplatz with gingerbread and coffee and pour words out. / Bellmusker, Little Helen and a number of martinis … If you’d like to read more of Little Helen’s interviews, her RedBubble Hottest 100 series isn’t a bad place to start. If you’d like to find out more about the Melbourne Writers’ Meet, visit the Melbourne and Victoria group’s Writers’ Forum for more info.
*_Rubyred (or more correctly Roger) is another member of the collaboration behemoth that is Game of Kings, so when the chance came to int…
Rubyred (or more correctly Roger) is another member of the collaboration behemoth that is Game of Kings, so when the chance came to interview one of my favourite koi covered artists, I jumped at it. Thanks for this Roger, could you start by telling us a little about yourself ? A bit about me, well, I’ve been a graphic designer for over fifteen years. I started out in design working on consumer hobby magazines. For the last ten years I’ve worked for the same company, and we publish trade magazines and organise a number of trade exhibitions. I’m responsible for the design and branding of all the projects. I studied graphic design and illustration on the same course as James (quigonjim), in fact we shared a flat with my girlfriend (now wife) during our final year. I haven’t seen him for a few years but got in contact again through RedBubble! As you hinted at in the question, I have an interest in tattoo design (particularly Japanese) and currently have an arm sized project underway. Most importantly of all though, I’m dad to two beautiful young girls. Which artists influence or inspire you? My background is more graphic design than illustration, so I tend to be inspired by designers. Classic names from the field of graphic design like Neville Brody, David Carson and Ian Swift. To be honest, I’ve never been a follower of fantasy art or the comic book genres, so some of the references that fellow GoK members were mentioning were new to me. It was an interesting journey to see who inspired my fellow members. I appreciate most forms of design and illustration and like to think that I’ve absorbed a lot of influences over the years, especially in the last year with the wide range of talent on shown on RedBubble. You’ve been a member of Redbubble now for over a year, as well as being a host of “A Tshirt Revolution, how did you get involved with Game of Kings? I got to know Simon’s work during the London Calling competition and we built up a rapport during the long ride to Simon’s eventual success. He came a’knocking one day with the idea of a multi artist collaboration. I jumped at the chance to be involved and when I saw who else he had snared, I found myself in the company of some of my most favourite artists on the site – daunting to say the least! What’s been your experience being part of the project to date, and how do think it will be received? Having said I was daunted by the collection of artists around me, I wasn’t too sure what to expect. Simon explained the project and gave his initial vision (since then it has grown into something potentially huge) and divided up the characters from the board. Happy with my two allocated pieces, I attacked my sketchbook with some ideas. One of the best things about this project has been the development of all the pieces. From the very early stages, Simon encouraged everyone to use the WIP (work in progress) forum within the group – initial sketches were posted and comments and advice flowed freely. This process really helped me with my two pieces, and they have taken quite a different direction from my original sketches. Danny jumped on board fairly early on and it was his early thoughts and writing that helped me solidify my characters. We are hoping to display the WIP process in some form, something that I would love to see because I think it is one of the real gems to come from the collaboration and will give a real sense of journey to the project. If everyone gets to see some of the behind the scenes work that is going on I think it will add another really interesting dimension and I hope people will enjoy seeing the process some of the artists have gone through – I’m sure they will, as much as I have being privileged to be able to watch things unfold. How much have you enjoyed creating your characters – have they been fun/interesting/tricky for any reason? As I said earlier, my characters have changed quite significantly from early sketches. I had to step up my game to keep up with the quality of the others in the group, and I’m sure the overall standard of the work produced is a direct result of the support and collaboration of everyone involved. At times I felt a little out of my depth because I haven’t got the background interest in fantasy/comic book genres that some of the other artists have. But that is one of the key elements of this project, Simon selected people who already have their own distinctive style and it’s these differences that would add flavour to the collaboration. The idea of the Black side all coming from Simon and his distinctive style up against an artistic white army made up of conflicting yet complimentary techniques, really works and I think the end results are testament to the initial idea. Is there anything else you’d like to add? I’d like to thank Simon for giving me the chance to be part of this project, and working with the others has been the highlight of my time here on RedBubble. I’d like to think that this project will open the door to other collaborations on the site and if anybody gets the chance to work with a similar group of talented artists, grab it and hold on, you’ll be in for one hell of a ride!
*James Grey or Quigonjim as he Red Bubble profile states has been described by “Game of Kings” creator Simon Sherry as one of the most cr…
James Grey or Quigonjim as he Red Bubble profile states has been described by “Game of Kings” creator Simon Sherry as one of the most criminally neglected artists on Red bubble. Group member Danny says he is the fastest communicator of ideas that he has ever worked with. The speed that he can produce and the quality is just amazing. / Jim as he is best known as in the group has amazed his collaborators with stunning art and quirky images that go beyond his brief. Jim (along with Glen Smith) regularly come up with faux viral marketing ideas that are hilarious as well as effective. Jim is also responsible for the development of the current logo and is a driving force when it comes to keeping the standard high with his enthusiasm and drive and through this has become a respected and popular member. / We recently cornered Jim long enough to find what makes this man tick? Can we have a few words about your good self? Father, husband, illustrator, designer, painter, rocker, reader and motor sport fan! Is that not a enough? I’ll expand on that a tad shall I… First and foremost, I’m married with one, beautiful, five year old daughter, a border collie, an ancient cat, three bonkers rabbits and two goldfish. We live in a village in the Sussex countryside, fifteen minutes walk from the coast, with a stunning view of the River Ouse valley. At school, I decided that a career in the creative world was the path for me. I always enjoyed drawing and painting as a child and I seemed to do well in creative subjects. So in 1990, at Thanet College in Kent, I was lucky enough to be able to take three A-Levels: Graphic Design, Fine Art and Textile & Surface Design. While there I was taught by Mike Trim who worked on various Gerry Anderson projects and painted Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds album cover, and Russ Nicholson who spent his time illustrating the Fighting Fantasy role-play books and contributing to White Dwarf magazine. Those two in particular had a massive influence on me and I have been forever grateful ever since. From there I did a Foundation Course at Kent Institute of Art & Design (KIAD) Canterbury, which lead onto Northbrook College, East Sussex, in 1994,to take an HND in Graphic Design & Illustration and from there into the big wide world. I’ve been a freelance illustrator/comic artist/cartoonist and sometime graphic designer, website designer, portrait painter, nursery mural artist and sign writer for the last fifteen years… Yup, I’m a Jack of all trades really. The thing I fear most is the “white rectangle of doom” and silence. I can’t work without a heavy rock cd blaring out from somewhere in the house, I’m particularly partial to a starter of Progressive Metal with a twist of cheesy ‘80’s AOR spinkled over the top and for dessert a large bowl of Power Metal and a nice cup of Hanz Zimmer to wash it all down with. Sunday’s are my day off, where I’m either feet up beer in hand watching the Superbikes, MotoGP or F1 on the box, or actually at a Superbike meet. Currently I specialise in Superbike and MotoGP art, which I sell a fair few prints of, mainly through my website, www.quigonjim.co.uk and my eBay shop. Clients include: / Aon Insurance, Caravan Magazine, Paramount Care Homes Ltd, AccentUK Comics, Underfire Comics, Quellheart Publishing, Zel Pubs, and A La Mode Entertainment to name a few. And of course many, many private commissions for portraits, caricatures, custom leather jacket paintings, tattoo designs, nursery murals and one off design jobs for logo designs including stationary and headed paper, wedding invitations and brochures and what not. INFLUENCES & INSPIRATIONS: - / Commercially: Drew Struzan, Richard Amsel and Bob Peak (movie poster artists), Roger Dean, Brian Froud, Dave McKean, Cam Kennedy (2000ad), Mike McMahon (2000ad), J. Scott Campbell (Danger Girl), Adam Hughes (Ghost & Cat Woman) and Jim Fitzpatrick to name but a few. / Historically: Alphonse Mucha, Gustav Klimt, Arthur Rackham, Norman Rockwell… the list goes on. / Have I said too much now??? Nope, but I bet a few people are reading this and going “In one lifetime?” / It’s now very obvious the “Game of Kings” is very lucky to have you aboard / So that leads to the question how did you get involved with the project? Well, I’ve been a RedBubbler for a while now and I was aware of all the other artists and designers on board the Game of Kings express and many of us had left each other comments on their creative works on numerous occasions, one of which was Simon Sherry… or Dr. Sherry as I’ve come to call him . / He Bubblemailed me one day, asking whether I would like to hitch a ride on his rollercoaster of wonder and delight. Already being aware of his wonderful Killbots and Fulldeck series’ he did, it was a no brainer to grab that ticket and jump aboard. How do you personally think it is going and do you think it has potential? Oh, wow. This project has masses of potential. I’m stunned into silence every time I check on the other guys work in progress, the quality and quantity of work, idea’s and WIP’s are amazing. And the different styles and techniques being used and abused is a wonderful site to behold. / Dr. Sherry has been lucky enough to get a fantastic team of available artists, illustrators and designers together along with some incredibly well thought out and executed narrative from Danny / If this all goes flat and down the plughole come launch time, I’ll be very, very surprised. I can’t wait to see and read Joe public’s response to The Game of Kings. Do you want to flog some other projects you are involved in? Ooh, why not … Firstly there’s my previous comic art, for AccentUK Comics, most of which has now managed to get onto the Diamond distribution list, meaning it’ll be available worldwide now. These are three anthologies entitled “Zombies” (2007), “Robots” (2008) and “Western” (2009), available from all good comic shops or can be ordered through Diamond or the AccentUK website. Then there is “Rock Night” from Underfire Comics, which was a blast to do. It was, as GOK is, a collaboration of ten comic artists and writers, all thrown in a mixing bowl and baked into a cracking tale about what you would do if tomorrow was going to be the last day of life as we know it. Armageddon to you and me! / Unerfire Comics Lastly, this summer should see the release of my latest book “The Pubs of Hastings and St Leonards: 1800 – 2000” written by David Russell. / Over 100 illustrations have been done for this book and I can’t wait to see it in my sticky mits: ) / Some of the illustrations from the book can be seen on my website or here on Redbubble. / Quigonjim Web site
A quick look through the portfolio of Missy Miss...
A quick look through the portfolio of Missy Miss and you’re instantly confronted with classy, high impact and professional photography. / I love her work and I still drool in awe every time I view her black and white studio images. / Each image looks like it’s been soaked in adhesive gun metal grey liquid that gives a slight hint of polished sheen on the finished product. / For instance… / / / / Anyways… enough with the chitchat and on with the show… :) / 1) How did you find Red Bubble and are you enjoying this online artistic community? / / I was randomly contacting a few photographers to pick up some studio assisting work when one of the guys took a peak at my website (www.missymiss.com.au) and suggested I take a look at Red Bubble as I would find many other kindred spirits there… can’t thank him enough for the tip! I’ve found it a great source of inspiration and a very helpful and kind community to belong to. Great for someone like me just starting out and eager to show anyone and everyone what I’ve been getting up to. I love getting feedback and hearing how others read or view my work! / / 2) Describe yourself and your art… do you “live” your art or is art a separate thing in your life? / / I think my art is a life through the lens and I’ll often do a double take on a place or a face that I think would be great for a shoot and make a note or approach the person in the street/bar/café to ask if they’d like to get involved. / My art is influenced mostly by the movies in my head and a cool soundtrack. Often I will research some conceptual photographers to start with but not always. An idea can come from anywhere! I like to work within a series rather than a single image. I love the challenge they present and the way it makes me think much deeper about what I’m trying to achieve. As a result though… it’s a long time between pics… / / 3) So far, what has been your greatest artistic achievement and where are you headed, what your dreams both personally and artistically? / / Until recently I think my Poker Night series was my biggest achievement. Mainly because I survived it! It was absolute madness and I’d taken on much more than my skill set was ready for… directing eight friends over two shoots plus coordinating everything else that was involved such as props, lighting, make-up, script and roles. At the end of the night on the first shoot, the couple whose house we were using pretty much split up! They got back together by the end of the week and promised to behave for the final shoot. They did but then split up again a week or so later… for good! / I’ve really enjoyed working on the B&W series this year. I’ve decided to fix quite a few more images from these shoots to put together my first photo book through Blurb.com and hope to release this later on in the year. And a 2010 calendar through Red Bubble of course! / / 4) Who has or have been the biggest influence on you as an artist? / / The biggest influence on my photography has been James Penlidis www.jamespenlidis.com who has been my mentor and friend over the last year or so. James is well known amongst Melbourne’s comedy scene and tv/radio celebrities for his outstanding studio and location portraiture. He always gets the shot! / / 5) Name 5 people you would have over for dinner and what you would cook for them? / / David Bailey / David Lachapelle / Duane Michaels / Steven Klein / Steven Meisel / As much as I do like to cook, I think I’d get catering arranged! Who needs the distraction when these great photographic legends are in the room! / / Ok, here are some quick ones… / / What are you? / / Realist or Dreamer = Both – it’s a constant battle! / Dancer or Voyeur = Dancer / Harmonica or Sitar = Sitar / Chatterer or Listener = Listener / Color or B&W = B&W for now… / Books or Mags = Books / / What are your… / / Favorite TV show? Xena Warrior Princess – especially the musical episode! / Favorite Movie? Run Lola Run (love the music, photography and multiple outcomes!) / Favorite Band(s)? Massive Attack, The Kills, Muse / Favorite Song? Butterflies & Hurricanes – Muse / Favorite Place in The World? Melbourne & Parisian cafes / Favorite Saying / Quote? More champagne!
*Jordan Clarke is another member of the Game of Kings collaboration. / Jordan is almost a f…
Jordan Clarke is another member of the Game of Kings collaboration. / Jordan is almost a foundation member of Red Bubble coming aboard in the very early days. Her style of Graphic design is both eye catching and original and was a perfect choice for the myriad of styles that make up the mix that is Game of Kings Thanks for this Jordan, could you start by telling us a little about yourself ? / No worries! Well, I finished studying graphic design back in 2006. It was a great course and I met some amazing people – but by the end I realised that I didn’t really want to be a graphic designer. I’d stared experimenting with graphic illustration in the last few weeks of the course – something just clicked and I knew I’d found my direction. / Now I’m trying to combine traditional techniques with digital – I’m not sure where I fit in yet – but I’m loving the whole process. I’m also working on some new tee designs which I have big plans for. One day I hope I can make a comfortable living out of my artwork! Which artists influence or inspire you? / My two all time favourites are Frida Kahlo and Cindy Sherman. I love Kahlo’s bold, colourful and emotionally raw paintings. Sherman’s self-portrait photos have really cool themes and I love that she does it all herself. / More recently I’ve been really influenced by Shepard Fairey – his work has made me think about my own early work and how I can push it to the next level through screen-prints and stencils. I’m also influenced by Gil Elvgren’s quintessential pin-ups – especially seeing some of the original photos he used to reference. And of course I’m hugely influenced and inspired by tattoo art and digital collage (which is evident in my portfolio!). How did you get involved with Game of Kings? / Simon got in contact and told me about his idea. I’ve never been involved in any collaboration so I was keen initially for that reason. But when I understood the scope and possibility of Simon’s idea I was even more excited about joining the fun. I was totally surprised to be asked – especially when I saw who the other artists were. I knew I’d have to really bring it to the table and put in my best work, which was exciting. What’s been your experience being part of the project to date, and how do think it will be received? / I’ve been really surprised at the sense of camaraderie between all the artists, helping each other as we’ve developed our work. It’s set a high benchmark for future collaborations! The development has flowed really easily and the quality of work is phenomenal. I’m confident that people will receive it really well – we’re keeping our releases small so it’s easier for everyone to take it all in! How much have you enjoyed creating your characters – have they been fun/interesting/tricky for any reason? / It’s been quite challenging for me to execute the creation of my characters. The idea is the easy part! I’ve really enjoyed researching mythological creatures and seeing how I can work them into the character piece. I can get a bit carried away with the concept – to the point where I’m not sure if I can live up to the image in my head! / This collaboration has definitely helped me develop my artistic skills – trying new techniques and taking more risks. It’s easy to get stuck in your comfort zone, so I’m grateful for the challenge. Is there anything else you’d like to add? / I have to thank Simon and his genius for this awesome idea and for inviting me to participate. Huge thanks also to the team for all the advice, critique and encouragement – you made it a wicked experience. I can’t wait to see the GOK characters on the streets soon! (Oh, and we’ll be back my friends. This is only the beginning…)
*Known to most Bubblers as nofrillsart, Glenn Smith is a vital addition to the Game of King…
Known to most Bubblers as nofrillsart, Glenn Smith is a vital addition to the Game of Kings team, not only bringing his unique style to the project, but also a great deal of input into the promotional side of it as well. Can we have a few words about your good self? I have been making art professionally for the last ten years or so. In recent years I have also crossed over into the realms of being an arts worker running a lot of exhibitions and festivals. For bread and butter I work as a high school teacher. In terms of my approach to art, I often have dilemmas about what direction art should take whether it should be originals hanging on the walls of exclusive galleries or at ground level such as street art or t-shirt design. I am yet to reconcile this within myself, so in the mean time I attempt to do both. So how did you get involved with the Game of Kings project? The talented Mr.Sherry gave me a personal invitation to take part. This was a honor from the start. I have some decent skills at doing what I do within say my t-shirts designs here on RB, but this project has proven to be a real challenge for me, due to being well outside my comfort zone and in some very intimidating company, such as the talented bunch of artists that are the Game of Kings. Thought that being said, you could not find a more supportive group of artists. How do you personally think it is going and do you think it has potential? I think the project is going great. The GOK has grown in scope considerably since it was first mentioned, with writers and YouTube videos…but that has just added to how special this all is. If the general public had a peek inside the workings of this project in the private forum you would see how huge the planning, ideas sharing and feedback on it has been. So far so good in my opinion. As all the public support and feedback has been very positive. And besides, how could we go wrong with Simon creating half of the works to an outstanding level of quality and style! Do you want to flog some other projects you are involved in? No! hehe…Currently I feel a little drained and have a great desire to quit making art and find a nice deserted island. But give it a week or two and I’m sure I will be back having a whole bunch of new ideas. Honestly, I have a few books for sale at Sticky in Melbourne, a few longer term projects for festivals and workshops due to eventuate before the end of the year still being kicked around(Well i thought they were long term!)...and apart from that I need to get some ideas, time and energy to concentrate on make some art just for me. BREAKING INFORMATION…....... Glen was born into a pirate family where he had a strict upbringing and had an education based around the three Ahrrrs: ‘rson, rape and runnin’ amok. / Much to his family’s dismay Glen was a sensitive child and faired poorly in his pirate studies where he drifted out of Pillage school and settled in a career as a street vandal. / This at least gave his parents some hope for his future because it had a touch of disgrace attached to it and it was also an Ahrrr related study. / All this come to a disastrous end when Glen was kidnapped by circus folk and transported to the Melbourne colony of Geelong. / Believed for many years to be working as a clown with the local council, Glen was discovered by a touring music pirate band who recognized his scribblings on an alley wall whilst plundering an ipod. / News filtered back to Glens family who showed no interest at all and as far as anyone knows, Glen actually does work as a clown for the Greater Geelong City council where he occasionally defaces public art in the name of mischief. / The moniker NoFrillsArt refers to the fact that Glen’s art has no frilly bits around the edges like most art in Geelong. Reference – Who’s who of Anyone in the known universe (Geelong Edition 2005)
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/ / / The Happy Project collaboration with Stefan Sagmeister has been rocking along and we’ve been impressed by the fantastic portraits are being entered. Some of our artists were ridiculously excited about the chance to collaborate with one of the world’s most creative and inspiring designers, so we gave them the opportunity to quiz Stefan on the Happy project and his own attitude to happiness. / Natalie Perkins: Do you consider yourself a designer even when you’re not being paid to solve problems, and if so, how can you separate that from being an “artist” who solves personal/cultural problems? Stefan: Yes, I consider myself a designer at all times, no matter in what kind of project I’m involved in. I went to design school, run a design office and publish most of our pieces in places and media associated with design. My favorite quote about the difference between art and design comes from Donald Judd, who says that “design has to work, art does not.” So the difference is one of functionality, if I design a chair and push it so hard until I can’t sit on it anymore, it ceases to be a chair and becomes a sculpture. And then I can look at it and see if it’s a good sculpture. Soxy Fleming: When you asked for these self portraits did you consider that the act of making them would alter the artists rating of themselves? Stefan: This is a wonderful question and a good point. No I did not consider this but absolutely should have! Ayarti: While the act of designing is something that makes me very happy, I think some of my best work has been done in times of sadness. How important a role have your feelings played in the production of quality work? Stefan: I myself, when I am down, am normally not good at any work, including design work. The very, very few times in my life when I experienced something like depression, I really was no good to nobody, including myself. I was sad in the beginning of this year about the breakup of a very long relationship, and I consequently worked my ass off, but this was less a function of the sadness itself and more one of my regular coping mechanisms. sjem: Has architecture (or any man made environment) ever played an important role in your own happiness? Stefan: Yes. Peter Zumthor’s Spa in Vals, Switzerland elevated my mood into A levels, Saarinnen’s Arch in St. Louis captured me completely, I now watch the sun rise every morning over the New York skyline from my roof on 14th Street which turns out to be a exhilarating way to start the day. I also remember being a little high after a small water plane trip starting from Rose Bay over Sydney. Of course nature plays a role in all these example (the spa would be much weaker if it would not be overlooking a particular rough parts of the Alps, etc), but not one of the examples would have touched me if it would have been for the man made part. Paul McClintock: Do you intend for the film to make people happy? Stefan: That would be the ultimate goal. But I am very, very aware how difficult this will be to achieve. Brettus: I once heard you talk about how important making lists has been in your life. Do you think your lists have helped in bringing you happiness, and what’s the best list you’ve ever made? Stefan: The best list I’ve ever made was likely the “Things I have learned in my Life” list, not only did it create clarity for myself but it allowed us to create all sorts of projects from it. But I’ve recently met up with Tony Buzan, the inventor of the Mindmaps, and have to agree with him that they are, because they work so much more naturally, in sync with our brain, superior to lists in almost all cases. / / / / / There are 12 days left to get your entries in for the Happy Challenge. Stefan will be selecting self portraits from the challenge for inclusion in his up and coming film so please make sure you use the template when preparing your artworks. Good luck! / / If you’re on Twitter, please feel free to share this interview.
Larry Graham was…
Larry Graham was kind enough to interview me. ..he is my cohost at All Around Florida and he is an amazing documentary photographer with a great portfolio, quite diverse from all over the United States. His photos concerning fires and firemen are beautifully recorded, a subject, not easy to express . and His nature shots of our beautiful Florida are a real treat to the eyes. / Thank you kindly, Larry Q. Isa your home base is Ft. Meyers; do you get a chance to travel around the rest of the Sunshine State? Let me give you a bit of background first : / it has not been too long that I have been living in Florida, and it has not been long that I have been taking pictures with a digital camera. in fact it was not until 2007, that I did get my first digital.. but then , I got hooked . I am a lover of travel, indeed.. Larry. ..in fact most of my portfolio is of pictures taken while on the road. The last two years I have done much less traveling than I did in the past. But I am also a huge fan of finding objects n the home and around my yard and on the streets and roads when I take a walk . I am a big fan of finding the everyday things of my daily routine. Gasoline prices and airline struggles have made me more so . I love Florida for its diversity within a small area. It is funny, but when I travel , I mostly am visiting family, and do not take the camera with me to respect the time sort of speaking:) although my family rolls their eyes at me . when I DO decide to take that camera with me . now , that being said. :) I have this philosophy in life.. you can travel all you want, but it is home where your greatest joys should come from .. and I could probably spend a few years simply taking shots of the unending life in my neighborhood alone.. I am quite versatile in what I take pictures of .. so a statue, or the bend in the road, or the power lines or the clotheslines or the ice cream truck or the gardens, or the children playing are amazing fun to me :) Q. In addition to your children and grandchildren what are you other favorite subjects to photograph? OH dear.. i have been accused of loving too many things to photograph.. but !. I couldnt find a subject I love more than my family :) okay subjects; .. Architecture and URBAN is a huge love for me . being raised in a big wonderful diverse city of the BIG APPLE ..i now have about 600 photos of Philadelphia which I have yet to share from .. and there I took pictures of sneakers lost on the power lines:) CANDID STREET SHOTS is another deep love of mine ..this shot here.. is an example of what some has deemed me and dubbed me as “the sneaky photog”.. it is called runaway bride.. and it is one on my personal favorites . This one here was taken as I was sitting across the row from him while on a train to Philadelphia. again “the sneaky shooter” The Flowers and Trees is another area I delve into . here is one from my yard and this one is one that has an added texture , another subject I want to learn more about / and oh how I love Birds / Natural Abstract gives me a sense of the beauty in light and shadow alone Statues and Cemeteries and MONUMENTS , another area of interest. and one of my favorite is ordinary mundane objects ..and of course my beloved cows / and it doesnt hurt to have some humor ..so < i find elephants in clouds and smiles in the trees Q. If you were to name one place in Florida as your favorite spot for photography where would that be? And why? Absolutely it would be hands down Miami for its urban excitement and flavor , diversity in its people and its flair for color here is one of my very own faves from Miami. a place where every corner is a treasure unfolding in front of my eyes / Q. How would you describe your style of photography? To describe me is tough I believe, but I do have one thing that I love, I am a huge fan of my photos coming up looking like paintings rather than follow the rule of thirds. I dont look for anything deep or wide. I look for a flat up and down look . my photos are usually centered making them look like they are hung on a wall of life sort of.. and that is how I describe my art. I never hold or carry around a tripod, and I couldnt care less about f stops and depth and exposure. . lol why?.. because I am a walker first, and a photog after.. i am never encumbered by details and dont have a need to learn those things in my later years.. strange , maybe, but true.. I enjoy what I am doing so much .. maybe when I am 95 I will be more interested. Q. What other artists do you draw inspiration from? I have to stop here for just a moment , to explain something I believe is the difference in seeing something beautiful , and something special . Although I believe there are millions of great, really great photographers, i do believe that there is a difference n simply doing something that is pretty, and something that is special .. a huge difference. it is probably why sunsets and flowers simply all by themselves are not something that stop me in my tracks .. to take that flower and add a sense of why you took that shot . well, thats great photography.. Ansel Adams!. and John Muir.. lol.how I wish :).. I see Florida as much much more interesting in black and white.. and it is an area I would enjoy if I had the fancier equipment and I had means with which to travel . But as I am content with myself and my state in life , I will accept what I have graciously now on the Red Bubble, there are a few here whom I really enjoy .. Doreen is my spiritual and photography twin we see eye to eye on every aspect of life Jean Lafftau magic in the camera eyes to take the soul of a person and keep the light perfect, all in black and white Rosalie Scanlon is one person who I admire greatly for her ability to take a shot of the ordinary every day and make it something special . no fancy lighting or things of that sort.. I admire that greatly OLDRUZ I must stop here and say. i found one photographer that I am utterly amazed at and want to emulate, and the reason being is the photography he does , sort of reminds me of me. i hope he doesnt mind my saying so.. I just discovered him not long ago.. and wil be enjoying his photos very much others that I gawk at Shoiab . works my heartstrings with his poetic images I could look at a slideshow all day with the nature and landscapes of Rodeorose / / Adrian Donahue master of tone and intrigue Lorena Maria Lore has a flavor so strong and delightful, moving, loving portraits and street scenes Elizabeth Bravo my cohost in “Post Cards” has a magical way of displaying light with emotion in the shadows in a city or home or wherever she goes Pmistric has humor integrated into a most wonderful unique vision work Lois Bryan and her landscapes .. wow Tatum Wolfe has a sense of humanity in her amazing street candids micmac tells a story simply by placing up her amazing photos here on the bubble Helen Bascom completes her artistry with social awareness par unmatched on the RB the list is quite long.. Q. Your gallery contains many projects that are beyond the scope of “All Around Florida”, tell us about some of these artworks? When I first started shooting my main objective was to document. I am a huge fan of history and memories. and I joined flickr as an outlet to simply share.. it is there that I fell in love with a diversity of mediums with which I could have fun with :) always having an artistic flair about me .. I delved into some fractals and some collages...this one is one in which my love for natural design and collages are fused in one / / . I became known as the collage queen .. and couldnt get enough of that under my hat. . it was a great way to show 20 works in one:). but there are many areas which I had yet to want to delve into . and my love for Abstract has always been with me since i was a child .. so!!)))) .. my favorite abstracts are faces :).. / here is one of the faces that I worked on , not too long ago : Q. You host several groups on RedBubble how does this enhance your community experience? May I just let these groups tell the story , and you tell me if they make a difference. Thats a hard question, Larry. I do hope even in a small way I might help promote beautiful amazing people along the journey . all around Florida / 50 things / All Street Portraiture / At The Store / Exceptional Ekphrasis / First Things / Live Love dream / Postcard Style / Puerto Rico Photography
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