The Grand Prize Is Right Here

On that faithful night, right back on January 4th, of ,09, a name was drawn right out of a rather larger Tupperware bowl. "What name was that?" you rightly ask. CHUCK! And suddenly, right on that spot, one man's life was forever changed. A mere pluck of a scrap of paper from a plastic bowl did all that. It is amazing how fate works.

Chuck is this year's recipient of the grand prize from my yearly Great Big Humongous Giveaway. Chuck is a nurse (God bless him), a University of Michigan fan (God help him), and the author of the blog: Chuck Thinks Right (God bless him more). From what I observed on his blog I think "right" means his political perspective and not necessarily the side of the brain that he uses - although both statements may be equally correct. Right?

After a few e-mail ex- changes, I offered to create a header for his right thinking, right brain, space on the web—something patriotic I thought would fit well. Chuck rightly agreed, and so I went right to it.

Chuck thought his doodle was righteous. (Well, he didn't exactly use those words, but that fits with the running gag that I have going here.)

Right away Chuck put up his caricature on his blog and gave me, what he called, a subtle plug. Actually, he went right over the top. (Do I seem to be over doing this to you? Maybe so.)

Anyway, thank you Chuck for participating in my giveaway. It was my privilege to create this little doodle for you. I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of it. Right on dude!!

And why don't the rest of you hop on over to his blog and take a peek at his header in use. After all, it's only the right thing to do.

Drum Roll Please!

DUDRDRDRDRDR....

It's been a fun Great Big Humongous Giveaway. I passed my minimal goal of at least 200 post. I got a lot of help from some of you who were kind enough to post a link about the Giveaway. Thank you very much.

A special thanks to Dawn Meehan whose (nearly late) last minute post grab the attention of a number of her readers. Thanks Dawn.

By far, the biggest thanks goes to my own busy little fingers which did a ton of blog surfing to invite a plethora of bloggers on the web to come and check things out. Thank you fingers. I hope that I wasn't too hard on you.

I was happy to sell some copies of Doodle- normous. For a mere $10 (Plus $3 S&H - $5 outside the U.S.) I can make all your doodle dreams come true. Here's a sneak peak of what you will see...

Just e-mail me at green_rick@juno.com and I'll be happy to get one in your grubby hands. (That wasn't nice, was it?)

NOW, for the news you've been waiting for...

Last night my daughter helped me pick the names of the winners.

(One of you kind bloggers suggested that I use one of those automatic number generator sites. I really do appreciate the suggestion, but that seems so impersonal to me. Besides, how do I know that someone hasn't programed a favorite number into the number generator computer? I'll trust my daughters fingers over some unknown computer out on the web.)

So, with camera in my wife's hand, here are the results!!!!...

Prize Category #1: The winners of a free copy of one of my doodles are...

1. Fire Hunt, over at Fire Hunt

2. Leigh, over at Tales From Bloggerritaville

3. Geisme, over at Rantings From a Crazy Woman

4. Missy, over at Missyz Stuff

Congratulations winners! Your assignment, should you choose to accept it, will be to surf my blog and find the doodle that speaks to your heart, or funny bone. Then tell me your choice, and then I'll ship it your way!! I suggest you look at some of my older post, or the list of my favorite doodles shown in the right column. You choose which one you'd like a copy of and then give me your contact information by e-mailing me at green_rick@juno.com.

I'm looking forward to seeing which one you pick.

(This is a photo of my daughter looking goofy at me behind my back while I recorded the names of the winners. I made her stay up late to get the slips of paper ready for the drawing. She and her mother think I've gone nuts with this blogging thing. I don't know. What do you think?)

AND NOW!! For the Grand Prize Winner:

Congratulations to Chuck over at Chuck Thinks Right. (Which is obvious since he thought to sign up for my giveaway and won!)

Chuck, my lovely daughter has drawn your name out of the popcorn bowl. So, we need to talk. Please begin now getting some clear/large photos together that I can use to create your one of a kind caricature drawn with these already tired fingers.

Now Chuck, a word from last year's winner of this giveaway...

Dear Rick,

Just so you will know last year my entire life changed! Oh happy day! You will not believe it! Everyone started looking at me differently, I became a Major Player every where I traveled. Now I hang out with only the coolestt folks I have sampled many colorful foods while visiting several foreign places I am still on the go! Plus, Rick, much to my delight, I found complete peace and serenity very near my own home. What can I say? Thank you ever~so for making me a winner! I say this to the next winner of your. Hold on to your hat and enjoy the fame Sincerely, your friend in Florida

Thank you everyone who signed up for a chance to win.

I would love to give everyone a free doodle of their own, but, alas!, that's just not possible. But, if you're interested in purchasing one you can use my contact information to find out about how I price my caricatures. Most people find my prices very reasonable.

In the mean time I hope you'll stay "tooned" for further postings. Check in often as I try to post a new doodle every other day.

In fact a new doodle is long over due from me.

So here, for your nonsense pleasure, is another bit of nonsense drawn while on the plane during my recent trip to Oklahoma. Also, just colored this evening in my computer.

Maybe very soon you'll have a giveaway of your own. Please feel free to use this Copy & Share If You Dare doodle for yourself, and give me a heads up when you do.

Thank you all again. Stay tooned for more!!

Great Big Humongus Giveaway

Time is up! The polls are closed!

Check in tomorrow morning for the big announcement.

-----------------------------

Here it is!! Welcome to my second annual Great Big Humongous Giveaway!

January 4th will mark two years since I started Organized Doodles. To celebrate I am giving away some PRIZES!

What are the prizes?

1. I am giving away a copy of one of my doodles to four different individuals, chosen by a random drawing. The selected winners will be asked to surf back through my blog and select one of the various doodles that I've posted in the past. After telling me which doodle they have selected I will send them a signed copy of the piece. I'll even pay for shipping. The possible selections do not include one of the caricatures that I've drawn for others. (But would you really want one of those?) But the possible selections DO include any one of the various pieces of cartoon artwork that I've posted on this blog.

Also!!!...

2. I am giving away one free caricature drawn personally by me - the doodle king himself. Upon selection, all that the winner will have to do is e-mail me a clear, large photo of themselves, or of whomever they would like me to draw, and I will create for him, or her, their very own caricature - like the many, many that I've posted on my blog these past two years.

Please note: The caricature can only be an illustration of one individual - no group drawings please. (I know how some of you people operate.)

What's the Catch?

There is no catch. This is just my way of saying thanks to all the people that have made this blogging thing the adventure that it has been for me.

Two years ago I began Organized Doodles as a way to post my cartoons onto the world wide web. At that time I had an audience of zero. These past two years have give me the chance to digitally meet many great people. It's been a lot of fun.

This giveaway is my little way of saying thanks to all the people that visit my blog and have given me so much fun.

How do I sign up?

All you have to do is make a comment on this post and your name will be put into the hat, bowl, bath tub, whatever, for a chance to win. That's it! There's no creating a link on your blog back to this mine. No sending in five box tops. No giving away your first born child. (Not that you'd want to - right?) Nothing like that. Just make a comment (preferable a kind one) and you will be entered for a chance to win one of these fine prizes.

Now, if you do want to tell your blogging friends about this giveaway then that would be okay with me. Some of you have taken a chance use one or more of my Copy & Share If You Dare Doodles, and (hint, hint) if you wanted to return the favor by telling others about my little giveaway, then that would be nice. And as your mother use to say, "It's nice to be nice."

A proper method of contact will be important for you to provide to me, just in case you win. A back link to your blog will suffice, but I can't tell you if you won if I don't have anyway of making contact.

Only one entry per person will be accepted. Multiple comments will not give you more opportunities to win. No cheating allowed!! I'll tell your mother if you do. Also, my immediate family members are not eligible. Sorry family. It just wouldn't be right.

When will the winners be announced?

The cut off for entry is 10 PM, Pacific Standard time, January 4th. I will be selecting the winners, with the help of my daughter, that evening and I will announce the winners sometime on the morning of January 5th. After that, I will trying to make contact with the each person and begin making the necessary arrangements so that they can receive their prize.

That's it! Good luck!!

AND NOW!!! an unveiling...

This is a piece that I've been telling you about recently. I'm calling it "Doodlenormous." It is a collection of nonsensical doodles that I created purely for fun. It is an 11x14 illustration with an 1/2 inch border. Hidden within it's menagerie of madness are 13 egg-men! Why 13? Because 13 is funnier than 12. Makes sense? (If you're saying, "egg-men?", then you're new to these parts.)

But!!!...

This time there IS a catch. The only way you can fully appreciate and properly visually explore this creation is to purchase a copy from me for a mere $10 (plus $3 S&H - $5 outside the U.S.) That's right! This particular doodle is for sell.

I know what you're thinking: "Why only $10?" Well, it's because I get these printed at my local pharmacy. So, we're not talking about a professional print here. BUT, each print will be clean and clear and have one bit of doodle originality drawn on it by me. So no two copies will be exactly alike. AND each copy will have an original signature by me. What more could you ask for?

For your purchase you will enjoy hours, upon hours of fun exploration of this crazy creation, as you sit and ask yourself, "What's wrong with this fellow?"

All you have to do is e-mail me at green_rick@juno.com, and tell me that you want to make a purchase and I will make the necessary arrangements with you so that you can have your very own piece of cartoon history.

Hey people! Momma needs a new pair of shoes. So dig out that Christmas money that Aunt Betty gave you because she was too lazy to go out and buy you a real gift and treat yourself to your very own copy of this delicious doodle delicacy. Your brain will thank you.

So order now!

Happy New Year

We're still in Oklahoma enjoying the company of my daughters. I have limited access to a computer, so I haven't been able to do a lot of posting. In fact, it's is very early in the morning here. I was awaken by a good old fashion Oklahoma thunder storm.

I did manage to scan this little Copy & Share If You Dare doodle before I left. Normally I would have some happy little bit of text, or something, to go with it, but I didn't even have time to get that done. So you got ahead and make the necessary additions if you'd like.

I did a little doodling on the airplanes on the trip over, which I think you'll enjoy - one is a twist on the New Year theme, but I don't think I'll have the chance to load it up before the 2009. So this will probably have to do for now.

I'm looking forward to hearing some reports of the Christmas unveiling's, when various persons opened up their doodles. I really hope to get some pics to load on to my blog. Those bits of feedback on the icing on the cake for me. I got a report from Laura, my peachie friend, that hers didn't make it by Christmas. That was a bit of bummer news. I think Mr. Postal Person ran into the big snow storm that had everything grounded in Portland a few days before Christmas. We had to drive through some of the after-math of that storm to get to the airport. There were several cars still sitting in the ditch along the way. I hope the doodle has made it by now Laura - sorry.

ALSO!!! (note: Three exclamation marks - so that means I'm really, really excited) Don't forget my Great Big Humongous Giveaway right after the first of the year. January 4th will officially mark my second anniversary of blogging. This blogging thing was something that I began on a whim one afternoon, while sitting on my couch back home. I had no idea the about the fun I would have connecting with good people (such as yourself) all over the globe.

I am giving away a free caricature, drawn by me, of you. Or of someone you'd like to insult. I'm even paying for shipping and handling. That's the grand prize. But I will also be giving away copies of some of my doodles to three different, randomly selected, totally impartial selected individuals. Those person will be able to do some back surfing on my blog and choose which particular doodle of mine that they would like to receive. The choices would not include anyone of the caricatures that I've done, which I don't think anyone would want in the first place, but would include any of the color, or black/white doodles I've created.

So stay tooned, and good luck.

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.

The Grand Prize

See what happens when you accept the invitation from some weird stranger that visits your blog and asking you to sign up for his little contest?

THIS kind of stuff happens!

"BB", over at Some Pink Flowers, was selected back in the first part of January to receive a free caricature drawn by me. (I was celebrating one year of blogging) After some thought, "BB" sent me a list of some of the things that she likes. She told me that likes to travel and so living out an "overstuffed roll-on suitcase" is routine for her. Also, she lives in sunny Florida and she likes her t-shirts and shorts.

"BB" also has a thing for multi-colored Chuck Taylor Converse sneakers. I guess everybody has to have a thing, and brightly colored tennis shoes are hers. My thing is getting my shoes on the right feet in the morning. What's your thing?

One of the challenges about illustrating "BB" is that she is in the habit of covering a portion of her face whenever she posts a photo of herself. Yes, I know what you're thinking - just like Earl Hindman, a.k.a. Wilson, in Home Improvement. Only, I think his was an ugly issue.
As best as I can tell that's not "BB's" problem. It's more of an, "I don't want to show too much of my face on the inter-net" issue. So, the challenge for me was to capture enough of her to get a likeness. Fortunately for me she does have a wonderful crop of curly hair which distinguishes her from your average blogger.

I think the illustration turned out well. Of course I had to add some pink flowers because... A. The name of her blog is Some Pink Flowers, and B. She sent me this photo of a pink flower when she was first e-mailing me - just for me. Awhhhh!!!

Thank you "BB" (must stand for Baby Blues) for joining my little contest and thank you for my flower. You're a funny, fun lady, and I hope that you get a lot of fun out of your cartoon.

Which One Did She Choose?

Some have asked to be informed as to which illustration "Stimey," over at stimeyland , chose for her prize. Her choice was "Barnyard Boogie," an illustration that I posted clear back in January 8, of '07. This is one of two illustrations that I drew for a contest that the local county fair was having to illustrate that year's theme. (More details at that post.)

Stimey made an interesting choice in that this particular drawing is larger than I normally draw my cartoons. It is an 11x14, rather than the usual 8x10. So, she got the most bang for her buck - or non-buck as the case may be. Thanks again Jean, oops! sorry, Stimey, for particapating in the give-away.

(That's the first time that I did the strike through thingy. I learned it over in the comments on Dawn's blog.)

Here's something that I drew a couple of years ago. I live where fishing is king and at the time I was trying to drawing a few cartoons that people might like to purchase. I have a few fishing toons that I've drawn. This is one of them.


If you're interested in purchasing a print for yourself you might be surprised how cheaply I price them. I find that most artist over price their work. While I prefer to actually sell my stuff - rather than let it sit in a box somewhere.

You contact me at the e-mail address given in the column to the right.

The Results Are In!!!

As I thought, the girls were slow in getting up and were NOT happy with the idea of me taking their photos without me giving them a chance to clean up their act a bit. My youngest kept asking, "Dad, why are you so crazy?"

My Dad always said, "Insanity is hereditary. You get it from your kids." But I didn't tell her that. I was focused on getting the task done.

I had so many people sign up for my little give-away that my hat was over flowing and I had to move the names over to our popcorn bowl. Thank you everyone!!!


So, here are the results.

Drum roll please...


Prize #1: CONGRATULATIONS to "stimey" over at stimeyland . My youngest daughter pulled your name from the hat (bowl) and you have just won a free copy of any one of my cartoons that I've published on my blog. Your possible choices excludes any of the caricatures that I have drawn for other people. But you CAN choose any of the other illustrations that I've published on this blog. The illustration will come to you on a clean white piece of 11x14 paper - suitable for framing. Free shipping is included.


More drum roll...


Prize #2: CONGRATULATIONS to "somepinkflowers" over at her blog by the same name . My 2nd child pulled your name out of the hat (again - bowl) and you have just won a free caricature created by me. I will be needing to hear from you about who you would like me to illustrate, the scenario for that illustration, and gets some photos from you for me to look at. Again, free shipping is included. So, start thinking.


THANK YOU EVERYONE!! that posted a comment on my blog. I was amazed at how many people were willing to sign up. I hope that you will visiting again - often, and that you'll think of me when it comes to meeting your cartoon needs.

And STAY "TOONED"

The Polls Are Closed!!

Well, its mid-night and that officially ends the registration for my big little give-away. Wow! I am excited about the number of people that signed up for it. 224! I couldn't be happier.

The various comments were interesting. Some of you were ready to burn me at the stake for posting a bit of "spam" on your blog. My apologies for being so forward, but I really wanted to try and generate some traffic for the contest. To me it seemed that the best way to do that was to go out into the blogging universe and invite people back to my little corner of the web. Thanks for accepting my "no gimmick" invitation.

Others, interestingly, practically threaten me if they don't win. I didn't realize that prize giving could be so hazardous to one's health. Still, I appreciate the intensity with which people are wanting one of my little creations. But please, it's not worth risking imprisonment.

Later on today I will be dragging my two of my daughters out of bed to help me pick the winners. (Note: They can sleep in really late) So check back to see if your name gets chosen. I know, I know - but doesn't the anticipation make winning all that more sweet.

It's late and I'm going to bed now.

Celebrating One Year of Blogging

Great Big, Humongous, Gigantic, Give-Away: Today begins the four days of registration for my big give-away. Beginning today, and until the end of January 4, anyone that adds a comment on my blog will have their name placed in a hat for a chance to win one of two prizes. That's all you have to do. Just make a comment on this particular post and your name will be entered for a chance to win!!

Prize #1: A free print of any of my cartoons that I've posted on my blog this past year. (I will even pay for shipping.) Excluded as a possible choice are any of the caricatures that I've done for other people this past year. But! The winner gets to choose from any of my cartoons - color or black & white - that have been displayed on my blog this past year. Yours to cherish for a life time!

Prize #2: Perhaps the grand prize - A free caricature drawn by me. All the winner has to do is send me a photo, or two, of themeselves, or of whoever they may want me to illustrate. Then I will go to work and create the winner their very own Rick Green original illustration. The only stipulation is that the caricature can only be of one person - no groups illustrations for this prize.

Included with your comment you will need to provide information for me to contact you in case you are the winner. The normal link back to a personal blog would work just fine - or an e-mail address. Whatever it will take for me to make contact with you.

On January 5, I will put all the names in a hat and then two of my daughters will draw out one name each for each one of the prizes. Then I will announce the winners on my blog sometime on the 5th. Each person entering is allowed only one entry. Posting more than one comment will not give you more opportunities to win. My family members are not allowed to enter - you all generally get my services for free anyway.

Good luck and thank you for all the fun that I've had this past year.

Rick Green
Cartoonist for the Common Man & Wo-man

P.S. And for you art lovers out there...

Jennifer's Full House

Jennifer wrote me and asked me to do an illustration of her children. It was to be a surprize gift for her husband. She said, "My husband's answer to anyone when they ask if/when we're having more kids is, 'We have a full house. 2 girls/3 boys.'"











So the challenge she put before me was to draw her children as a full house of cards. Below are the results.

I spent a lot of time on this one looking at a deck of cards that I had and trying very hard to capture their child-like features.

What do you think?

The next time someone ask her husband whether or not they're going to have more children all he'll have to do is point at the cartoon. Then tell them to mind their own business.



Anniversary Give-Away: On yesterday's post I announced an anniversary give-away that I am conducting to celebrate one year of blogging. Here is a little more clarification of the rules...

All you have to do is post a comment at least once on January 1,2,3 or 4 of 2008. You don't have to do anything else. Just post a comment, but posting more than once won't increase your chances of winning.

There will be two prizes given away.

One prize will be a print of any of the cartoons that I have published on this blog - signed by your's truly. (What does that mean anyway - "Your's Truly"?) The selection of cartoons would NOT include any of the caricatures that I've drawn for other people - who would want someone else's drawing anyway. But it does include any cartoon, color or black & white, that I've put on my blog this past year. The winner will get to choose.

The second prize will be the chance to have me do a caricature for them for free, or of someone else for free. This means the face of ONE person only. Sorry, no piling on family groups - I know how some of you think.

On January 5th, two of my daughters will pick one name each out of a hat and then I will announce the winners that day.

Providing contact information will be important. The usual link to your blog will do nicely. Just some method of contact is all that I need.

That's it! I just want to thank everyone for the fun ride that I've had past year, and this is my little way of doing that.