It's Not Nice to Fool With Mother Lisa

Lisa has been a visitor to my blog, and a Facebook friend, for sometime now.  The other day she finally worked up the courage to ask me how much I charge for a caricature drawing.  I gave her the information and, apparently, she liked what she read and ordered up an illustration right away.

Lisa has a particular love for raccoons, but when I checked out her photos I saw that she has a love for all kinds of God's creatures.  So, instead of illustrating her with just raccoons I decided to turn her into the mother of all nature... (You got it.) Mother Nature herself.

I really like how this one turned out.  In fact, I am adding it to my Favorite Doodles list.  I had fun doing research on various attempts at illustrating Mother Nature.  My version incorporates some aspects of several different images—with a lot of Lisa put into the mix, of course.  Lisa apparently liked what she saw.  She's using it as her Facebook profile pic.

In other news...

Some of my family got together to celebrate my mother's 80th birthday.  We met in a four bedroom cabin in Hood River, OR.  Since sometimes members of the family visit this blog here are a few photos that I took during our weekend together.  Non-family types are allowed to view the photos as well.

The cabin we stayed in.

View of the Columbia Gorge from our cabin.

The family gathered for breakfast.

A sign in a store window, downtown Hood River, OR

(I thought you would enjoy seeing it.)

Mom and Dad

Our youngest - Marla

(Ain't she purty?)

Mom blowing out the candles.

Mom crocheting.

She's trying to make a tablecloth for all of her granddaughters.

Marla and me walking.

My oldest keeps me exercising by making me do 30 minutes before she will give me a phone call.  I hate exercising, but I love talking to my girls.

A view of Mt. Hood shot through a grove of pear trees.  I thought it made an interesting photo.

Mt. Hood on a rare clear day - minus the pear trees

The family - all that was there, at least

Just Hanging With Jesus

Jon saw the doodle that I created for my sister, Becky. He is a youth pastor in Yreka, CA.  Jon contacted me about an illustration he has wanted for sometime.  He said that he wanted an illustration depicting Jesus just hanging out with teens.  While, to me, drawing Jesus as a cartoon seems less than worthy of such an honored  subject, I'm not one to turn down a paying job.  (In other words: I can be bought.)

After looking for various photos of teens just hanging out, this is what I came up with.  Jon liked what he saw.  He said that he was going to frame it and hang it in his new office that his church is building.

I assume Jon, that you'll have the illustration hanging under proper lighting—give it a heavenly glow.

Chief Thunder Bolt

This is the last of the doodles I created during my meeting two weeks ago in Salem.  I guess I like this one the least from that series.  The story behind the doodle is that we were at the time conducting an interview with a friend I've worked with during a few of the children's summer camps I attended.  For whatever reason, her nickname at those camps has always been "Princes Thunder Bolt."  I'm sure that there is a story behind the name somewhere. One time I even gave her a "Princes Thunder Bolt" doodle.  So, this time I thought I would create the male counter part.  But, I haven't shown it to her.  Maybe that's because I'm not too crazy about the illustration.  But here it is for your viewing pleasure.

This is a Copy & Share If You Dare doodle.  Remember that if the illustration is NOT labeled Copy & Share... then that particular drawing is (as you might guess) not to be copied.  Just so you know.

Banner Update

Back in September I posted a design I created for a banner that some of the ladies in my church asked me to put together.  The ladies finished it and it has been hanging in the front of the sanctuary of our church the last few Sundays.  They did a pretty good job, I thought.

Here's a photo of it.  What do you think?

Hilary's Holiday Hoorah

Sometime last year I was contacted by Hilary from way over in England.  She found a doodle of mine that I created for a children's camp here in Oregon.  Hilary wanted to use it as a logo for "Holiday Bible Club" they conduct each year.  (Over here in America we call them Vacation Bible Schools.)  I like kids and I sure want to do want ever I could to promote their Bible education, so I gave her my "blessing", of course.  The one condition would be the payment of photos from the event sent to me.  I've been saving these photos for some time, waiting for the chance to share them with you...

Included in the photos that she sent me was a picture of a "sculpture" they created based upon my doodle.  That was a first for me.  To my knowledge, no one has ever turned my art into a 3D image.  Pretty cool, huh!?!

This year, Hilary contacted me again about creating a brand new image for her.  I told her that I would have to charge her this time, but (I modestly add) it wasn't much—certainly not in today's Pounds to Dollars exchange rate.  Hilary wanted an image of a child, that could be seen as either male or female, riding a flying bike.  If you've been around my blog you know that I don't like to draw mechanical items, but for the kids I was going to give it the "Organized Doodles try."  

After playing with the colors to suit her taste, this is what I sent Hilary.  I hope to get some photos, yet again, of this year's event.
What do you think?

Update:  This note from Hilary...
Hi Rick,

Many thanks for that.  I thought your page was very interesting.  I’m so glad you liked our 3D model, it did cause quite a stir.  We are hoping to make a model of this year’s logo as well, but I haven’t mentioned that to our designer yet …

Thanks and God Bless,

Hilary

Gonna' Get You...

I keep posting these "meeting doodles."  I have other works to share, but posting and writing out the text for them is always more involved.  So, on a lazy Superbowl Sunday, I offer another tidbit to you.  It's much the same kind of stuff, only this one I took the time to color.

I'm not sure if, or where you can use this one.  It's a little "Halloweeny", but go ahead and Copy & Share If You Dare.  In the mean time—keep looking back over your shoulder.

Mosey On Out of Here

The birthday is over.  I had a great day, but it's time to get back to some cartoon series posting.  Here's another meeting doodle from the day long one I was in last week.

Besides the fact that his pointy finger looks like a carrot, I like my conception of Moses.  I think his beard turned out especially well.  And, don't you figure that a guy named "Moses" might tell 'o Pharaoh  to let them "mosey?"


Copy & Share If You Dare

Give Me Some Birthday Love

Well, it's my birthday—I don't mind tell you.  And I don't mind telling you that I turn 53 today.  Is it just me, or does everyone have a hard time remembering how old they are when they get to be my age.  I'm not talking about pretending you forget how old you are.  I seriously have a hard time remembering.  One time I was 46 for almost two years before my brother informed me that I was turning 48.  Wow!  That 47th year went by really fast.

This is a doodle that I originally created as a birthday greeting for my sister Becky a couple of years ago.  You can see the original using the link (if you like).  You'll have to scroll down to the bottom of the post.  I just changed the text and gave it some color.  I wanted something to post as my profile pic on my Facebook account, so I made the changes.  But I didn't want to miss the opportunity to share it with you too, so enjoy.

Make my day complete.  Give me some blog comment love.  I'll turn 53 a happy man.

Don't Bug Me

Some of my most productive doodle time happens during long boring meetings.  This last week was no exception.  I had to go to an all day meeting up in Salem (A 5 hour drive north of me), and while everybody else is sitting at a table trying to ask pertinent asks, there is Rick Green off to one side drawing his poor "whittle" fingers to the bone.

This particular doodle is a product of my creative expressions from that day.  I have a few more that I will post in time.

The thing that I like about my "Meeting Doodles" is that they are so unplanned.  I just start drawing and what comes out, comes out.  And, if you make any mistakes, you have to incorporate them some how into the illustration.  I really like how the guy on the left turned out.  I was feeling a bit sad about adding the second, long and lean fellow, on the right, but when I added the captions I felt that it all came together well.  But, as I often say, we're not talking about brain surgery here.  It's just a little fun—we're not creating the Mona Lisa.

I you haven't seen my free Valentine doodle yet be sure to scroll down for your chance to "copy and share"  something for your honey on Valentine.  AND!... Come back Wednesday for a doodle that I am looking forward to share with you.  (How's that for a teaser?)

Hair Ball of Love

This doodle may seem a little early, but I wanted to get it out there so that you could have plenty of time to post it on your blog—that is if you were so inclined to do so.

Since I've had some free doodling time on my hands I've just been doing some sketches for the shear fun of it.  For some unknown reason, other than just trying to draw something different, this cat came out the other night.  Then, while realizing that St. Valentine's Day is almost upon us, I decided to try and use it for an appropriate holiday post.  But, the question was, "What does is cartoon feline suppose to be saying?": "You're my little catnip?"  You're the my one and only litter box of love?"  Nothing seemed to work.  AND THEN!... it hit me!  "Hair Ball of Love!"  What more poetic statement could a cat make?  The two, (cats and their hair balls that is) are so connected.  Just like two people in love.

So, it's with a deep appreciation of heart felt love that I release this Copy & Share If You Dare doodle to you, my romance loving blogging friends.  And for the first time I am releasing two different version at once—a total black and white one, and one that has been highlighted with some hints of color.  You must choose.

Why not celebrate to occasion by giving your own little Hair Ball of Love this doodle printed out on a little note on the 14th?  Wouldn't that be special?

A Message From Your Guardian Angel

Last night my wife's choir had a party at the church.  Family members were invited and so I, being a good husband, went along.  During the party I snuck out and called my sister.  While I was talking to my sister (hi Jan) I started this little doodle.  Then I went back into the party, as it was finishing up, and worked on the illustration some more.  Afterwards I worked on some finishing touches at home.  So, here now is my version of a guardian angel.  The Bible says that we have angels watching over us.  I think this one might be yours, and he's feeling, shall we say, a bit "put out."

Copy & Share If You Dare.

A Little Unhinged

We all have those little moments in our lives (for some it's more than just a little) when our insanity gets the best of us. Most of the time we are able to keep it hidden, but then, one bad day comes along and the whole world knows that we're ready to be committed. Just bring along the straight jacket and find a nice dark, padded room for me to sit quietly in. Are you there today? Then maybe you'll want to Copy & Share If You Dare this doodle. Just go ahead and admit it—you're plum nuts!!

Knock, Knock, Knockin' on Heaven's Door

It was a year ago, January 5th, that our family said goodbye to Jim.  Jim was my sister, Becky's, husband and a dear friend to me.  Becky asked me about creating an illustration of him as he entered heaven.  She had one idea for the doodle—I had another.  She let me go with my idea.

The death of a dear friend and loved one is not an easy subject to tackle as a cartoon—it is such a serious subject. Cartoons, obviously, tend to be more appropriate for humorous situations.  But how could I refuse my sister?

Once I got started the doodle went easier than I first thought it would.  This is not the first time that I've drawn Jim.  I created a birthday tribute to him back in September of '08.

Jim is a great guy, and after a 6.5 year battle with cancer he has received his reward.

I asked Becky to write a response so that I could add it to this post.  She was kind enough to send me this response.

Dear Rick,

My mind and my heart are overwhelmed tonight with missing Jim. I can hear him struggling for breath in my thoughts. I can see him trying to live even though his time here had come to an end. I pictured the Lord standing before him in those last seconds literally saying to him, "JIM! Come forth!"

When I asked you to draw me a picture to give to Jim's mom for Christmas, I envisioned you drawing a picture of him in a track suit, having made it to the finish line at the feet of Jesus. He would have looked exhausted but done with the race on earth. I saw him kneeling at Jesus' feet and the Lord pronouncing, "Well done good and faithful servant." But you had another idea and ultimately, I thought whatever was inspiring you would be what was best. I had no idea it would move me so profoundly.

When I first saw the picture, I was a well of tears. (I still am) You chose to picture Jim with all his hair back, with a anticipatory grin on his face and with an excitement in his demeanor. Even the angel was excited about what would take place. I really can't describe what that meant to me. I needed a picture of him that was whole again! He was so exhausted from his cancer battle when he died. It has been hard to get that picture out of my mind. The picture you drew has helped me with that.

I loved the picture so much I had you make several copies. I gave one each to the girls, one to Jim's brother and the original to Jim's folks. Everyone cried when they opened their picture. Dena told me that night that a couple weeks ago while she was at the mall, she had written a note to "Santa" and put it in a drop box. She told "Santa" she wanted to see her daddy for Christmas. She said her wish was granted with that picture.

Jim's mom called me Saturday and told me she was overwhelmed at seeing the picture. She said it is just what she needs to help her when she thinks of Jim in heaven.

Rick - you know I have always loved your artwork. It graces my walls throughout my house. But this is a masterpiece. Everyone who sees it is moved by the scene. It is my favorite Christmas gift. It was the hit and the tear-jerker of Christmas for us all.

I love you,

Becky

PS - And I know Jim is pleased to know the Egg-man made it to heaven with him.

I am so glad that everyone seemed to like the illustration.  I am honored to be asked to do it, and it is a point of pride that one of my creations brought so many tears of joy.  And, by the way, this isn't the first time that Eggy has made it to heaven.


Love ya!!

Love Sick T-Rex

I asked my daughter tonight what I should draw.  She said, "a dino -saur."  So, for my first post in the new year... (drum role please) ...here's a love sick t-rex.

I figure that this little doodle is one that you can use, especially with Valentine's Day coming up.  So Copy & Share If You Dare.

You know the rules, just please tell me when and where you post it.  I like to come and visit my bit of internet art.

Not a Good Sign

2010 is almost upon us.  What kind of year will it be?  There are a few indicators that things might not go so well.

So you probably should go ahead and Copy & Share If You Dare.

Happy New Year!!!

A Polar Adventure

Kathy & Dan are good friends. Kathy wanted an illustration of Dan's brother and wife. She said that they love to cruise. They have been on 2 to Alaska and are going on East coast up into Canada.

The whole Alaska idea appealed to me. I wanted to include the Northern Lights—the Aurora Borealis for you polar experts.  Thus, the setting at night.

(Here's a trivia question for you: Is there such a thing as Southern Lights, and if so, what are they called? Google it.)

Just a note about the above photo. I've include Dan and Kathy's daughter, Dani, making the face because, well, she deserves it. Believe me, she does.  She laughed at me one time when a chair broke out from under me.

This was a fun doodle for me.  I haven't heard the response yet.  Kathy is a frequent visitor of my blog, so be sure to leave a comment.

HaHa and Her Zoo

This isn't the first time that Jodi requested a doodle from me.  I like having repeat customers.  That means they were really happy with the first creation. 

This time Jodi wanted an illustration of her mother for a Christmas gift.  About her mother she wrote...

"She lives alone with her pets, she LOVES them. Her sweet calico cat died 2 weeks ago. She had Callie for over 17 years. She also has a 3 legged boxer named Jeff. A boxer mix named Ginger. And 2 horses (one horse is over 30 years old). She keeps telling friends that she will meet Callie on the 'rainbow bridge.'"

"She has 2 daughters (me and my sister) and 5 grandchildren. I did not want pictures for all these people, just maybe their initials somewhere, like inside flowers or something? I am a "J" and so is my sister. Then the grand kids are C,K,C,K, and B."

So with photos in hand, I went to work on the caricature.  Drawing animals isn't too very hard for me.  I actually don't like drawing horses.  I've never seem to do very well.  The main thing when drawing pets is trying to be sure to get the right spots in the right places.  Jodi was kind enough to send me several good photos of the pets.  That makes my job a whole lot easier.

On Christmas day Jodi and family got to watch her mom open the gift while "Skyping" on the computer.  (If you haven't discovered Skype yet, it's terrific!)  She took photos of the computer screen while the unveiling was done.  This is a first for me.  "HaHa" is what the grandkids call her.  There's got to be a good story behind that one.

Jodi wrote, "THANK YOU!!!  We just watched her open it on the computer a few minutes ago. She was absolutely speechless (which is a rarity) and she cried!!! I took some pictures of the computer screen and I will send them. Thanks for helping me give her probably the best gift ever!!! I was the one who set up her face book account.  I just put this picture as her profile picture. She is getting some GREAT comments and she hasn't even been home to see them yet!"

"The best gift EVER!?!"  Now,  I like reading that!  Here are the photos that Jodi sent me...

Thanks Jodi.  Those photos are a precious part of my doodling unveiling collection.  They are definitely  a classic.  Give your mother my greetings.  I was so happy to be a part of making her Christmas merrier.

Some day we'll all sit virtually in each other's living rooms while we open our presents.  I'm not sure that I want to be around when that happens. 

Update:  I received an e-mail from"HaHa" regarding the caricature.  It was so nice I wanted to include it with this post...

Hi Rick, I am Haha, Jodi Smith’s mother. Talk about a surprise!!. It was wonderful to see your interpretation of the pictures Jodi sent you for my present. The story behind my  name, Haha, comes from the Jodi’s oldest son, Collin. You know- the whatever the first  grandchild calls you will last thru all of them.  As I am told, I used to say hahahahaha to him all the time to get him to smile. I am a loud-mouth yankee, so  I guess it mad an impression on him.  As far as the” rainbow bridge”, there is a poem about  beloved pets when they die. Please look it up, and you will know why I cried  when I saw her, which I did not at first. I was so busy looking at each pet individually, and was so shocked at the whole idea of this masterpiece. My animals are very precious to me and bring me so much comfort. Jeffrey the 3 legged boxer has become a Therapy dog and visits nursing homes, children’s homes, special ed. Classes. Etc.  After Callie died, I said if there was a special kity that needed me, I would probably adopt it. Sure enough, there was Journie, with just one eye- another calico. How could I pass on her??. She is a joy, fun and helps ease the vacant spot Callie left after 17 years.  My daughters and sons-in law are  wonderful to me. My grandchildren are the most beautiful  you have ever seen. Talk about  love. They give so much and make life complete. You picture has drawn acclaim on my facebook site from other countries as well as here.  Know, that your artistry has brought me much joy and smiles.

Warmly, Rose

Thank you Rose.  You are most welcomed.

Christmas Rewind

I don't like to repost my doodles, but I updated this one from last year—to make it fit better closer to Christmas.  I thought that perhaps some of you bloggers would share in the sentiment that is expressed in this drawing.  If you're not ready by now it's almost too late.  Copy & Share If You Dare. Merry Christmas to all.

You're On the Naughty List

I drew this little ditty while waisting some time watching some television.  It's been a while since I've done any nonsense doodling.  It felt good—like old times.

Have you been naughty?  Then please Copy & Share If You Dare.  (Remember that means you have to tell me if you're posting it on your blog.  I want to come over and visit.)

Ann's Flower Power

Ann is another good friend.  She is one of those kind of people that is so nice it makes you wonder what she's been up to.  This is a photo of her stating next to my wife, Marylynn.  (They both are vertically challenged) 

Ann is the choir director at our church, plus she plays the guitar and sings.  That makes her a triple threat, I guess.

When I first thought about doodling her I was thinking about drawing her as the flying, singing nun.  But, after further thinking, I decided to turn Ann into a flower child tiptoeing through the tulips.

I gave Ann her illustration at the same get-together where I presented Gene (previous post) with his.  In Ann's own words she said that it will be something that she treasures.  I told her that I wanted to see it over the mantel of her fireplace.  Then she told me she didn't have a fireplace.  So, then I told her to hang it in her bathroom.  She just laughed.  (I think that means no.)

I have a "Copy & and Share" Christmas doodle coming next—just in time for the holiday.  So stay "tooned."

Gene, Gene-Ridin' an American Machine

I've been working on Christ- mas gifts lately.  So some of my work I can't post until after Christmas.  But here's one of two gifts that I gave out just this evening.

Gene is a good friend and one of my riding buddies.  I wanted to create something special for him.  He rides a big 'o Harley but recently he told me that he's going to be building a chopper out of a defunct motorcycle that he purchased.  So, when I was thinking about creating a doodle for him I thought, "Why not put him on the most famous chopper in history—the Captain America bike." The motorcycle made famous in the movie Easy Rider.  I think it's a very boring movie, but it has it's moments.  Like this scene, for example.

We're looking for our family being together for Christ- mas. Our youngest comes home for her first Christmas while away at college this week.  We're praying for clear-dry roads on Friday as she makes the 12 hour trip back from Idaho.  Gene opened his gift during a party we were hosting.  I think that it was well received by all the guest, and Gene seemed happy with his doodle.

Daughter number two comes home on the 23rd, and our number one girl with son-in-law number one coming in the day after Christ- mas.  So, at some point we will get to all be together again.  I am really looking forward to having them all together tucked away in their beds at night.  It's a father thing.

A Sundry of Choas

This is a photo of the daughter of some good friends, Steve and Denise. Some months ago I finished this caricature that she is holding. I thought that I had kept of copy of the illustration, but I can't seem to find it in my growing library of faces that I've collected over the years. So, the photo that Steve sent me of their lovely daughter holding the illustration will have to do, until such time that I am able to find my copy.

The illustration portrays their daughter sitting at her desk while a sundry of chaos ensues around her. (I like that last sentence. I think that it makes me sound all egucated.) Maybe you can see some details if you zoom in on the photo. But, otherwise, you'll just have to take my word that the doodle ain't half bad.

Yarn Candi

I know. I know. I've been MIA far too long. It's strange that it's so hard to get back into the rhythm of blogging when you get out of the habit. But I've had so many people tell me that they miss seeing new updates here that I just can't let it go too long.

Christmas is upon us and while I don't have as many request for caricatures as I have in the last two years I still have some pieces that I am working on.

This particular illustration is not a Christmas order, but one that Candi ordered for her blog several months back. She is a return customer. I created a doodle of her pilot husband back in May. I guess she liked it well enough to order one of herself.

This illustra- tion is actually a second attempt by me of her. I created one that I wasn't totally happy with, but then realized that I spelled her name with a "y" instead of an "i" on the end of Candi. That frustrated me so much that I put the project aside and then didn't get back to it until I had finished by little six week vacation. Candi was very patient with me and I am very appreciative about that.

I like the way this one turned out a whole lot more then the other one. She said that she liked it too, and that's what matters the most. Candi is going to be posting it as a header on her blog sometime in the future. It's not up there yet, so I guess you'll have to keep checking back until she gets it up. In the meantime you can order some yard candi from her.

In other news, I continue to add pages to my children picture book project. That's another one of the reasons I haven't been posting as much. I don't want to post any of that work here. Maybe someday you'll be able to order a copy of it off my blog. Just stay "tooned."

Nix It On the Pig Slop

Here's a little doodle that I've had tucked away on my pad of paper. I've been slowly working on it bit by bit. I finished it two nights ago while Marla was studying for her test.

As usual I started with a face which turned into the whole angry farmer. While I draw these sketches I'm generally running captions through my head. I was trying to figure out what this angry farmer wanted to say. Then it hit me! Pig slop! He was angry about pig slop.

I think that this doodle has many applications. Maybe it applies to your school cafeteria. It very well could have political undertones. (Or overtones. I don't know) If you're like me you've felt like someone has been feeding you a boat load of pig slop of late. This doodle applies no matter which side of the isle you're on—mine, or the wrong one. (insert smilie face here)

So, Copy & Share If You Dare.

We're heading across Wyoming today and plan to make South Dakota tonight. Say a pray for us and no throwing pig slop around while we're away.

Elk in the Reeds

Sorry, but my mind has been on so many other things lately that I've given myself very little time for doodling. We're getting ready to take our youngest to college in a week. That's been on my mind a lot. Maybe there will be some "empty nest" illustrations in the making very soon. Sometime after that my wife and I are going to take an extended vacation. I plan to get some serious work done on the book I want to illustrate while we are traveling.

In the mean time, I offer this recent shot of an elk I took near Reedsport, OR. There is a viewing spot there on the highway going east out of town where a herd of them hang out. That day they we especially close the the road side. Copy & Share If You Dare.