Written by I had very little time today to doodlewash and post, so here’s a quick and loose little sketch of my favorite thing about my favorite park – turtles. We have a park here called Loose Park and in the center is a large pond with ducks and well, these guys. I love watching turtles sunbathing because it seems like they’re so totally into it. Stretched toward the sun, standing still as a statue, as if they were solar-powered and this is the only way they can possibly keep moving. Even the squawking ducks nearby don’t bother them and they never break their extreme concentration. Perhaps it’s simply because I’ve always lacked this kind of focus that I find it so intriguing, but they are definitely the reason I love this park most.
Today was insanely busy, so I’m running out of time to type anything. As ever, I’m just typing what pops into my head, but right now I’m just a bit exhausted. It’s days like this that make me think of these turtles, who can spend hours sitting still and thinking about whatever it is turtles think about. My mind pops from one thing to the next and I feel like I’m in constant motion, even when I’m sitting still. Perhaps I should try taking some turtle time to just relax and focus on simply being present. I say that because it sounds like the right thing, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I’d get terribly bored. I actually enjoy thinking of a million things at once because that’s where all of my best ideas come from.
But today, I’m truly tired, so maybe I do need to be a turtle for a little while. I mean, who knows, maybe they’re actually thinking of a million things at once too. I’m not sure anyone will ever know what goes on in a turtle’s head. While worshiping the sun like a statue, I bet the one towards the top that I now realize appears to be smiling, has just thought of something brilliant. Like a cure for a terrible disease or something that will fix the economy. Granted, that smile may fade when it realizes very few people who can help implement the plan actually speak turtle, but what a eureka moment that was! Sometimes just having a fabulous idea feels like a win. Particularly if you happen to be a sunbathing turtle on a rock.
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About the DoodlewashM. Graham Watercolors: Gamboge, Cobalt Teal, Burnt Sienna, and Ultramarine Blue. Lamy Safari Al Star pen with Platinum Carbon black ink and second pen with sepia ink in a 5″ x 8″ 140 lb. (300 gsm) Pentalic Aqua Journal. |
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I really like the loose pen strokes on your turtles. I haven’t noticed this before in your work. Nice. Sometimes working while you are tired frees you up. Although does not normally work for me.
Thanks Carmel! 😃💕 This was so fast that I wasn’t even sure what I was making! hehe… So glad you liked it! It’s definitely far looser than I usually go!
Loose is wonderful I think! take care of yourself, I know how it is to be running ragged, not fun at all. It is too early in the week to be tired, stay focused on Friday and the upcoming weekend. Peace…… 🙂
Thanks so much, Margaret! 😃💕 yeah… it was a super busy day… felt like I was rushing. Glad you liked my speedy turtles! hehe… and yay to a upcoming long weekend!!
Love this post! The turtles are fine — the writing: even better! Now I have a new concept to align with “turtle” —> not just “stick one’s head in the sand” but also: focus focus focus, in quiet and peace! Thank you!
awww thanks so much, KathyAnne! 😃💕 Glad you liked this post! A little turtle wisdom for your week! hehe
Great job on those turtles. M that’s the way I always see them, all piled up sunny themselves.
Yup, sounds like you definitely need so,e turtle time.
Thanks, Teri! 😃💕 It was fun to go a little loose, even though I liked my broccoli yesterday better…. hehe… I definitely need some turtle time!
Oh look at those little faces, all waiting for something…Raphael! Ninja turtle he he
hehe… yeah… they’re all ninja in their heads, even though they’re not moving at all! Lol
wow!! love these turtles… if this is how you paint when bone tired, wow!!!! love the water, love the turtles, love the rock! looser…… looks great too 🙂
Thanks Debi!! 😃💕 hehe… glad ya like me loose! This was a fun, if not frantic doodlewash to do!
you’re welcome 🙂
I love the looseness in this one!!! Geniusly done. I know what those days can feel like. Hope tomorrow’s better and you can relax this evening.
Thanks, Jodi! 😃💕 Things got super busy all of the sudden! It was fun to go a little loose and crazy though! hehe
Wonderful sketch Charlie, get some rest!
Thanks so much, Sharon!! 😃💕 hehe… working on the rest part… I’ve never been good at it! 😊
Turtle watching is always fun…though I get mesmerized by so many different animals…I could sit and watch nature for hours. So much wonderment there and you really caught it in this piece. I hope you get a chance to take some “turtle time” this week.
Totally agree… nature is so interesting… I find myself just sitting and staring forever at the littlest things! And thanks!! 😃💕 Here’s to a little turtle time soon!
Love everything about this one Charlie. Sometimes the less time we have the better we do. 🙂
Awww… thanks so much, Susan! 😃💕 I’m thrilled you liked this… I wasn’t sure about this one… it just moved by so fast! hehe
Also if you were really tired Charlie these turtles turned out really good! I love it!!! Well sometimes we all have to slow down and be turtles for a little… is part of “love yourself” 😉 <3
So true!! Thanks so much, Carolina! 😃💕
That happy-faced turtle is probably thinking how good fly would taste on toast.
Your painting is delightful, full of these happy critters who are never homeless.
Ever notice how much like E. T., the Extraterrestrial, a turtle looks? Remove his shell and, voila!, tis the little brown guy with the beating heart, trying to go home. And isn’t that what all of us are trying to do?
Yes!! E.T. is totally a turtle! Philippe thinks he’s terrifying and hated that movie! Lol Guess turtles look better in the shell to him. Trying to find home is truly what we spend our lives aspiring to I think! 😃💕
I could be a turtle sunbathing on a rock today!! 🐢 Love your turtle Doodlewash Charlie!! YOU ROCK!! 😍🎨👍💕
hehe… thanks, Jill! 😃💕 So ready for a turtle day soon!! Maybe not a rock though… I like things to be more comfortable and require my creature comforts! Lol
Nicely done Charlie. They look the same as the ones in Central Park in NYC.
Thanks so much, Wayne! 😃 Glad you liked this one!
You know Nina and I love turtles! You’ve caught them sunbathing perfectly. We can definitely learn how to stop multitasking from watching animals. (K)
Thanks so much, Kerfe! 😃💕 hehe… hoped I did them justice for you two! yeah… I think turtles have much to teach us.
This is wonderful and so adorable! As always, I tut in envy when I see you’re referring to things like this as speedy jobs. They are so bold and the shells are fabulous! How fun – I wish there were turtles around here. Maybe I could get some for the pond? 😉
I thought you were going to get a pond?!! Where on earth is the seal going to go and how on earth will the zonkey get his drink?? Get on it man!! Oh… and the turtles… definitely need them. Glad you liked the doodlewash!! 😃
Such wonderful turtles! Maybe that one is smiling because he realized that he inspired Charlie to be like a turtle. I am also going to spend the day wondering what turtle speech sounds like. Great post!!
hehe… thanks so much, Ellie! 😃💕 I’m so happy you enjoyed this post. I think we can I learn a ton from turtles!
cute turtles! Love the water! Nicely done friend!
Thanks so much, Snehal!! 😃💕 So glad you liked it!
You’re an artist after my own heart with this one! Turtles are my favorite animal! Especially sea turtles! I love the looseness in this. You have to sketch them quickly, because they may sunbathe for a while, but they slip back in the water pretty quickly, too! Great job. I love this one. 🙂
Yay!! So thrilled you enjoyed this one. Turtles are so awesomely cool aren’t they? This was fun to doodlewash. Glad you liked it, Patsy! 😃💕
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