I was hired to draw at a very special day at the US Open Tennis Event.

Quite exacting ~ I was required to draw on my Client's papers which already had a background all drawn on it by someone else. Okay. But boy was there a lot of writing on those backgrounds. This event had so many names:

US Open

Arthur Ashe Kid's Day

USTA Billie Jean National Tennis Center.......

A lot of protocol ~ credentials, dress-code, wear your id, how to travel re nowhere to park..... I felt like this event had more security than when I did the Artwork at events for the cast of Camp Rock or for Joey Adams of the New York Post or for the Nickelodean Halo Awards. Well..... maybe that's just the security that I saw ~ I'm sure there's a lot more going on at high profile events that I don't see.

But once I got in and started drawing, it just felt like me and a lot of well-behaved people. I felt glad to help mark their day. Here are photos of some of the Caricatures that I drew there on Arthur Ashe Kid's Day. Might look a little limited because I had to make drawings fit their predrawn papers, but it did work to give the people the keepsakes they enjoyed.

You can get a Free Caricature tomorrow evening at Macy's in the Smithhaven Mall. Macy's hired me to entice people to come and "Shop for a Cause".

I'm not exactly sure about what that is ~ but it looks like this is a very successful way of raising money for some big Charities including

The American Cancer Society

Canine Companions for Independence

St Vincent De Paul

A Better Shelter Inc

Contractors for Kids

Kappa Beta Gamma International Sorority

Long Island Search and Rescue

Options for Community Living Inc

Rotary Club of Smithtown Charity Fund

Turner Syndrome Foundation Inc

...........

Apparently it's open to the Public, and when you buy things, your money goes to support those Charities. But my Caricatures will be Free for you. Just come. Macy's. In the Smithhaven Mall.

Artist ~ Alison Gelbman optidust@gmail.com 516-579-4706

You can really See the Fun that this Party Activity brings by looking at the Responses that we get After the Guests see their Caricatures.

Sometimes they sit down all reserved and awaiting, but they're caught off guard with the Surprise of my Unique Caricatures.

I usually try to set up in such a way that people can see the drawings being created. People like to watch. They like to be in my Zone.

But I finally decided that that will not be my primary criteria for the Set Up if I am asked to draw in front of a bright Window. Because it is too difficult to see the faces that I am drawing if they are affected by Back Lighting.

At this particular Wedding Party, I was in that situation. In order for the guests to be Entertained by watching the drawing happen, I had set up with the easel facing the main room. Since I was told to set up near a big bright window, that meant that the people who were being drawn had no light on their faces. Even the good lights that I brought along could not compete with the brightly lit window. Their faces were just too difficult to see.

After struggling through a few pictures, I changed the set up so I could see the features my comfortably. I turned around so the easel was facing the Window. Made for a better Party Atmosphere This time. But I feel like the Clients were missing out on one part of the Entertainment which I could have given them if I was allowed to close the window curtains and plug in my lights instead.

I can only do what I am allowed to do.

Still..... it all works out. A good time was had by all.