Sponge-Bob-Square-Pants? Calypso? What else am I supposed to know about - Glamour Shoe manufacturers perhaps?

This sort of stuff comes up every once in a while for me as an Artist. But all I really know is how to make my Own art. I know about line quality, how different supplies respond, composition, proportions, perspective... things like that. I wonder if other professionals are expected to know extended subjects. Like, perhaps a dentist would have to know about fashion? Or or a plumber would have to know about sea-paintings which would be good to hang in a bathroom?

Anyway, I had a job coming up in which my client wanted me to include Color and Theme in each picture. Sponge-Bob-Square-Pants and Calypso Party. Well, I'm not allowed to actually draw Sponge-Bob-Square-Pants ~ Copyright issues. Sponge-Bob was created by Stephen Hillenburg. And I'm not sure what she means by Calypso ~ Hmmm.... castanets maybe? Is that it? Or oh, I think that's Flamingo, not Calypso. Wait, wait. I think Flamingo is a pink bird with a long neck. The castanets and ruffles are Flamenco. Right?

Well, here are my studies ~ I've been focused on this stuff all week:

This Party was Fun.

I don't encourage drawing more than one face on a page ~ because, of course, it takes at least two times as long to draw two people, three times as long to draw three people, etc. I still have to draw each face. AND I have to coordinate them together onto the page, comparing back and forth. I'm glad to do it, but I feel like it's better to keep the party moving. Next. Next. next.

Still, I like to draw them together. And people like to have their picture together. It's fun to watch how they relate to each other when they get their picture.

Oh look ~ a lovely client took the time to send me this note today:

Good afternoon Alison, sorry it's taken me a couple weeks to actually thank you for the WONDERFUL and AMAZING job you did at M----'s birthday party. Everyone LOVED IT! Glad 'her friend' booked, and also I think another friend of mine will be booking you also. You're totally awesome and I'll be booking you again for sure. Until then, take care and thanks' for making M----'s 1st birthday so MEMORABLE!

I felt happy, but I just wrote back a simple Thank You. Now, opening my email again, I wish I came up with this nifty response ~ because it could have made my client smile. I could have written:

What? It's been a couple of weeks already since M-----'s First Birthday? How old is she now?

Oh, I'm feeling tired. I wonder if my nifty idea will still seem witty in the morning. Either way, I will be feeling grateful for my gracious clients. I do what I can to uplift my few moments with them. It feels good to know that it's successful.

I have to draw what I see. I have to keep the Party moving, so I can't wait for the expression that looks like the guest is gorgeous and confident.

Here, for instance, this handsome young man kept looking around and biting his lower lip while I drew him. So there was no way for me to know what his lower lip looked like. I tried chatting with him, smiling at him, something to make him relax. This is what I could draw: