The Li'l Baby Watcher for LICENSING

Life Imitates Art

Being an artist and designer, I created a whimsical children’s character named The Official Baby Watcher', a few years ago. The character is a fanciful little baby watchman, a guardian that watches over small children and babies. It was created for a friend’s child - because I wanted to give the new baby a unique and significant gift with a purpose. I thought – “If I could give any one thing to any child it would be their very own guardian that would watch over them forever.” From this thought the Li’l Baby Watcher ™ character was born.

 The original, whimsical design was a two-dimensional airbrush rendering and my idea of what a baby watchman would look like if he were real: a wholesome, physically fit and strong character. Overall he is a little peculiar, funny looking character with a large head with big eyes, big ears and short-short legs and he stands on two huge feet and clumsy looking boots.

The idea is that his big ears and eyes allow him to see and hear everything in the baby’s room. And his strong arms and barrel-chest and short legs and BIG feet, allow him to stand tirelessly and dutifully while he perform his sentinel duties - as he watches over the baby’s room hence his name -The Li’l Baby Watcher. He is a misfit of sorts, a cross between a funny looking clown and a dashing, li’l soldier but is neither. However, these peculiarities are what make him special and allow him to be who he is. Overall, he is a healthy, wholesome looking character by design.

A few months later, after creating the character, I sat down to write to describe him. This led to writing The Official Baby Watcher story which describes the character as a lonely and seemingly unimportant, insignificant misfit of sorts, a peculiar, disheveled character named Wob (rhymes with Bob). And even though he was in the baby’s room, he was not a toy that the baby could play with he sat up on a high shelf - seemingly without any purpose or reason. This made him feel lonely and all alone. But despite his peculiarities, he was a smart li’l guy and had feelings and he loved the baby in the story. His biggest wish was to be a part of the baby’s life someday.

Because of his peculiarities and lack of purpose he felt like he didn’t belong anywhere and goes through a time of emotional conflict, loneliness, fear and doubt. But, then a day comes when he has to overcome all that, and be strong, to save the baby from imminent danger and harm. Ultimately, with the help of his “Little Voice from Within” he goes through a magical transformation to prove his “great love” for the baby. The story ends happily as the family finally notice him and realize how special he is and designate him “The Official Baby Watcher.” In the end he gets placed close to the baby’s bed. He is now a dashing, debonair hero and happy little someone - no matter how peculiar!

NOW, about the “life imitating art” part, back when the story was written, a friend told me that the little character was me – implying that the character and I were one-and-the same. At the time, I didn’t see what she was trying to tell me.

Finally, after a few years, as I contemplate my age, position in life and find myself at a standstill career-wise - her observation of the parallels in the story between the character and me have become more obvious. Just like Wob’s funny features make him special and allow him to be what he is, albeit a misfit. I also feel like a misfit - because even though, I am a creative individual and exercise my talents in assorted ways, I feel it is these assorted talents that make me what I am and allowed me to created the character. But it also makes me feel l like I don’t belong in any-one category - which in turn makes me feel like - like a jack-of-assorted-talents and a master-of-none. And because I am not known in any particular circles, I feel insignificant and with-out-a-purpose.

Like Wob, in the story, right before he saves the baby from harm, I find myself apprehensive as I move toward the uncertainty of a new business venture and direction career-wise, I realize I have to be strong and face my fears, self doubts apprehensions to persevere and succeed, just like him.

And just like him, I respect and care for small children and have gone a step further to fulfill his ultimate wish and have made him a playable, plush toy that can be shared with babies and small children.

And, also like Wob, I long to be a part of my family and believe its success will provide the wherewithal to be able spend more time with my father, who is turning eighty-one, and eleven brothers and sisters and nephews nieces and great nephews and nieces of which, mostly live in Phoenix, Arizona; and to be more a part of their lives.

If and when you see the O.B.W. character on the market and being a success you will know that just like him - I have reached my life goal and will be a little happy li’l someone then too…
####

Author: Ray Gatica
Ray@gaticaart.com
The Li’l Baby Watcher character and concept can be seen at www.thebabywatcher.net, where the story on which its based may also be read and downloaded.

LICENSABLE BABY CHARACTER MAY EASE SIBLING RIVALRY

BABY CHARACTER MAY EASE SIBLING RIVALRY

“Fanciful” Children’s Character has a “Real” Propose and Mission

Have you ever had a need to create something because you can't find anything like it in stores anywhere? It happened to artist, Ray Gatica, from Humble, Texas, who created the “The Official Baby Watcher (The OBW)”, an artistic, children’s character, born out of his imagination and a need for a meaningful baby gift for a friend’s newborn baby. The original gift was the character painted on a two-dimensional poster since then it has been presented in a soft plush doll that doubles as a decorative wall hanging.

"When I created the character, I wanted to give the baby a special, meaningful gift, something significant, and with a purpose. I thought the greatest thing I could a give a child would be their very own personal guardian to watch over them, forever," says Gatica. From this thought, The O.B.W. concept and character were born

The character, now a doll, is an extension of The Baby Watcher story in which the character magically transforms and over comes his fear and self-doubt to save the baby in the story, from imminent danger - to earn the title - The Li'l Baby Watcher (read story excerpt below). Click to go see the character and relevant story excerpt.

Families are invited to visit the character’s website to download a free copy of the story (with accompanying colorful illustrations) to share with small children.

“The OBW is more than just a character or a doll,” says Gatica, “He is a character with a purpose and mission because the story, on which the character is based, will inspire the family, especially children, to rally behind the character to watch over their smaller baby brother or sister. The artist, believes that The Official Baby Watcher story will inspire older siblings of babies and small children, and other family members to become extensions of the character - to help watch over the smaller siblings - to make it a better, safer place for small children. This thought, along with a couple of family-oriented products, storybook and t-shirts, based on the character and concept, are designed to elicit family participation - which will serve to help make his 'fanciful' mission a warm 'reality'.

The character is an extension to the story, written and illustrated by the artist, serves to introduce the character to the family. The story is non-mushy reading for ages 3 on up. In the story the character is described as a peculiar looking little misfit character named Wob. He has big eyes, big ears, and big nose and sturdy short-short legs with BIG funny feet. The idea is that - it is these peculiar features that allow him to be what he is, because, with his big eyes and ears he is able to see everything, and watch over the baby’s room. And, with his sturdy, short legs and funny big feet he is able to stand tirelessly and dutifully as he performs his watchman-duty -hence the name - The Official Baby Watcher. The above description has been carried over to the plush doll/wallhanging, and assorted products.

The Official Baby Watcher doll is the primary item. Through it, the character presents itself as fanciful, little baby watchman and a li’l silent sentinel that watches over babies and small children, lovingly and dutifully. The idea is that when the baby is not playing with the doll, it is designed to hang on the wall where it performs its fanciful duty. When a family member shares an OBW doll with a baby or small family member, or of a friend's - it is an extension of their love and caring for the child; “a gift from the heart”. The dolls are available in assorted face and hair color combinations so that they can be shared with babies and small children of all nationalities.

The doll package includes an OBW story card, a shorter version of the illustrated storybook and serves to introduce the character to the family and a placard, which gets filled-in with the baby’s name and birth-date and then tacked on the wall, next to the doll/wall hanging. This serves to personalize the doll and form a loving bond between the character and his or her baby watchman. The dolls are available in assorted face and hair color combinations to reflect our multicultural society and, are equally suitable for baby boys and girls. “I expect they will be passed on through generations to become lovable keepsakes,” says Gatica.

Visit the website www.thelilbabywatchr.net and read ‘A few words by the artist”

Conclusively, I believe the OBW can be used as a small tool in minimizing sibling rivalry,” says Gatica. I expect a discerning public, who expect more from a children's character, will support the character and help in spreading his mission world-wide. It is not often that you can say a children’s character has a defining purpose and mission, much less redeeming, social value.

Artistic, Licensable Baby Charcater

Life Imitates Art

Being an artist and designer, I created a whimsical children’s character named The Official Baby Watcher', a few years ago. The character is a fanciful little baby watchman, a guardian that watches over small children and babies. It was created for a friend’s child - because I wanted to give the new baby a unique and significant gift with a purpose. I thought – “If I could give any one thing to any child it would be their very own guardian that would watch over them forever.” From this thought the Li’l Baby Watcher ™ character was born.

* The original, whimsical design was a two-dimensional airbrush rendering and my idea of what a baby watchman would look like if he were real: a wholesome, physically fit and strong character. Overall he is a little peculiar, funny looking character with a large head with big eyes, big ears and short-short legs and he stands on two huge feet and clumsy looking boots.

The idea is that his big ears and eyes allow him to see and hear everything in the baby’s room. And his strong arms and barrel-chest and short legs and BIG feet, allow him to stand tirelessly and dutifully while he perform his sentinel duties - as he watches over the baby’s room hence his name -The Li’l Baby Watcher. He is a misfit of sorts, a cross between a funny looking clown and a dashing, li’l soldier but is neither. However, these peculiarities are what make him special and allow him to be who he is. Overall, he is a healthy, wholesome looking character by design.

A few months later, after creating the character, I sat down to write to describe him. This led to writing The Official Baby Watcher story which describes the character as a lonely and seemingly unimportant, insignificant misfit of sorts, a peculiar, disheveled character named Wob (rhymes with Bob). And even though he was in the baby’s room, he was not a toy that the baby could play with he sat up on a high shelf - seemingly without any purpose or reason. This made him feel lonely and all alone. But despite his peculiarities, he was a smart li’l guy and had feelings and he loved the baby in the story. His biggest wish was to be a part of the baby’s life someday.

Because of his peculiarities and lack of purpose he felt like he didn’t belong anywhere and goes through a time of emotional conflict, loneliness, fear and doubt. But, then a day comes when he has to overcome all that, and be strong, to save the baby from imminent danger and harm. Ultimately, with the help of his “Little Voice from Within” he goes through a magical transformation to prove his “great love” for the baby. The story ends happily as the family finally notice him and realize how special he is and designate him “The Official Baby Watcher.” In the end he gets placed close to the baby’s bed. He is now a dashing, debonair hero and happy little someone - no matter how peculiar!

NOW, about the “life imitating art” part, back when the story was written, a friend told me that the little character was me – implying that the character and I were one-and-the same. At the time, I didn’t see what she was trying to tell me.

Finally, after a few years, as I contemplate my age, position in life and find myself at a standstill career-wise - her observation of the parallels in the story between the character and me have become more obvious. Just like Wob’s funny features make him special and allow him to be what he is, albeit a misfit. I also feel like a misfit - because even though, I am a creative individual and exercise my talents in assorted ways, I feel it is these assorted talents that make me what I am and allowed me to created the character. But it also makes me feel l like I don’t belong in any-one category - which in turn makes me feel like - like a jack-of-assorted-talents and a master-of-none. And because I am not known in any particular circles, I feel insignificant and with-out-a-purpose.

Like Wob, in the story, right before he saves the baby from harm, I find myself apprehensive as I move toward the uncertainty of a new business venture and direction career-wise, I realize I have to be strong and face my fears, self doubts apprehensions to persevere and succeed, just like him.

And just like him, I respect and care for small children and have gone a step further to fulfill his ultimate wish and have made him a playable, plush toy that can be shared with babies and small children.

And, also like Wob, I long to be a part of my family and believe its success will provide the wherewithal to be able spend more time with my father, who is turning eighty-one, and eleven brothers and sisters and nephews nieces and great nephews and nieces of which, mostly live in Phoenix, Arizona; and to be more a part of their lives.

If and when you see the O.B.W. character on the market and being a success you will know that just like him - I have reached my life goal and will be a little happy li’l someone then too…
####

Author: Ray Gatica
Ray@gaticaart.com
The Li’l Baby Watcher character and concept can be seen at www.thebabywatcher.net, where the story on which its based may also be read and downloaded.