Never a dull moment. I usually draw the entire time that an event is booked for me to draw. But I just had two days in a row that worked differently. It's more of those NY Surprises. I love New York.

On Wednesday, I worked for NYU. A small 2-hour gig, I got there early, hung around Washington Square Park - It was a beautiful day. Plenty of time to set up at the event, drawings going well:

And ten minutes before the end of my shift,

RRRRrrrrrrppp. VVVVVvvrrrrppp. RRRrrrrp, RRRRrrrrpp.

Loud noises don't affect me. I live with a musician and I work at parties. I take the subway. I kept drawing.

What is that - the people around me asked. It's a Fire Drill - was the answer. A Fire. A Fire Drill. A Fire.

I'm busy! This Caricature is coming out Great ~ I kept drawing. The room started clearing out. Could this really be a fire? I wondered. But I don't see any fire. I finished the drawing quickly.

Okay - we'd better go. I was the last one to leave the room because I packed up my supplies. (If it is a fire, I'll need this stuff....)

The large beautiful building was cleared out. There I was with all those college students:

I called my agent when I got out there. We met in that park. Most unusual. But she told me to leave early.

That's why it was such a Surprise that the very next day, the Very next day - Thursday, who would think that I would be told to leave early again????

I was working at a Brooklyn Housing Project for the NYPD. Now, if you know anything about the NYPD, they do not tolerate anything questionable. They had made a block party, hired entertainers, set out food - - We could all have Fun, but be sure that you Mind Your Manners!

I was hired for 4 hours. It was another beautiful day. Shortly after I arrived, people started coming out. I was set up very comfortably. The guests chatted and watched me draw. The Police Officers were kind.

Here are some of the pictures that I drew:

Then, 50 minutes left of my shift, a young Mother sat down with her baby. As I drew the baby, a Police Officer handled the crowd for me. She let them know realistically how many more I'd be able to draw.

She counted the baby as one, and then she counted ten more people on the line (that's the number I suggested).

Baby drawing finished. Next.

"But what about me?" asked the Young Mother. "It's my turn."

"You had the baby drawn" said the Police Officer. "Now it's somebody else's turn."

The young woman was upset. She talked back and kicked over the chair as she got up.

"That's it," said the Police Officer. "There will be no more drawings for anyone."

Huh? What do I do? My job is to draw. "I don't mind," I said. "I can keep drawing."

"Oh no" said the Police Officer. "Pack up your things. "There will be no more Caricatures here today. "Violence will not be tolerated."

I should make note here that I'm freely rewording the gyst of what went on. I was at the incident, but I didn't write down everybody's exact words.

Uhm, what was I to do? I was paid to draw for four hours. I was there. I was ready and willing to do my job.

"How about if I gave a little Art Lesson instead," I offered.

"Okay. We'll set you up inside." said the Police Officer.

I found myself on the side of a large gym where people were running around, playing basketball and stuff. I had a group of kids in front of me - all different ages, no supplies, no lesson plan. My voice didn't carry easily....

Okay, Alison - what are you going to do now?

I handed out plain papers from my time-off drawing folder. I handed out my Lucky Pencils. With very little talking, the children followed me very well in a 'Draw Along'. I came up with the following picture:

I had had the group do a light predraw first - planning on making 2 cartoon heads sticking out of the car. I checked after each step, seeing that the kids had it going well. The way they did the predraw, Aha! A Creative idea popped into my head. I could just have two EYES popping out of the car. It was fun. Thinking on my feet like that.

I mentioned things like line quality - light and dark lines. Predraws. Shading. And I remembered one of favorite slogans that I glommed onto when as a teacher: "The first rule of teaching is to do no harm."

Gotta roll with the punches. Gotta bend with the wind. Gotta be flexible. And I'm glad that I've developed several skills over the years. That B.A. degree that I got in Teaching from Stony Brook University came in handy this day for sure.

Sometimes people ask to see samples of my handpainted mats. The photos taken at events don't really do justice to showing just how special the mats are. Each one is unique, and they really do look special. I make them myself, and I give them a lot of care.

So I focused in on Corners of some of the mats that I used today. That's a way that framers show their products:

Oh My Goodness. Yesterday I was looking forward to writing here about my super-exciting weekend. But now I'm already on to more more more super-exciting things for the rest of THIS week. Wow, this is Fun. Let me just see now if I can remember all the stuff that happened lately.

Saturday. Drawing at a Communion. A man in the chair. Some comments from the crowd about his 'position'. "And what position is that?" I asked. Turned out that I was drawing the chairman of the Republican Party of Queens. I recognized that they weren't just fooling around when I saw his professinal posture and confident movements - like he was accustomed to 'publicity'. I think his name is Chairman Phil Ragusa.

Sunday, not officially booked. Overcast. So tired because I got home after 2:00 a.m. from visiting Family. But I forced myself to get up early and get out into the world. It's just too easy to sleep through life and then wonder why life is boring. So I went to do my first Face-Painting in Central Park of the year.

But what happened? I had to cross Park Avenue to get the the Park. Police were at every street corner. And we absolutely were not allowed to cross the street. From either side. "Why? Why?" I asked. "Because the Pope will be riding along this way.

"Safety reasons" I was told.

"How long will it be?" I asked.

"As long as it take. Half-hour. Hour. I'm just to stay on my of the street until I'm told..."

Initially frustrated. Tired. When I suddenly realized that this was a momentous occasion. How many people would have Loved to be here - right where I was!!! I took out my camera-phone. "Don't let me miss it," I said.

"He's coming. He's coming."

Quick! Press the Camera-mode. Again. Options. Take Photo. I got a motorcycle cavalcade. Quick! Camera! Options. Take Photo. Press button. Pause............and.......Click! "Did I get it? Was that the Pope?" I asked the woman who was next to me.

"Yes." She was certain.

But I did not actually see him. Dagnabbit. We never know if we're making the right decision until afterwards. I thought I'd at least be able to see him in the photo, but, well, here it is:

Wonderful day continued. I felt special. I am part of the New York scene. I am a New York Artist. Loooonng day. I remembered the experience of being out there all day working the crowds. Handling the other Street Artists. And the Authorities. Gotta be tough to handle this. It's not for the timid-hearted.

Went out to dinner with a friend after my Park experience.

Here are some of the pictures I drew at Saturday's Communion:

I love this song - Time of Your Life by Green Day:

Another turning point; a fork stuck in the road.

Time grabs you by the wrist; directs you where to go.

So make the best of this test and don't ask why.

It's not a question but a lesson learned in time.

It's something unpredictablev but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life.

So take the photographs and still frames in your mind.

Hang it on a shelf In good health and good time.

Tattoos of memories and dead skin on trial.

For what it's worth, it was worth all the while.

It's something unpredictable but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life.

(instrumental)

It's something unpredictable but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life.

It's something unpredictable but in the end it's right. I hope you had the time of your life.

Now I'm focused on a very busy week. So many gigs, I'll even have to cut out the exercise class that I enjoy. Because that day I will be drawing for NYU.

Then, Thursday, I'll be drawing the NYPD in Queens. Saturday, it's a Walkathon for the Westchester SPCA. From which I'll have to pack up fast to get back to Oceanside to draw at a Communion that same day. And Sunday - it's another Communion - right here in Wantagh (where I live)!

I'm having the time of my life ~ We all are ~

I just took photos off my phone. They were taken at 2 recent events.

One was at a Public Library. I've worked at the Baldwin Public Library 2 years in a row now - they have this special day set up for lots of fun events. I like when I'm already known - when people rush right over for their chance. I love my job.

The other was at a NYC Bat Mitzvah at the Citrus Restaurant. I was downstairs with about fifty 13-year-olds. They really had fun at this party. The dancing was so wild because it was so 'innocent' - if that's the word. Brings me back to a time.....

I am so lucky for these opportunities to interact with people of all ages.