A collection of doodles with a bit of commentary by RICK GREEN - your cartooning friend

Thursday, November 20, 2008

With Apologies to Aesop

I went to the bank the other day and the teller had an assortment of toy turtles sitting around on the counter. I asked her the same question that probably a thousand other customers asked her... "So, you like turtles?" The apparent answer was "yes." She even had one that when you pushed it's tail down, it lites up. Like a lot of people I know.

(Some how that last line sounded a bit salacious.)

I thought, "I should doodle her a turtle." So that got me started. The story of the Tortoise and the Hare came to mind. One thing lead to another, and this is what I came up with.

With apologies to Aesop, my version of the story is not that the Tortoise wins because the Hare was lazy, but because he, the Tortoise, "upgraded!"

It's been a while since I've done some doodling like this just for fun. Most of my earliest post were examples of some of pieces that I created mostly for that reason. I've tried to sell copies—with not much success.

Even though I have a ton of Christmas gifts to get out (one on my drawing table at the moment) I just had to get this one out of my system.

What do you think?

Sorry, but this is NOT a copy and share doodle. But, if you'd like a signed colored copy, very reasonable priced, you can contact me through the e-mail address to the right.

P.S. For my kind readers that enjoy... um... reading... the rest of the bank teller story is that I went back today and told her that she had inspired me to draw a turtle (a.k.a. tortoise). She said, "Really, I use to do some drawing too." I told her that I would give her a copy of my drawing (which she had not seen yet) if she drew something for me.

"Alright, but I can't promise that it will be any good." I told her that I couldn't promise the same.

Then I went next door to the pharmacy, where I get all my copes made. I showed it off to the ladies there, and then I took the copy back to the bank and gave it, signed, to the teller. She seemed impressed. Then said something about the possibility of hers not looking so good. I said that I didn't care, but she owed me! The whole point is to try and get her back to doodling.

Now that I've got that one out of my system I can get back to the "ho, ho, oh."

26 comments:

Erika Jean said...

cute tortoise!!

Chris H said...

I hope we get to see her doodle too! Now I'm intrigued enough to want to see it! Eggy is just too easy to find.. you need to get more ... shifty about where you put him me thinks! Half me day is spent wondering and thinking where he will be in the next doodle! Ok, maybe not half the day.... us nuts don't think THAT much! later mate.

Us3JKJ said...

OMG, I love, love LOVE this one! Now you've got me thinking about my daughter's room and what i could get for you to do in there! Hmmmm.... she's a little young for a characature (sp?) but I do not want to leave her out of the fun. Her b-day is in May so it will give you some time off from my other projects! LOL I love this one, this is adorable.

Unknown said...

Love the turtle!

That was nice of your to give her a copy. Like a random act of kindness thing.

Patti said...

upgraded turtle - love it!

Christy said...

I love it, and I can't wait to see what she draws!!! How fun to get inspiration like that.

Shannon said...

What a neat idea! My hubby always says, "Don't work harder, think smarter." Guess your tortoise figured that one out too.

kathy hare said...

Hello Rick,

Thankyou so much for all your kind comments on my blog. All of your work is amazing but of course I especially like this tortoise and hare illustration.. though I must say that I do resent a story where a fellow hare is outwitted and beaten by a fast thinking yet slow moving reptile!!

strangely enough I actually have a pet tortoise that lives in my garden! ( but I win all of our races!) :)

Christine Mercer-Vernon said...

great drawing and great post! that is one smart turtle, it's about time he caught up with technology. thanks for visiting my blog rick!

Gaspegirl said...

Great doodle (again) and an awesome story! I love to PIF... makes a person feel good!

Make it a great day

Anonymous said...

Cute turtle and lovely story. I think there is a artist hidden in each and everyone of us and it is nice to see that artist emerge with just a little bit of the right coaxing!

Let me know when you post the bank teller's doodle. Love to see that as well.

Brenda said...

CUTE! You are inspiring new artists on the side. Cool

Laura ~Peach~ said...

i think that is fantastically funny I love it and hang in there eggy maybe he will take you for a ride next time!

Tonjia said...

awesome! I was hoping you would give her a copy of your doodle, I love the look on the turtles face..

Vickie said...

Thanks for visiting my daughter's blog. She is crazy about animals. All kinds.

I am going to email you to see about pricing.

Harbor Hon said...

I love looking for Eggy, gives me time to really check out your fine use of color and lines to make your doodles. Sorta like the 'Where's Waldo' of signatures. :) Thanks for sharing the great story too. xxoo

Reddirt Woman said...

I love random acts of kindness. You probably made her day. You are a kind man and I like how you share your talent.

Helen

Fire Hunt said...

Cute turtle and lovely story and I can't wait to see what she draws.

Harbor Hon said...

Hi Rick!
Thanks for visiting. Yeah, it's never been about the hair for me. Always been the eyes and eyebrows. If they captivate me, why do I need to look anywhere else? And looking someone in the eyes has always been a plus for me. After all, the eyes ARE the window to the soul. xxoo

Barbaloot said...

Wow-that's impressive. I wish I could draw...but my stick figures never seem to look quite right:)
And I bet Aesop would have given the turtle technological advances if he could have imagined them.

Karen Deborah said...

I love that doodle!

Nikki said...

Thanks for dropping by my blog! I've got leftovers, if you want them. I love the picture of the tortoise, too.

Tabitha Blue said...

Great work!! I so would love to have a talent like that! Stick figures are as far as I go :)

Susan Rudat said...

Rick, this is wonderful! And the bank teller story cracked me up. Glad you got this out of your system and into the wide world web. Cheers!

Live.Love.Eat said...

Hey there Rick. Than you for the blogby! No turkeys this year as I am not hosting. But if I was, a nice brining would be in order!!! That pic is outstanding, you are SO talented!!!! It's nice that you were looking to inspire someone else.

Albert said...

Happy Thanksgiving Rick! Wow, you really kicked it up a notch with this one... could be a page right out of a childrens' book. Way to go, sir!