Great Big Humongus Giveaway

Time is up! The polls are closed!

Check in tomorrow morning for the big announcement.

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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!

Coming Through

Just a doodle I did some- time ago while I was wasting time.

Not much to say about it. It is what it is.

My calendar for doodles between now and Christmas is fairly full. Soon, I should be able to post a number of caricatures. I've been working on one most of the evening. It's late now and I need to go beddie-bye.

Blog you later. Nightie Night!

Mo On the T'

This is just a quick doodle I did for the nice lady that is in charge of the Children's Bible Quizzing team at our church. She wanted something for the team's t-shirts.

I'm pretty much the resident doodler at our church. I don't mind. For me, it's a way of giving back something that I consider to be a gift from the Lord to me—my doodle-ability.

The children are studying Exodus this year and, as you Bible scholars out there already know, contains the story of Moses.

Haven't read it? Go ahead. It's a great read. I love the part about the frogs.

Copy & Share If You Dare. You might find a reason to use Mo on a t-shirt of your own.

In other news: I got another caricature done last night. Now I'm working on another t-shirt design that shouldn't take me too long. Then it's back to the request list and heading towards Christmas.

Be sure to check things out at the beginning of January. I'll be giving away another caricature and some prints to celebrate two years of blogging.

So stay "tooned!"

Hovering Hogs

Here's a quick doodle I scratched down yesterday. You've heard the expression, "That will happen when pigs fly." Well, here's another attempt at illustrating it. (I discovered that there are several versions of it out there.)

A friend thought that the pig should be happy because he's flying—most of the illustrations I saw on the internet did have happy pigs. But my point was that a flying pig represents something, or an event, that would not likely happen. So... this pig is begrudgingly taking flight.

Copy & Share If You Dare when the sow has had lift off in your world.

I just e-mailed this doodle out to several friends. My message there said...

Hey! I just heard that the government is going to offer you a bailout too.

And that will happen when................... (doodle inserted)

Try it. It will make you feel all warm and toasty inside.
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I posted an earlier doodle of an animal taking flight here...

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In other news: The Old Testament collage project continues. (Check my previous post) The original is 11x14. In order to scan the illustration I have to put it on a photocopier and reduce it. The quality of the copy is not that great. There are streaks in this image that the copier creates—I don't know why.

I'll continue to post this pencil creation so that you can check it's progress. The goal is to auction off the piece to raise money for the youth group at the church I attend.

Pumpkin Pickup Line

I wanted to get this out a day early, just in case you might like to use it where you hang out on the net. So... this is yet another "Copy & Share If You Dare" doodle. All I ask is that you give me a pumpkin-heads up if you are using it. I just like to know about these things. They're like children to me.

I colored this one in Photoshop. Do you like how I did the letters? I'm slowly learning!

I'll be at our church, helping out with the carnival, like I have for the past five years. The forecast is rain, and that means more people because parents will be looking for a dry place to take their kids.

So, have a safe and happy Hallowed Eve!

Also: Cathie posted this photo of the doodle I did of her husband, Jason, on her blog. It proudly hangs above his Lord of the Rings collection. I always enjoy seeing photos like these. I'm guessing that he really liked it because it hangs in what is apparently a very hallowed spot in their home. Seriously, I'm amazed that anyone would hang on of my doodles on one of their walls. I don't even hang any of them on MY walls. I guess that's strange isn't it?

Thanks for sharing Cathie. Is your husband dressing up like Gandalf the Gray, or Gandalf the White for Halloween this year? (I say go with Gray—much easier to clean up after.)

Baby Sitter

This is just another nonsense doodle. I don't know if you can find a place to use this one, but you're welcome to try - Copy & Share If You Dare. Erase the label and put another caption on it if you want. I don't care.

I've done a bit of baby sitting in my day. I had one family with four children that use to run me crazy. I made the mistake of introducing them to playing "monster." I was the monster and they'd run to the safety of the "base," or rather, the family room couch. Over and over again they wanted to play that game. To give myself a break, I always wanted to play a game you could call, "See if you can untie this knot." Alas, they usually could.

Poor children, who knows what nightmares they suffered after I left. But they kept on wanting me to come back, so I guess they weren't too traumatized.

Nupituals

My eldest daughter gets married today.

What does it mean to be married? This is what the Bible says that it means.

A "Copy & Share If You Dare" doodle. (Check the information in the right column for the complete details.)

Hot Breath

It's a very busy time for me. The whole family is together, including the man of the hour - my soon to be Son-In-Law. The ladies are sitting at the dinning room table putting favors together. I'm tired and the Mother of the Bride has her slave scheduled for a full day of wedding preparation fun tomorrow. (The nuptials are on Saturday. Y'all come!)

This is a doodle that I did some time ago and has been sitting around waiting for a chance to be posted. I call it "Hot Breath". (Creative, huh?)

Maybe you can find a reason to use it. So, you know the rules on my Copy & Share (Check the info. in the right column for full details) Be sure to click on the image to get the full, fun size.

Yes Madison, There Is A Tooth Fairy, But...

The other day I was doing a little blog surfing and found a funny post by Jennifer regarding her daughter Madison. After reading it I began to have another doodle start brewing in my whittle brain.

Last night I woke up thinking wedding thoughts and couldn't get back to sleep. Soooo... in true cartoonist fashion, I began to scratch out this piece.

I fear that Jennifer might not want to show it to her daughter - kinda' creepy don't ya think?

Here's to you Madison and the entrepreneur spirit you display when dealing with the Tooth Fairy.

Another Copy & Share If You Dare doodle.

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Also, if you enjoyed the last post please check out Margaret's response to my comments. She did a good job tying things up a bit.

Thanks Margaret. You're very kind and very funny.

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Also, if you enjoy art, and the idea of winning a very nice print, check out Melanie's blog where she's giving away what I consider to be a very nice example of her work.

Bug-Eyed Banjo

Hey there! I've got some carica- tures to upload but I need to do a little scan work before I do.

So here is another doodle I created while at that meeting last week.

I actually own a banjo. Do I play the banjo? No, but as I youth I had my aspirations.

My granddad left me his after he pass away. It's one of my treasured possessions. I have plans to pass it on to one of my grandchild someday - hopefully one that can actually play it. But, right now, we're working on the son-in-law thing.

The wedding is a week from tomorrow. I may be a little distracted next week - so much to get done.

And yes... PLEASE! Copy and Share If You Dare - if you can find an excuse to use it; maybe you're just a music lover - print it out for a coloring page for your child - give it to the school music teacher....

What? Me Stress?

Thank you to everyone that took the time to post a birthday wish to Jim-Jim, my BIL. I really appreciated it and so did he. My sis, Beck, said that he saw the post early in the day, but got to celebrate the rest of his special day by visiting a couple of doctors. Oh joy!

Last week, the wife and I were at a conference where the speaker, a medical doctor, stressed the need get the proper amount of rest and relaxation. While he was speaking, instead of taking notes, I was relaxing by doing some doodling. Here's is just one of the creations that I put down on paper.

Maybe you can relate.

Speaking of stress... We're on an 11 day countdown to our daughter's wedding. There is MUCH to be done, and we're feeling a bit stress - not enough time to get everything done.

One of the projects that we have going is the collecting and drying of hydrangeas for the floral decorations. Our laundry room, and my office is full of hydrangeas. It's amazing how many little critters live in those things. I discovered one the other night crawling across my drawing table.

(Now I'm going to brag here: You can't see it, but our laundry room is one of the few that I know of that has a view of the ocean. But don't go thinking that I spend a whole lot of time in there.)

And hey!... This doodle is another "Copy & Share If You Dare" creation. I'm thinking that some of you out there can find a reason to post this piece. You know the rules... drop me a note so that I can come and take a peek.

It's late. Peace out...

Mom On The Go!

I'm at a con- ference at the mo- ment in Newport, OR. - sitting in a motel room looking at the great big Pacific Ocean. I don't have a lot of time, but I thought that I would throw up, or rather, on this doodle that I did not long ago.

So, this is yet another "Copy & Share If You Dare" doodle. Feel free to use it in your diabolical plans to take over the internet, or whatever. All I ask is a "heads up" when you do. I love seeing my work splashed all over the web.

Behind the Seen

September is almost over and I know some of you really, truly organized bloggers out there are already thinking of.... (Dare I say it?) Christmas.

As I look back I realize that my Christmas art has been rather cynical. Actually, I do enjoy Christmas. I just don't enjoy getting ready for it. But you know, those sleigh bells will be a jinglin' soon!

So, this doodle may be a little too early for most of us, but I have another one that I'm really looking forward to sharing with you later on. I figured that I should pop this one in on you now - while you were least expecting it.

Also: I meant to share some photos with you when I posted the illustration I drew of Jason the Gray. But I forgot to.

I had my daughter take a few pics of me while I was working on that caricature. This is meant to be your peek into my inner sanctum. It's the story behind the story. It's the rest of the story. It's... It's... Well, it's another way for me to get attention from you - my kind blogging friends.

I start out making a pencil sketch of the concept I am trying to make. I use the pencil very lightly at first. When I'm happy with what I've got down, I come back with a pencil again - laying down a stronger line.


This is me at my art table in my home office, with my trusty little Mac at my side. I am constantly referencing the photos on it that my clients have sent me, and pics that I've down loaded from the web to help me create a better concept. The mess on the corner of the desk (I fear) is typical. You can see a bit of the T.V. in the corner of the room, which is also something I am constantly referencing while I draw.


Here I am going back over my pencil marks with a pen. I always seem to need to take a breath before I start on this step, because if I mess up here the whole project is ruined.


I always feel better when I get this part done. The rest takes time, but it's much less stressful.


I almost forgot to get my daughter to take another photo before I was finished with the color pencils. I have learned to start at the top left-hand corner of the illustration and work my way down and across it. The pencil uses wax as a base and so my hands can easily smear some of the pigment if I am not careful. When that does happen it makes for some very interesting creative color work. (Do you see my Dollar Store glasses?)


When I am done I photograph the final product and e-mail a small copy to the customer for their approval. They send me payment, either by check, or through PayPal. I then mail them their original artwork, and we're all happy.

I've been going crazy on this caricature thing for nearly a year now. You can generally find me in the evenings sitting at my desk doodling someone's face on a piece of paper. I honestly do enjoy it, but sometime I think I've created a.......

What?

Some of you are looking at this doodle and saying, "What?" That makes me do a COL. (Chuckle Out Loud)

Sorry, but if I have to explain it to you, well, then... you're probably one of the sane ones that reads this blog. (Consider yourself fortunate.)

In other news: Mum-Me posted some photos of her husband opening the caricature that I drew of him. I like getting photos of an unveiling. I don't get to see pics like this too often. Thanks Mum-you for sharing them with me. Seeing them gives me a warm fuzzy feeling inside.

About the unveiling Mum wrote...

I find it very difficult to shop for gifts for HB. If he wants or needs something he just buys it. I am always looking for something unusual and original to give him for his birthday. So I was very excited to stumble across Rick's blog and I contacted him earlier in the year and asked if he could draw a cartoon of HB. Rick agreed, and here is the result.

I think he liked it.

He kept looking and chuckling, looking and chuckling for quite a while. I finally asked him what he thought, and he said "It's funny." Well, that was the whole idea so I judge it a success. Oh, and he did want to know how the illustrator was able to draw the details of his motorbike, camera and clothes so well. (So I think he was pretty impressed by that, Rick.)

Thanks again Mum. As far as the all the details in the drawing... they call it "tracing". I'm glad that he liked it.





It's always a bit bazaar to me to see something that I drew here in Oregon in the hands of someone in Australia. That's the power of the internet.

Smile

Some doodles don't need a lot of explanation.

This is another "Copy & Share If You Dare" doodle. Be sure to click on the image and down load the full size.

There Is None

This is just another bit of absurd humor. I don't know - I doodle these things and then some kind of caption pops into my head, and then I write it down. Don't try to give it any kind of deep meaning. There is none.

(Sorry - an egg-less doodle.)

In other news...

I enjoyed going to Chris' blog yesterday evening and seeing that she had posted a photo of my crazy doodle on her blog.

She wrote...

Notice the 'doodle' art on the wall that I got from Rick Green ? It was the FIRST thing I hung on a wall in our new home! And it goes so well in this room.... I'm wrapt with it.

There it is. Can you see it?

I wrote her to thank her for posting the photo. She replied and said...

I am soooo happy you saw it! I loved it and was thrilled to bits that we had the perfect room to hang it in immediately.... The bright pink board was already in the house attatched to the wall when we moved in, how perfect !

My Mum is in that room while she is visiting and says "Lovely doodle Rick"....

I asked her what "wrapt" meant. My New Zealand-eese is a bit rusty....

"Wrapt" in the context I used means... very very happy!

Keep up the fantastic work, and try not to do too many more 'doodles' that I just HAVE TO BUY!!! I will end up broke!

Have a lovely day..
Regards
Chris H

Thanks again Chris. Please keep that pocket book handy. The daughter is getting married and the wallet is mighty thin right now.

AND! my thanks to your Mum. She obviously has an eye for art!

Another Shot of Coffee

On my last post I told the story of a caricature I drew for Coffee Bean. I had a lot of fun this weekend waiting for her to discover my surprise gift that I drew for her. What I expected to happen was that someone would write and tell her to look at my blog and then she would discover it.

What actually did happen was that Bean had a bit of a change of heart and e-mailed me about doing a more simple caricature of just her for her other blog. At that point I just wrote back and said, "Go check out my blog." What happened next was a number of different e-mail exchanges over the weekend. (Some of that you can read in the comment section from the previous post.)

I particularly enjoyed one e-mail I got from her when she had a chance to sit down and write...

"Gosh Rick. When you said to go over to your blog my heart jumped up into my throat because I was afraid something bad had happened and you weren't going to be doing drawings for awhile. I just couldn't believe what I saw! I only had time to quickly skim over what you wrote! Wow! We do want to pay you! The first thing my husband said when he saw it was, "Wow! He's really talented. That really looks like you!" and then he said, "We need to pay him for that!" Oh my gosh! You did such a great job! I adore the Coffee Bean! The pink shoes are a HOOT! And my husband is always making fun of me and my sunglasses.. . something you didn't even know!"

(I guess I have that Sixth-Artist-Sense and I'm able to knoooow things about people with out them telling me. I'm going to have a T.V. show called "Crossing Under." And, I might add... Isn't Bean's husband a very perceptive guy as well?)

Of course I told her that she couldn't pay me. That would steal some of my joy. As the great theologian Frank Burns once said, "It's nice to be nice to the nice."

In the process of all this, C. Bean ended up using an illustration I sent her much earlier when she first started her coffee blog. (Actually, I had almost forgotten that I sent her that illustration.) At the time I figured it was something she could use.

When my blogging friend, Brenda, saw the drawing she tried to find where I had previously posted it. Then she e-mailed me and asked where it was. I thought, "She ain't looking hard enough." But, lo and behold, when I looked for it, I too couldn't find it. That was hard for me to believe. I drew this a few years back - figuring that somebody would want to purchase a copy for their caffeine addicted friend or loved one. And if memory serves (which rarely it does) I have sold a few copies of it.

So, here it is, posted for your entertainment pleasure.

IF I were to do it again I would switch the "wife's" place with her "husband." When people see this illustration they tend to read her dialogue first; which doesn't make sense until you read his.

(If you'd like an autographed copy you can always e-mail me at the address give in the right-side column. For a mere $15 I will put a fresh copy in your hands.)

Also: In the flurry of e-mail exchanges between The Bean and Me she present me with this blog award. And so, on behalf of all pitifully tender egos everywhere, I do here by accept (and expect) this award. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. (Last line to be said in your best Elvis voice.)

I've seen this award on a number of different blogs that I've surfed through. AND I really didn't expect it from Bean-O. And I really do appreciate it. AND I'm really NOT going to forward it. Just lazy I guess.

Thanks Bean for all the fun that you provided. The illustration(s) looks good on your blog. Keep your chin up and your feet dry.

Beam In Your Eye

This is another illustration inspired by a biblical passage. So much of the Bible inspires creative illustration. I've never seen an illustration of this particular passage. I thought it was begging to be drawn. It comes from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. I think He was trying to be a bit comical when He shared it, because the idea is comical.

The concept speaks for itself - before trying to help someone with their faults be sure to work on your own. It's hard to do eye surgery when your vision is so impaired. You can't even get close enough when there is an eye-plank getting in the way.

So, this is another Copy & Share If You Dare illustration. I would just love for you to tell me about it if you do.

Humility

This is a little cartoon that I was able to get published in a magazine years ago. I got paid $100 bucks for this doodle! By my standards that's good money even today.

This is a another "Copy & Share If You Dare" doodle. Feel free to pass it along.

Organized Doodle Fini!

I finished this doodle up a few days ago. Basically I just doodled around in the empty space, or as we artist call it, the "negative space", in an attempt to fill the page. If you're so inclined you can scroll back two post ago and compare the differences.

Every time I look at this piece I will think "Olympics" because this is what I was doing while my wife and I watched the games.

My New Zealand, blogging friend Chris liked the doodle so much that she purchased it from me. That was a surprise and a blessing. (Thank you very much Chris.) So, pretty soon this doodle will be off to it's new overseas home.

Maybe you'd like to know why I call this blog "Organized Doodles."

(If not, then we're pretty much done here and you can moving along to the next blog.)

I named it that because that's what I've called my drawings for a long time. When people have been so kind as to compliment my work, my reply has often been, "Thank you. They're just organized doodles."

It is my contention that most graphic illustrations are just a collection of familiar shapes that everybody uses almost every day of their lives. And all that anyone needs to learn how to is to organize their doodles in a way that makes them look like a familiar object.

I do cartooning demonstrations for school classrooms very often. I try to teach the children how to take a cartoon and brake it down in their mind so that they see letters and number, and punctuation marks, and then use those familiar shapes to draw something - organized doodles.

For example, all that a normal heart shape is, is a couple of "U's" and a "V" holding hands. You can draw that!

The next time you're sitting in a meeting, bored, try looking at an object, or an illustration and try to see it as a collection of familiar shapes and then put it on paper. The proportions might not quite match, but the object will becomes familiar as you put it on paper. Then you're well on your way to becoming a world famous artist like... well... not like me, but like somebody that is world famous.

Hey, remember, especially when it comes to cartooning: It ain't brain surgery. Enjoy the moment and try to learn to express yourself in art.

No need to thank me now. Just remember me when you sell that first piece for a million.

P.S. I past 20,000 hits on this blog - counting from mid-January last. Thank you all for giving this doodler the ego strokes that he so desperately needs and craves.