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

Sunday, December 21, 2008

North to Alaska

Kris, a real live Alaskan SAHM, wrote me and said, "The dilemma I face each and every year is that my husband's birthday is on Christmas Day. As you can imagine it is always overshadowed by the holiday celebrations. I try to have a separate party and attempt to come up with a unique gift that isn't muddled in with the Christmas gifts. I think a gift of one of your drawings may be the perfect answer this year. I think you do high quality work and I know he will treasure it for a long time."

Do you read all that? "Perfect" "High quality work!" "Treasure!" Thanks for the complements Kris, But they weren't necessary. You had me at "hello."

Some of the unique things about her husband, Adam, is that he built his own cabin out off trees from their own property—with a chainsaw no less! Who is this guy? Jeremiah Johnson? (I love that movie.) Also, he really loves his Jeep Scrambler, and is proud of his Polish heritage.


This was another fun illustra- tion. But there are two mistakes that I made, maybe not obvious at first...

1) I left the windows off the cabin. Kris was okay with that, but thought that he would notice right away.

Also, 2) I was looking at this the other day and realized that the flag, chimney smoke, and chainsaw exhaust should be blowing in the same direction. They are not. Oh well, some things like that get by an artist when he's under pressure.

Happy birthday and merry Christmas Adam. And thank you Kris for your kind words. I look forward to hearing about the party.

And now, for those of you who enjoy reading about the mundane life of a doodler... My wife heard that yesterday was the last day that the Post Office would guarantee delivery before Christmas. I'm telling you, I've been doodling my precious fingers to the bone! I had two illustrations to finish down at the wire. Talk about pressure! I was up to 1 am in the night working on them. Then I got up early Saturday and finished my last one around 11 am. I thought the Post Office closed at noon, but it turned out that they were open until 2 PM.

I have one more local doodle to doodle, but that doesn't require the cooperation of the postal service.

Sadly, though, I couldn't get an address for one of those last two doodles. Lately, I've been mailing these drawing even before receiving payment. (So far no one has defaulted on me—knock on computer screen) I'm waiting to hear from the doodle requestee to see what our options are. Hopefully we can work something out.

There are a couple of other requests that I have on my list. Actually, they have the same first name (no last name), and for the life of me I can't remember if they're from the same person or not. One of the request required more photos that I never received. So if you're that person, or those persons, I'm sorry that we couldn't get it worked out, but I'll still be happy to put a caricature together for you for any other special occassion.

In other news: We're flying to Oklahoma for Christmas for Christmas. (That is, unless you're a robber that is reading this. Then in your case we'll be home all day, everyday.) The whole family will be together for a holiday celebration. I can't wait to see my girls.

I plan to take my drawing pad on the plane to get some prime doodling time in.

When I get back I'll be starting off my second Great Big Humongous Annual Giveaway!!!!

My plan is to give away a number of copies of some of my work art. (I haven't decided how many yet) and THEN, I will be giving away one chance to have a free caricature drawn for one winner by me. (This will be a doodle of a single individual—no group request.) I'll even pay for packaging and shipping.

What's the catch? None! It's just my way of saying thanks to all you crazy people out there that take the time to stop by my little corner of the WWW.

All you will have to do is make a comment on the Giveaway post and you will be entered into the drawing. That's it!! No placing a link on your blog back to mine. No handing over the deed to your house, or your first born child. Nothing like that! I just want to celebrate.

Of course, I would appreciate you telling your friends about my giveaway. That, I'm sure you realize, will decrease your odds of winning, But hey!, consider it payback for all those free doodles I've been giving to you! Remember that? Ummm? So be sure to tell your friends and family members about my little celebration.

Also! I will be revealing a special doodle that I really enjoyed working on between all the caricatures that I've been doing. In fact, I will be offering copies up for sale. I think you egg-heads are really going to want to purchase a copy. They're priced cheap too!!

Whew! That was a long post. How did you ever get through it?

Merry Christmas! Now go do something productive.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

I know you'll have a great time with your beautiful daughters. They are so blessed to have a Father like you! You'll have to clue me in on the egg head talk, I'm in the dark.

A great doodle, I love the jeep!

Anonymous said...

I would love to see your talents used to doodle me, hehe. There would be limits of course as to the way you would capture me...no sticks!!!!

You are extremly talented and I'm so excited that you are sharing with your faithful followers. It will be fun to see who gets to share the fun with you.

I'll have to post a status telling everyone to check your post out :)

Mrs4444 said...

I look forward to the giveaway post as much as any other of yours :) Enjoy your holiday. (What's your garage code again??)

Rick said...

To Living Sacrifice: It's been a while since I gave an "egg-planation"...

Look for a tiny egg-man hidden in each illustration—unless I some how forget to put him in. Then I really hear about it.

But, you're looking for basically a tiny circle with arms and legs.

Sometimes he's hidden very well. Sometimes not so much.

I"ll give you a clue on this, so if you don't want a hint don't read further...

Eggy needs to give up smoking in this doodle.

I generally don't tell people about him presence. I like to just let people find out about him.

Have fun on your egg hunt.

Reddirt Woman said...

You already know what a fan I am of not only your doodles, but your stories and the fact that your wife knows how to fry okra! How long are you going to be home on the range? I've already gotten the "Doodle Of The Year", but I sure wouldn't mind having another one.

Helen

Dot O said...

I enjoy trying to find that little egg man in your drawings. Looking forward to see what your Christmas adventures inspire you to doodle!

Have a Merry, Merry Christmas!!

Anonymous said...

That's cool. Thanks for the hint, I found him. Does he have a particular meaning?

Rick said...

To Living Sacrifice: Meaning? Yes. I mean to drive people nutty trying to find him. Also, I've discovered that it is a great way to get people to keep coming back to your blog. That's about it—fairly meaningless.

Angela said...

Blessings to you and your family this Christmas season. ((hugs)) Are we allowed to leave a million comments, so that you will than have to write our names out a million times when you do the draw??? lol. Can you tell I'm excited about this?

Rick said...

To Angela: You people, always trying to work the angles. The answer is no. One entry per person. Check out my post from January 1 of this year to get an idea about what's in store.

Anonymous said...

Have a fantastic time with your daughters Rick,I'm looking forward to your giveaway - not that I'll win as I rarely win anything but the anticipation is so exciting.

And I'm going to get out some photos for my next request from you over the holidays.

Chris H said...

I didn't even notice the different wind directions! Eggy is suffocating!!! How cruet! I hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Christy said...

I'd rather read your posts than do something productive. :)
I am definitely going to enter your drawing, even though I don't think I have ever won anything in my life.

I love this doodle. Something about the colors that is really, really appealing. I can't put my finger on it. I never would have noticed the windows or the smoke if you hadn't pointed them out.

Have a wonderful Christmas... in Oklahoma.. I mean at home. :)

Laura ~Peach~ said...

one of the down to the wire ones is MINE and I showed cory the picture of it he LOVES it and says his dad will love it too!
have a safe tripp and fun time in Oklahoma for the holidays.
Merry Christmas ... of course I will be emailing you photos Christmas day when MIke gets to see himself :D
HUGS Laura

Adventure girl said...

I like your work. What a fun craft to be gifted at. I cannot draw at all. I am going to write a children's book soon, I wish I could Illustrate it as well;) Merry Christmas!

Brenda said...

Have yourself a Merry little Christmas!

Kim VanDerHoek said...

Your blog give away sounds very exciting! I'm looking forward to entering. Now back to work (sound of whip cracking)!

Karen Deborah said...

How cool that Kris decided to use your services! Have you seen the incredible photos on her blog of where they live? Yeah he's Jeremiah Johnson alright, only better this guy uses power tools! If you draw another one for her put her in it with a big incredible cake, she can COOK! Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

Fabulous as always!

Have a great time with your family!

I am NO GOOD at finding eggie. No good at all!

Have a Very Merry Christmas Rick!

Dawn said...

Where in OK did you visit? I live in OK. Not that that matters or you would have known me or I you... just curious! LOL!