Sometimes a doodle just pops into my mind after hearing/reading a conversation or thinking about a certain thing for a while, plus lots of coffee (LOTS). The above doodle is an example of just that, I was thinking about a tweet chum of mine leaving Liverpool and her twitter avatar happens to be a dragon. Alison Gow is her name and editing is her is game,she is off back to her country of birth, which is Wales. I have been tweet chums with her for ages now. I think she was Grand Poo bah of Liverpool in the tweet stats and that is why I originally began to follow her (no idea really). She is fountain of social media knowledge, with a journalistic twist, as seen in her blog Headline and Deadlines. Alison is also a super nice person and said many a nice thing about the mumborg, which I wont ever forget. I was so pleased to get the chance to meet Alison and hand over the doodle in person. Hopefully she will back soon, then I can doodle a 'Return to Liverpool' piece, with a happy dragon.
The 'Leaving Liverpool' doodle also introduces a new character.......... Baa Wid
Baa Wid was conjured up by the mumborg, after she rather quickly and callously cast aside my original idea of 'Widdy the Wool'. In hindsight 'Widdy' leads to Anne Widdecombe on google, so sod that for a monkey's badger, 'Baa Wid' it is. Why a sheep in the first place? It is an homage of sorts, to my heritage,but it mainly pokes fun at the nickname people from round these parts are given. That being said, I could have easily drawn a three headed swamp donkey mutant, if I followed that thinking.. /raises eyebrow at certain people.
Who knows where Baa Wid will go next? Who else will crop up? Baa Lee, Ma Baa Wid, Da Baa Wid, GranBaa Wid and GranBaaBaa Wid, are all possibilities.. Yes I am quite mad, ewe can believe that.
Help Me:
I would like/love some suggestions, especially from my Liverpoolish chums, about what buildings/places/landmarks, you think are doodle worthy in Liverpool? Where do you think Baa Wid would like to visit? I would, in fact, love input from anyone that has visited Liverpool or wanted to visit. Imagine, if you will, an illustrated guide to Liverpool, from an out of town sheep's perspective ( In the style of above Liverpool waterfrontish dragon doodle). Much obliged for your input as always (preemptive thanks, as I *know* you leave some great suggestions).
Coming soon: What do you get if you cross a unicorn/troll/dragon/castle/boat/moon/naked/clothes doodle?
Also check out my wiffling on Twitter, Naked Ladies on Self Exam Doodles with DOODLE GIVE-AWAYS on it's FB PAGE and favourite musical listening on Other Bits and Pieces.
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I know zip, zero, and zilch when it comes to Liverpool other than the thing that all we Americans know - it's where the Beatles originated. So, how about that night club where the Fab Four got their start? Isn't that still somewhere in Liverpool? I'm grasping at bales of hay here so if I'm totally off, please forgive me!
ReplyDeleteAnd so now we know where you get your creative bent - it's from the Mumborg herself! Excellent! By the by, if you get tired of doodling Baa Wid you can always start doodling the adventures of the Mumborg - I bet she could really get up to some hijinks if you let her!
Loving the phrase Tweet Chum. Sad to see Alison leave Liverpool but thanks to the wonders of Twitter will she ever really be gone?
ReplyDeleteBrilliant character in the shape of Baa Wid. I can definitely see a woolyback adventure in the shape of a pub crawl down Matthew Street, getting progressively worse for wear until they end up in Flannigans, drinking Guinness & singing Irish ditties.
Thinking of significant Liverpool landmarks. How about the eagle above the Sony Centre opposite John Lewis. The building is the site of the former Eagle Pub and also the site of the first US Consulate in Liverpool (and first outside America I think), towards the end of the 18th century.
ReplyDeleteThe eagle was restored a few years ago and is said to come from an American ship.
Quite a nice object linking America and Liverpool
Aw, Claire, I can honestly say you are - and I suspect always will be - one of the coolest, most honest and kind-hearted people I know. My dragon doodle is dear to me indeed.
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to Liverpool landmarks for Baa Wid, perhaps she would enjoy meeting the Dockers Carthorse - http://www.scottiepress.org/sr2003/carters.htm - as he looks a kindly soul :)
how about making a doodle of the Baa-Wid, cut it out and send it to your friend and see where Baa ends up?
ReplyDeleteIt could be a collaborative project/doodle thing and maybe a children's book?
I love how you named the ship after your friend.
I love your dragon doodle, it's just gorgeous. I especially love the ship and buildings - not easy to draw!
ReplyDeleteClaire, I sniff a children's book here in the making: The Dragon That Left Liverpool. I've often thought that'd be a great direction for you to go. With your humor, quirky sense of life and language, and imagination I think you'd make a great children's book illustrator and author.
ReplyDeleteNot at all making light of Alison and her journey back to Wales, but your doodle begs the question:
ReplyDelete"What would a dragon carry in a bindle?"
And, here's my answer.
1) Playing Cards
2) Egg Muffin or equivalent breakfast sandwich
3) A farm animal of some kind
4) Legos.
@Linda : I like that you zip,zero and zilch about Liverpool,because it gives me more scope with the doodles. I like the idea of creating doodles that some will recognise,
ReplyDeletewhilst other will be interested in the story behind it (hopefully). As I am not a Fab Four fan I have been reluctant to go down this doodle route, but it is beginning to seem daft not to. You have definitely given me some food for thought and yes the mumborg does seem to think that she is to blame for my doodle creativity, but I am not sure. The fame has already gotten to her head and I am afraid more doodles will only encourage the beast!
@adebond: Hey tweet chum! Well it does apply to yourself. True about Alison, she will always be about floating in the tweet aether, which sound a bit creepy, now that I type it, haha.
I am pleased that you like Baa Wid! At first I was unsure whether people would get it or like her, but she is doing well so far. Love the pub crawl idea! Maybe she can meet some drunk navy dudes?
@Graeme: Hey dude, thanks for popping in. I must say, I rather love your suggestion and have done a wee bit of digging already.
My blog has always had American readers and I have made some great American friends because of it. So something that connects the two
countries is indeed nice! Watch this space :)
@Alison: How dare you besmirch my character in such a way! Oh hang on, you were being nice, in fact far too nice for my liking (wipes away tear). When I started doing the doodle,I did wonder what you would think of me doing it, but your reaction to it has been SO worth it!
I LOVE the Dockers Carthorse idea, you and Graeme have both chosen things that I can make real characters out of, with some awesome
historical nuggets too, perfect!
@Lois: Yet again you come up with a gold nugget of a suggestion! I am taking the idea and giving it a twist, will be keep you update on
it.
Thanks for spotting that wee detail on the ship xx
@Kim: Hey dude! All the things you mentioned were new challenges to me, somehow it really flowed when I drew it. I was very nervous, when
it came to painting it, as I thought I would really fuck it up. So I am learning to really take my time when adding the layers of
watercolours and using the finest nibbed pens when it comes to inking. It is something that I hope to doodle more like :)
@NP: Ahh Mr NP, you always seem to be on the same wavelength as me,it is something that may possibly be in the works. Not a tangible thing,
yet, but definitely a thing :) :)
@Jeremy: Hey dude! First of all how the fudge did you know it was a bindle? I knew I wanted to draw a thing on a stick, but when it came
to it, I couldn't think what it was called. In the end I had to twitter request 'What's another name for a napsack thing'.
Hmmm I really like your bindle suggestions, maybe I should ask Alison,what she would put in a bindle :)
Claire, you're one in a a very special million! I'm in the same boat as Linda - I know nothing of modern-day Liverpool. And much of what I know comes from trashy period romance novels! Whatever you come up with will be fabulous, of that I am assured!
ReplyDelete~~~Blessings~~~
@Gracie, Aww thanks!! Hmm I will have to look for something trashy period romance novel worthy, maybe an epic maritime love tale.
ReplyDelete:) :)
I love the dragon, just wish there were no tears. keep more stories coming! :)
ReplyDelete