Working in the industry, you can imagine that I go to a lot of Parties. Including a lot of Surprise Parties. But this one was a First. I was amazed. THE GUEST OF HONOR WAS IN THE HOUSE WHEN THE GUESTS AND I ARRIVED. HE WAS UPSTAIRS SLEEPING - BECAUSE HE HAD WORKED A LONG DAY. That simple. No need to take him out while we set up. Nothing like that. I think his kids had told him to come downstairs, or something like that. He just walked down the stairs of his own house and was surprised to see a houseful of Guests and Party Set-Up. I never saw anything like it.

It was a fun night. I was set up real comfortably in the Living Room. Plenty of Light. Such wonderful, happy people.....

Here are photos of some of the Caricatures that I drew:

I've arrived. First, fulfilling my childhood dream of making Coloring Books. Then, working for the Agent that seemed unattainable the first time I asked a Disney-Park Artist how she got her position. And now - Here's a picture with an interesting story. I was drawing a Caricature. Sam Viviano, an editor of

MAD MAGAZINE!

walked by - He stopped in his tracks - "I like that", he said. My heart aflutter - this time I remembered to, as silly as it is, but I swallowed my arrogance and asked him to write that onto my picture.

He did that. I, happily unfocused, then started Coloring the picture that he had just signed. Who would've thought I would have ruined it Then? But, distracted, excited, I totally Wrecked the picture that actually Had his approval written on it. An excellent picture when he saw it (line-work), I don't believe he would have wanted his approval on the finished picture after I messed it up with the Colors. Yeow - what a weird situation:

Well, I went on and redrew the guy. What could I do?:

Aw, Sweetie - This is obviously not You. Even my interest has gotten so far from the original girl as I draw alone in my studio in the middle of the night. I was just inspired to draw another picture because of my previous Picture - not because of the person who was the original subject.

I looked at my post here from January 3, 2010, and I was intrigued to see what I could do if I curved that nose all the way up - to match the nose-tip with the eyes. Just for Fun.

I like the Picture.

It's just for Fun. I hope people understand that they are not their picture. Actually, people look pretty much the same as each other - eyes in the middle of the head - deviating ever so slightly from Basic Proportions that are taught in any Portrait Class. Caricature Artists are playing with Pictures - drawing Shapes, not drawing Noses.

The girl that was the original inspiration for this picture was as beautiful (or as funny-looking, depending on your point of view) as any other human being. Remember - If you're going to laugh at anyone else, remember that You're one of us too. I hope that my Caricatures will help people to loosen up - help them not to take themselves so seriously - help them to relax about what they look like. It's Okay, people. It's not possible to have a face that doesn't have two holes in the middle of it (a nose) - and that's a funny design. (Don't get me started on Ears!)

Here are some more pictures from the event that I started showing here on December 31, 2009. I draw them so quickly at events - give them away of course. I love when I get a chance to go through my photos - to see what I've drawn. Yeah - That's goooooood.