Crocodile: A Free Association by Chipka
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No AI - This artwork was created entirely by hand or with traditional digital tools.
Description
I cannot remember when or where I took this photo, but I suspect that Corey and Kate (and brunch) were involved. I also suspect it’s behind one of our usual haunts: one of those unpretentious, local-flavor restaurants specializing in no-frills comfort food—the kind of place in which the coffee mugs don’t always match, and where some of the silverware is dented and dinged. In short: my kind of place!
I do remember seeing this tar-encrusted bit of wood: an eye-level expanse of telephone-pole real estate. I remember thinking of crocodiles as I looked at the cracked tar, revealing patches of searing, bright wood beneath. I remember humming the theme song to the Soviet Era classic stop-motion productions of Cheburashka (the first of which was made in 1969, after the 1966 novel by Eduard Uspensky.) Cracked and crusty tar does not resemble Cheburashka himself, but the texture of the cracks and the near-flakes might conceivably recall the tough skin of a crocodile. That being said, I should also point out that Cheburashka’s best friend, a crocodile named Gena, isn’t one of those tough, crusty crocodiles best avoided by anyone or anything with a flavor. Instead, Gena is a refined, scrupulously polite, upright biped of a crocodile who…works at a local zoo as a crocadile.
This image has nothing to do with gainfully employed reptiles who walk around on their hind legs, doing good deeds with their cryptozooligical friends. (Cheburashka, a native of the Amazon Rainforest [and quite fond of oranges] is a creature known simply because his species [and other members of his kind] are completely unknown to science. This of course, explains why he walks around the stop-motion animated streets of an unnamed Russian city (Moscow?), building bird-houses, cleaning up rivers (by dumping the pollution onto the desks of factory bosses who refuse to stop dumping!) and generally performing all sorts of dangerously-cute humanitarian deeds.
As expected, I thought of Krokadil Gena, upon looking (again!) at this photo before posting it, and—as expected—I’m off to YouTube soon, to see what episodes of the stop-motion animate series will color the rest of my night.
Thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week.
Comments (19)
I must say, Chip, that you have a wonderfully odd form of literary architecture. A tar-encrusted bit of wood leads to a crocodile which leads to a Russian zoo which leads to a crusading reptile. One looks at your blueprints with disbelief but, in the end, comes away thinking, "Of course, it all fits together perfectly". I can see the crocodile skin here but it also reminds me of a tower wall with glowing windows lit by a fire from inside.
I keep on hoping Rapunzel will hang her hair out any minute!
It reminds me of a medieval castle. I was about to say old medieval castle, but then I realized I don't need to write old do I!
What a great tribue to this wonderful Krokodil Gena cardoon series, Chip!
Very interesting literary journey with photo evidence of note
What fabulous textures!! This is a lovely bit of wall, wherever you found it. It's fun to see that Nikolay knows the same cartoon character. :) I love the idea of a crocodile working as a crocodile at a zoo. That's a pretty sweet gig! It makes me wonder about other avenues of employment for such a creature. I suppose he could do anything he wanted to! :)
I love the composition and lines: wood and stone.
What you can get out of this image is amazing. I can see the same as wysiwig :-) Super shot :)
Superb capture my friend. God bless.
very cool picture, love the textures and color. I would love this as a background for some portraits for a band or something like that. I also enjoy those kind of restaurants myself. Thanks for sharing.
marvelous work!
fabulous picture
Cheburashka is a "he"? I found it very difficult to tell. Cute as a button whatever it is. Love the stories! As to the picture: I love the crinkly-burnt texture, but for some reason it reminds me of one of those Ester Island statue thingies. Great shot. I think this behind the Lincoln Restaurant?
A wonderful shot, Chip!
Never seen anything quite like this, Chip. A wonderful capture and write up. Hugs for all day. Di. xx
Wonderfully done !
A bright crocodile eye slowly opens in what appears to be an old rotted log...wonderful find and association, Chip!
Fantastic shot. Superb textures and color contrast.
An amazing find! This object has the possibilities to take your imagination in many ways. When one single frame of pixels can create so many interpretations of events around it, you have achieved a great abstract moment. I see a glow from within, a fire that has burned so long the glass at the window has been carbonised. The shutters are breaking away, allowing the existence of life within, to be seen. Who could live in such a world?