Written by I’m not sure if I truly have something I consider a precious family keepsake. Nothing seems to come to mind. The first thing that popped into my head was a brass hotel bell in the shape of a turtle that still sits on my mother’s front table in her house in Texas. A rather silly thing, to be sure, but it’s a fond memory of my childhood. If you’re not familiar with such bells, they were originally on the service desks of various places and used to get the attention of people working the front lobby. Simply wind a mechanism on its belly and then press either the head or tail for an amazingly loud and shrill ring. I loved playing with this thing as it fed my joy of all things mechnical and I was continually amazed by what it could do without the need for batteries. Plus, it was in the shape of a turtle, which pretty much sealed the deal as I love all types of animals and reptiles.
These types of bells were also magical because they were bizarrely ornate. I’ve avoided ever attempting to sketch one because of this, but figured I would just grab 3 colors and go for it to see what happened. It’s not perfect, but it gives me the same thrill looking at it that I had when I was a kid. I just want to press the little turtle head and hear that wonderful and equally awful sound. Each time I visit my mom, I can’t pass it without doing the same. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I ever learned the origin of this object. Origins don’t really matter as much when you’re a kid. You’re just focused on the thing itself and fascinated by what you can discover about it. Or, at least, this is the type of kid I was and the same adult I grew up to be today.
It made me think about the real tools of an artist. Fascination and curiosity. No matter how many art supplies we have, without these other two important tools, it would make painting a rather difficult task. I sketch and draw simply because it let’s me take a moment to explore something more deeply and look at things in a new way. It’s the process I cherish and the thing I made is posted here and then uncermoniously folded back into a sketchbook. My art is simply a side effect of my fascination and curiosity. I’m not trying to make any certain style or statement for the world. I’m just stopping to take a moment to truly see something as though it’s the first time. Even something random that catches my fancy, like this little brass bell, shaped like a tiny turtle.
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About the Doodlewash
M. Graham Watercolors: Quinacridone Gold, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal.
You captured the brass perfectly. Love the turtle, one of my favorite critters, after elephants, otters and apes.
Thanks, Judy! 😃💕 Glad you liked this! And I think we have the same taste in critters! hehe
Charlie, you continue to dazzle!
awww thanks! 😃💕 That’s so sweet of you! 😊
those are some serious details on that turtle bell! Wow!!! 🙂
Thanks, Jodi! 😃💕 Don’t look too close though… they’re mostly scribbled in and are more of an illusion! hehe
Oh Puleeezzzze!!! 🙂
That brass is awesomely painted! I’ve never seen anything like this so it was very interesting to hear the history.
Thanks, Teri! 😃💕 Yeah… these things are so cool! I didn’t know the history until just this past year actually!
The sheen of the brass is perfectly rendered. Great job. I’m enjoying the tales behind your selection of subjects. I know hotel desk bells but have never seen a turtle one. That’s pretty cool. I can understand why you found it enchanting as a child. My Grandad had a dinner table gong that fascinated me. Your post made me remember that.
Thanks so much, Laura! 😃💕 Glad you liked this post! And cool! I dinner table gong sounds awesome!! hehe I want one!
Awesome! Love the detail on the shell!
Thanks so much, Linda!! 😃💕
Such a little charmer your mom’s turtle is. I can see how it dazzled little Charlie when he was a tot.
Well painted.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 Yeah… I love this thing! It fascinates me. Hehe
That is one smart bell, fascinating things for children( and kid adults) especially when they don’t look like the tradional shape, my nan had a lady as a bell…not as beautiful as yours, I think this is well painted, so many little pieces to this brass beauty ❤️
Thanks, Rebecca! 😃💕 Yeah… there were a TON of little pieces… hehe…. I almost ditched it and moved on to something else. Glad I made it through it though!
Wow, this looks gorgeous! Love how you captured that brass feel and its shinyness. Painting really changes the way we see the world. It kind of makes also the little things precious. Have a wonderful day! 🌞🌸
Thanks so much, Ann! 😃💕 And what a cool thing to say… I love that! Totally agree!
Gorgeous painting! The metallic reflections and intricate design so deftly painted make this treasured keepsake a real gem of a painting. I half expect to hear it ring…lol. Thank you for sharing.
Hehe… I wish it could ring!! Love the real thing! Glad you liked the doodlewash version, Haunani! Thanks! 😃💕
I love this, Charlie! Superb rendition it looks so real. One of your best. I remember these, but they weren’t a bell, just a fun toy! 👌
Awww thanks, Janina! 😃💕 Yeah… I never encountered one of these in an actual hotel. Totally fun toy though!
Your turtle sparkles! I could use one of these myself…(K)
Thanks, Kerfe! 😃💕 You should get one! I’ve actually looked on eBay before hoping to find a deal.
As always, you are so inspirational! Wonderful detail in the painting (scribbled or whatever, they are fantastic!) and wonderful words. I also like that you limit your palette – something I am working toward.
Thanks so much, Ellie! 😃💕 Glad you liked this one! Yeah… I really love a limited palette… it’s a fun challenge to see what colors you can force it to make! hehe
Ding dong! What a glorious little curio it is, expertly doodlewashed as always… sparkling with kooky charm! I want this turtle! (I wonder if they made a seal one?) The loud chime only sweeten the deal 😉 How I would have loved to drive my parents and siblings mad with this as a youngster… 🙂
Hehe! Thanks, Jacob! 😃 ohhhhh a seal would be amazing!! I’ve only ever seen them as turtles, but a seal would awesome! Hehe…must invent that!
Yes! Time to put that Da Vinci cap on 😉
Wow, Charlie, this is beautiful. The light on it is awesome, it looks so shiny and glittery. 🙂
Thanks, Annie!! 😃💕There was so much detail in pretty sure my eyes crossed trying to see it all. Hehe… Glad you liked it!
Oh Charlie! – ‘I’m just stopping to take a moment to truly see something as though it’s the first time’ – that’s exactly, exactly why I draw things – there’s no better way to do it and the pleasure it brings is something so many people have yet to discover (though I think you’re pretty much getting the message across!) Lovely drawing, lovely post.
Thanks so much!! 😃💕 Yeah, it’s the truly observing something that I love most. I always see things I never knew were there before and the experience is so magical!!
WOWZA! This is impressive, Charlie!! I don’t know how I missed this one! 😟 I like your attitude about daily doodlewashing. I’m finding I’m enjoying painting something in my art journal daily – like you to just try to capture the subject and truly SEE it. Thanks for inspiring me in your daily art! Your turtle is AMAZING!!! 😍💕🐢
Awww thanks, Jill!! 😃💕 I’m so glad you like this one! Bit of an obscure subject…hehe… But I love this thing! And yay to daily painting! It’s so rewarding! Even on the days it doesn’t quite turn out like we though! Hehe