Showing posts with label photos. Show all posts
Showing posts with label photos. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 14, 2025

Art of JZ Murdock: Unlocking Beauty in Greeting Cards & More, More, More...

Welcome to my world of creativity!

I’m very excited to share that my artwork is now available as beautiful greeting cards and other unique products on platforms like Zazzle and Redbubble.

Original Photo, Frank Ruman, 1914, my grandfather

My initial reason for starting a media catalog on Redbubble was about my film posters and books. My reason for starting a store on Zazzle was about my grandfather's photos of early racing cars he had been a mechanic on. He died in 1974. 

When my mother died a few years ago, I received some of her old photo albums. Some included her dad's old photos and negatives. I was fascinated by his photos of old racing cars from the 1910s in Brooklyn, New York. 

Photo as a greeting card on Zazzle

So I looked for the best venue for greeting cards as I thought they might be most accessible to the public. Redbubble was lacking in that but Zazzle, though the platform is not as well thought out as I'd like (in making it easy to use I think they made problems for creators), it does work out better than Redbubble.

When I first bought my Cannon 80D camera in 2016, I had to learn to use the camera in order to shoot my own films. Which I wanted to do toward turning my writings into independent films. I've now done that with films like "The Rapping", shot with my oldest adult child. "Gumdrop", a short horror, my first narrative film with a cast of actors. I also used pieces of "The Rapping" in that film. This film is a prequel to my previous true crime fictionalized story, "Gumdrop City". 

My most successful project to date is a "filmic poem" and historical WWI documentary, "Pvt. Ravel's Bolero" (a film I shot to help me recover from long covid). The "Bolero" film, based on "Bolero" composer, Maruice Ravel's experiences in WWI, exceeded my greatest expectations at now over 60 national and international film awards.

From my screenplay

First I had to learn my camera. As I looked for things to shoot, I discovered that my new city of Bremerton, Washington, had amazing sunsets and photo opportunities. After fifteen years of raising my kids while living on some idyllic acreage in the forest behind Suquamish, Washington (where Chief "Seattle" is buried), on the waters of Puget Sound, I moved to Bremerton, a Navy town. 

I thought shooting still photos was a good beginning so I spent months shooting pictures. I saved them all thinking that one day perhaps, they could be useful. I was pleasantly surprised recently when I reviewed all those photos to find some were very professional. My youngest child, now in their early 30s, is a photographer and was an intern to several professional photographers (one who shot the first world-famous "Marlboro Man" photos). 

Whether you're looking for the perfect card to express your feelings or a one-of-a-kind item to brighten your day, there's something special waiting for you. I've been on Redbubble for a while. I found Zazzle has far better capabilities for creating greeting cards. I may create other products on there over time, but for now, it's mostly greeting cards. And some very interesting ones.

My cover artist for my books and other things, Marvin Hayes has been there for a very long time now. He is the greatest artist I have ever even met. While my covers are very interesting, his own art is far beyond those.

Warren Avenue Bridge to East Bremerton with an legal from my backyard

Why Choose My Art?

  1. Original Designs: Each piece reflects my passion for art, bringing unique and heartfelt creations directly to you.

  2. Versatility: My designs aren't just limited to greeting cards. Explore them on a range of products, from home decor to accessories.

  3. Quality: Both Zazzle and Redbubble ensure high-quality prints and materials, so your chosen items look stunning and last.

Seagull over Silverdale, WA headed to the Olympic Mountains

Greeting Cards for Every Occasion

Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, sending holiday cheer, or simply saying "thank you," my collection has the perfect card for every occasion. Choose from vibrant illustrations, serene landscapes, or whimsical designs to match the mood you want to convey.

What I like about Zazzle is, when you purchase one of my cards, you can edit it to add your own message inside, or delete my area for your heading and message and simply writing in my hand what you wish to say.

Taken from my home front window

Beyond Greeting Cards: Explore the Possibilities

  • On Redbubble: Discover my art as movie posters, on tote bags, t-shirts, stickers, mugs, and more. These items make fantastic gifts or can be a fun way to treat yourself.

  • On Zazzle: Customize my designs on calendars, planners, or even invitations to make your special moments unforgettable.

How to Support My Art

  1. Visit My Zazzle Store collections.

  2. Explore My Redbubble Collection

  3. Share With Friends: Spread the word by sharing my work on social media or recommending it to others who love art.

Stay Connected

Follow me on social media for updates on new designs, special promotions, and a behind-the-scenes look at my creative process.

Thank you for supporting independent artists. 

Every purchase not only brings joy to you and your loved ones but also fuels my passion to create more. Let’s celebrate the beauty of art together!

Bremerton Sunset


Compiled with the aid of ChatGPT

Friday, July 5, 2024

Walkabout Thoughts #97a

Nope, didn't walk yesterday. As I'd said, I tried strength training for a day. Today, fireworks haze in the region, woke to air quality of unhealthy, just over 100. Sinus headache, kind of unpleasant, going to avoid working out/walking today.

In the meantime... 

I hadn't thought about sharing this until just now but I have a Flickr account for some time now. I have some very cool photos along with a bunch of photos from my writings and films. Shots of odds and ends, planes, and birds like the eagles in my backyard. Shots taken with my Canon EOS Canon 80D DSLR which I've also used for filmmaking.


I live on a peninsula here in Bremerton and although I'm minutes from downtown, it's in many ways like living in the countryside, in a neighborhood. Or photos of the Warren Avenue Bridge at night out my picture window at my former abode a mile from here. Or a very cool shot of a seagull or seagulls, frozen in the sky. 

Anyway, some are pretty awesome, even if I say so myself.

I will add this in from something someone posted on FB today and sparked a memory.


Synchronicity? I just saw this meme (above)...and remembered a tale from tech school:

When I was in at Chanute AFB, USAF Tech school for parachute rigger, I walked into class one day. Everyone was seated at one of our many long packing tables. 

I set down my paperback of Alice in Wonderland. My class of about 9 guys and 2 women looked at the book, then at me and some of the guys started razzing me about reading a "children's book". 

I started to react against their contentions when suddenly our instructor, a Sgt standing on the other side of the table from the seated class, pretty much tore them apart and gave a brief rundown of the book that stunned everyone, including myself. I just hadn't expected that from him. He didn't seem the type to be that knowledgeable on subjects like that book, but then, HE was training US. 

I sat down and from then on received a bit more gravitas from my class.

I know, ironic that they expected less of me, and I was expecting less of our Sgt./trainer. And yes, I definitely gave him more respect after that. Below the table we were seated at with different Sgt/Trainer in light blue shirt.

On that note, I’ll bid you adieu...and leave you with that.
It’s nowhere near noon time and lunch.

Cheers! Sláinte!