Oh dear - I got the news today. Caricature Artist Sam Norkin passed away.

Oh dear - Now I really appreciate the times I spent with Sam. One time in particular, after we worked together at Sardi's - he took me on a 'tour' around the place - giving me details about each picture and the Artists of Yesteryear who had drawn them. It seemed so simple at the time. Like, just hanging out. Him talking about the Artists that he hung around with many years ago. Me feeling like he's making a bigger deal of it than it really was - because it probably wasn't much different than the way I know most of the Caricaturists that are on the scene these days - me not understanding how it feels when the Artists die....... I thought things were going to stay the same forever.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118040684?refCatId=13

Precious. Now those simple moments are so precious. Now I wish I could remember all the details, but most of what I remember is the feel of walking around Sardi's with Sam. And just his whole personality whenever we worked together. He was a real fully rounded person. To hang out with him was to really know his personality.

I ran into the gym just in time for today's appointment with my trainer. Not time to stop. Or so I thought.

A woman in the locker room stopped me - "Hi Alison. I read about you in Newsday today." Whoa, I stopped. "Yeah? The Kidsday article came out today?"

Joyce brought me the tearsheet. Happy Surprise.

The kids were great. The whole article concise and upbeat. And most of all - the Title. Great writing, kids!

btw, it's not unusual for Joyce to know what's going on in Newsday or any other publications. As a professional writer, she's interested in it all. If you need "The Right Words For Your Business", you might want to call her at (516)485-2152.

Oh - I just came across this photo. It shows a Caricature I drew while I was being interviewed for the Kidsday section of Newsday last month. I sure hope I remember to check the Newspaper already. I think they said my interview was going to come out around the beginning of June? I hope that's it:

BTW, I brought along some of my pictures to the Interview. You can see them in the background. It includes Studio Caricatures as well as Portraits that I've done in the past. You can even see my beautiful pastel portrait of my Grandmother. That's something a little different for this blog...

What a surprise ~ A girl called me last week - could I draw a Studio Caricature for her for Valentine's Day. She brought me the photos, delightful to work with, and I got to work.

When I was finished, I showed it to my friend. He recognized the girl 'out of the air'. Who would have been thinking of the girl who does the Traffic Reporting for Channel 12 ~ But yes - he was right.

The Caricature - adorable, just as she is. It looks like they could become a box of Chocolates: