Grand Opening

This past weekend was absolutely insane. Some of my nearest and dearest thought I was insane, too-- because from Friday evening's gala to Sunday afternoon's Orioles/Yankees game, I drew at five events...including a stretch of gigs that kept me awake for twenty-three hours. I LOVE MY JOB!

Saturday morning's event was the Grand Opening of a beautiful downtown-style shopping center. I was only one of many, many street entertainments.

There's my setup. I used my easel umbrella ( and sunscreen!) until the shade from the building arrived.


This little sweetheart ( below) couldn't stop smiling!!


The next two photos are a family:


And last but not least: more big smilers!


Update: The client posted feedback on Gigmasters (where I received this booking). Thanks!!! :-)
Emily was awesome. Professional, prompt, friendly and a huge hit at the grand opening.

Charity Fundraiser at Longwood Gardens

Last night, I had the very cool experience of seeing my digital Joe Biden caricature auctioned off, along with a pair of his cuff links, to benefit the American Lung Association (they went for $225!). Unfortunately, the VP was understandably too busy to sign his caricature---it had been emailed to him last week by the organizer. She told me that hopefully it still may happen for a future fundraiser. The gala evening was held at world-renowned horticultural gem, Longwood Gardens (which is very close to my home). I also drew during the cocktail hour, and met many interesting people! Here are a few glimpses of my night:

New medium/technique

My friend Marlo and I are serious art-supply-store shoppers. When I am in Philly, we make a habit of visiting the fabulous Dick Blick store there, which has ensnared us from our old haunt, Pearl's. Recently, she discovered an item that is a perfect addition to a live caricaturist's arsenal: panpastels. It's an improvement on the chalk-and-glove technique (mentioned a few posts ago) in that the pastels are in their own case, are low dust, and are applied swiftly with an applicator. I just ordered a set online and am now eagerly awaiting their arrival!!

Wedding Reception

Last night, my trusty easel and I were set up in the corner of a beautifully decorated hall for a candy-themed wedding reception. As you can see from my previous post, the bride's nickname is Candy, so everything from the colors to the music reflected that!










My thanks to the bride's mother for having me, and for organizing such a wonderful reception!

Digital wedding caricature commission

I completed this digital commission to be used as a sign-in at a candy-coated wedding!

1st Communion party

Yesterday afternoon, I was invited to draw caricatures at a young man's 1st Holy Communion party. Here is just one of the couple of dozen faces I drew!

It turned out that the family are true caricature fans...the dad had been drawn circa 1979 in Ocean City, Maryland by chalk-and-glove-technique-pioneer Irv Finifter (who has influenced many caricature artists that I know), and the son had been drawn last year at a Phillies game by my friend Bob Miele. Of course, I had to have a photo of their framed drawings:

Bob's is on the left, Irv's is on the right. Both are done using the lecturer's chalk for color, and one gloved finger to mix it into the paper. I used to use this technique myself, until I switched to Prismacolor Artstix after having seen them at a convention. You can get beautiful pastel effects with the chalks, and Bob is a virtuoso with them. I wish the photo wasn't so blurred, but it was hard to get a shot without using flash (to avoid the glare.)

It's great to see my art form as part of a family tradition, and one of the many reasons why guests are so thrilled to get a caricature at a party.

Update: My client graciously shared her own photos and some nice feedback! Thank you!

Emily is fantastic! She really captures the guest's personality in her drawings. I highly recommend her for any special occasion!

O's day game

Headed down to Charm City yesterday to draw at a kid-heavy Orioles day game. It was field-trip day for Baltimore elementary and middle-school students. However, of all the people I drew, none were school-age kids--all were babies, toddlers and some beer-imbibing adults!
And I forgot my camera's memory card again; I am beginning to think it's Rrrrick's fault--- because the last time I couldn't take good photos, I worked with him too. LOL
At least I had my cell-phone camera, even though its colors are wonky....(compare to my previous post---same paper, same markers and artstix)



The married couple opted for BW because they wanted the caricature to match the other black-and-white drawings and photos they had hanging in their home. I jokingly told them that was the only 'good' reason for not getting color!!
The two buddies did choose BW because it was cheaper, after finding out the price was per face, not per drawing! (They'd asked if I'd draw both of them for the price of one, to which I said, "Nahhhhh.")

College Spring Fling

Another warm, breezy spring day found me caricaturing outside. A local community college held a Spring Fling on its grounds-- not only for its own students, but the public was welcome as well if they bought a wristband. My caricatures and some very talented face-painters proved to be the most popular attractions, judging by our lines...





See what I mean about the face-painting? Every time I saw this girl, I had to smile myself!

60th birthday party

Here's the man of the moment with his framed birthday caricature. The sign-in mat was flat on the table to its right so guests could sign it easily.




(Above) This couple hail from Dallas, Texas. I told them to make sure to come and see me at the State Fair this year, and they said they would!

Thank you so much, Steph and Tom, for having me draw for your wonderful family! :-)

Digital birthday commission

This gentleman was treated to a 60th birthday caricature by my client (his wife), who made a very good art director! She had very helpful suggestions that made this piece come out as well as it did. He was very surprised and pleased today at his party!