Lonesome Turtles

Process Notes

There’s nothing like a good illustration prompt to get the imagination moving. The starting point for this piece was simply: “Turtle.” A friend of mine, Rick, shared the saying “a turtle is always home no matter where they are,” and that really stuck with me. That idea led me to envision these two traveling minstrels during the era of the Great Depression — creatures carrying their home and music with them through hard times.

I imagined them singing Willie Nelson's "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain" as they're warming themselves next to the fire, and the illustration itself inspired me so much that I ended up writing a song based on the story and personalities of these turtles.

These turtles are getting by with their songs, some beans, and a jug of something to lift their spirits on the road. I absolutely adore these two characters — their resilience, companionship, and quiet humor feel timeless.