I really appreciate my clients. They make me feel so appreciated -

This lovely woman made the effort to photograph the Studio Caricature I had mailed to her. The photo came out a little blurry, but I was still so happy to get it. They seem more 'alive' to me, somehow. Makes me feel like I'm really part of their joy with the little part I can play. My client emailed me this photo and wrote "He luved it. Thanx Alison!"

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!)

Today's drive - it was the easiest ever. There was practically no traffic on the roads (Very unusual for going over the Throggs Neck Bridge). And the roads had been cleared perfectly.

Even shoveling my driveway was fine. It wasn't so cold. It was nice out there - felt like I was communing with the earth, gently scratching it's skin.

I worked at a First Night Celebration in a Library - It was nice and comfortable - Lighting and sound were plenty to my liking, I was interviewed on the Radio there (New Rochelle), and I felt very much appreciated by the polite guests.

Just goes to show once again that we don't have to be afraid to do what we've decided to do. I usually say that I learn how to live by creating the Drawings, but today I even learned how to live by doing the Work part of my job. We don't have to be Afraid! If we wouldn't have recognized it as a danger when we were babies, it's not a real danger. Fears can disappear like floating dust-clouds.

Most of the things that hold Adults back are completely unnecessary fears that dissipate as soon as we refuse to let them have any power over us, as soon as we refuse to let them affect us. Do what you think you should do to get what you want.

Best Wishes to us all in the New Year. I'm confident that I'll see a lot of growth in all areas of my Life.

This one I did standing up. With limited old dried out markers. a Quick Cac.

Actually, I was just trying to quickly try out the new Walk-Around Drawing Board that I just designed - Always trying to perfect' my materials - make them as comfortable as possible. So I just grabbed any ol' markers that were laying around here.

I am much more comfortable - yes, things just keep getting better and better. But I still don't fuss carefully over a picture done standing. It just doesn't feel the same as drawing while sitting. Just like neither of those approaches feel the same as drawing vertically on an easel. Walk-around is fine for Party Entertainment. Even though I still prefer sitting for the Artwork. Parties each have their own personality, and the Entertainer has to do what the Party needs.

It's all good.