Fore the Love of Caricatures

I’ve played golf maybe three times in my life.

I’d probably play more a) if it wasn’t so expensive for equipment and club membership, b) I didn’t have to spend more money actually learning to develop the mechanics to properly use the golf club to begin with, and c) I didn't invariably end up in an ear, eyes, nose and throat clinic for all the cursing I’d be bellowing out every time I screwed up a shot.

Welcome to the Spring Links edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist from Caricatures by Joel.

Some interesting factoids about the game:

* Although the sport is generally regarded to have originated in 15^th Century Scotland, some historians trace its roots to the Roman Empire in the first century B.C., when participants in a game called “Paganica” used a bent stick to hit a small stuffed leather ball.  Others cite “Chuiwan,” a Chinese game played between the eighth and 14^th centuries.

* The Old Course at St. Andrews in Scotland, considered the holy shrine of the sport, dates to around 1574.

* It was at St. Andrews that the standard 18-hole course was created (replacing the 22-hole course!).

* Two Scotsmen, John Reid and Robert Lockhart, first demonstrated golf in the United States in 1888 by setting up a hole in an orchard. In that same year, America’s first golf club was established as the St. Andrews Golf Club, in Yonkers, NY.

* The countries with the most golf courses per capita, in order: Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, Canada, Wales, Unite States, Sweden and England. By far, the most golf courses are located in the U.S., at well over 15,000.

What “fact” eludes me is how many caricature artists have used golf as a subject.

Well, throughout this issue are seven from yours truly. None of these individuals is an actual professional golfer. But, as commissioned art from family or corporate members, they probably all wish they were.

(Well, the guy above is, at least, holding a golf ball...)

See you again the first Tuesday of next month for another chip shot from Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

Play Ball!

In 1839, some significant events took place in the art world.

* Robert Cornelius took a daguerrotype self-portrait, the earliest known existing photographic portrait of a human in America.

  * Paul Cezanne, French impressionist, was born.

  

* * John Butler Yeats, Irish painter, was born.

And in the tiny Upstate New York mountain village of Cooperstown, a young man named Abner Doubleday purportedly invented the game…and the word… "baseball," designing the diamond, indicating fielders' positions, and writing the rules.

Welcome to the April edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist from Caricatures by Joel.

It’s my annual salute to our National Pastime (where we conveniently ignore the strides made by the NFL as it, socially and economically, has supplanted MLB as the nation’s leading Sport; but I digress. And, I don’t care…)

We introduced this column through the lens of art, for that’s what we concentrate on, once a month. More specifically, we talk about…and display…caricatures.  

But Baseball is so woven into the fabric of this country’s being, that American artists – pretty much since 1839 – have chronicled the Game in their own particular fashion.

Some contemporary ones, caricaturists – and favorites of mine – are showcased here (and above -- "Charlie Brown," by Charles M. Schultz):

Derek Jeter, by Robert Smith

"Whiff!" by Mort Drucker

Minnesota Twins, by Tom Richmond

"Play at the Plate," by Jack Davis

Yours truly has had his turn at bat, too, in recent times:

Jordan Danks was the Charlotte Knights career hits leader; yours truly was commissioned by the Knights to create this as a gift to him and his family.

Michael Brent, old friend and artist extraordinaire...and longtime Yankees (and Mickey Mantle fan)

Pete Rose, right, as he agreed to speak at a local Charlotte networking function.

Benjamin Kweskin, which his Dad drew as a Sign-In Board for his Bar Mitzvah...

And that’s the game! Tune in the first Tuesday of next month as we step up to the plate for another swing at pop culture through caricature art…and Caricatures by Joel. 

Client Tell

Caricature artists are most often perceived as entertainers who ply their craft “live” at events, drawing customers at venues as varied as amusement parks, corporate events and wedding receptions.

While that’s a truism, it’s also just as likely that caricaturists are commissioned to do work for individuals as well as companies to gift a friend, family member or business associate.  After all, art is still art, no matter what “genre” it’s reflective of.  

But it doesn’t get any more personal or customized than through the ego gratifying form of portraiture…and a whimsical one at that.

Welcome to the first-month-of-Spring edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist, from Caricatures by Joel.

Here are several samples of commissioned art – clients who had me conceive and draw a caricature of a family member, client or colleague.

The one above is of a local jeweler who advertises frequently on  TV and in newspaper print ads. Friends of his surprised him on his birthday with his caricature.

The group, below, comprises a property management firm that was the marketing client of a friend of mine...who had me come up with this approach.

This couple was getting married, and the bride's mom wanted some fun artwork to double as both a "Save the Date" mailer prior to the event, and a Sign-in Board displayed at the reception...with a plug for the venue.

This time, here, the groom's mom listed all the elements she wanted displayed in this Sign-in Board -- notably her son having graduated from Firefighter training school.

Below s a Sign-In board for a Bat Mitzvah, depicting all her interests.

This Duke Energy piece was commissioned by them to honor their outgoing CEO, Jim Rogers, and depicts his immediate executive staff.

Harry Truman is one of several "Harrys" I was commissioned to further immortalize for the walls of Harry's Tavern & Grill in Charlotte.

Making a bride and groom Time magazine's Persons of The Year to grace this faux cover, used as a Sign-In Board at their reception.

This duffer is a client of an ad agency, who had me acknowledge his big birthday.

This young lady's mom contacted me to draw her as a memento of that major landmark in one's life -- high school graduation.

That's it for March. Tune in again the first Tuesday of next month for another client-directed foray into the realm of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

FAQ for a February

If you’re looking to hire yours truly for an event, surely there are questions you have about the whole caricaturing procedure.

Voila! Here are frequently asked questions and answers. 

(And don’t call me Shirley…)

Welcome to the February edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist from Caricatures by Joel.

How long does a caricature take?

Generally, a caricature drawing takes anywhere from 3-5 minutes per face (about 15 faces an hour). Which would mean two people would take twice that, and so on.

Do I draw everyone at an event?

It all depends on the number of guests…and the time that’s been allotted for me to draw.

Can I also draw from photos?

Yes, but I prefer not to draw from camera phone photos; they’re often not clear, too small, time out…and it’s generally not fair to those who are already there in person.  I will happily fill your request to draw from photos via a separate arrangement where it’s done from my studio.

Do I draw children as well as adults?

Of course! I draw kids at birthday parties, camp/school events, graduation parties, family reunions and, naturally, at weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, etc.

What size paper do I use for the caricatures?

I use 11” × 14” sized paper. It’s a good surface size for drawing, especially if there is more than one individual, and it’s a standard size for framing and photocopying.

Do the caricatures smudge, run or smear?

Not generally. It’s best to just leave the drawing as is, though an option would be to spray it with a “Fixative” to further assure that it indeed won’t smudge, run or smear.

Do I do anything to the caricature drawing when done?

I insert each final drawing in a clear plastic sleeve for protection and ease of portability.

Is there usually a sign-up sheet or number system for getting drawn?

Most events tend to be on a “first-come-first-serve” basis. A line is formed once people realize that I’m drawing. This is generally pretty fair and the more popular option for weddings. However, some event planners prefer to designate someone that would help organize and maintain the order of those in line by using a sign-up sheet or number system.

Do I do full-body, “themed” caricatures?

I have found that just drawing the head works best at a well-attended event. The line moves more quickly that way and doesn’t get bogged down because of elaborate scenarios per each person.

Do I work alone?                                                                                                  

Usually, yes.  But if an extraordinarily large crowd is anticipated – whether it’s a private function or corporate event – I can bring in other artists to join me…anywhere from one to six or more.

What about color?

I draw only black-and-white caricatures for live events; it’s the same reasoning as for the full-body, themed issue.

How many people can be drawn together in one picture?

It works best (both in terms of quality and quantity) to limit the caricature drawing to no more than four subjects. That’s because with each new person there is an extra consideration in terms of composing the drawing, getting them to fit on the page. The fastest caricatures would then have no more than 2 people in them.

What materials do I use?

Unlike most other caricaturists who use a Sharpie pen, I use a common utensil often found in the kitchen, garage or work shed – a China Marker, or grease pencil. I like the tone, depth and texture the pencil provides.

Do I overly “exaggerate” in my caricature interpretation?

While, stereotypically, caricature artists are seen as over-emphasizing facial effects in a gross manner, I apply a “gentler” touch to make the face just more whimsical looking.

Is it okay for guests to photocopy their caricature for use beyond the event?

Yes, guests can make unlimited copies for private use.

What do I need from event organizers to accommodate my needs?

I bring all art materials to create the caricatures.  A table, three chairs – one for me and two for couples – and enough lighting in the area to see my subjects are all that the venue needs to provide. However, if the latter items are not available, I can provide my own, including a portable lamp.

And that's basically it.

Remember, I can work from photos, too. But that's another FAQ for another time.

See you again the first Tuesday of next month for another inquisitive iteration of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

Notable Losses in 2016

As we celebrate the beginning of a New Year, we pause to look back at 2016 for the many notable names who passed on. The list is too numerous to post, but suffice it to say many of these men and women made sizable enough contributions to culture and society to mark their indelible place in history.

Welcome to the New Year's edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

With significant status for these people comes fame.  With fame comes the chronicling of their actions. The media offers their commentary in words.  The artist offers it in his art.  And the caricature artist lets personal commentary filter through his exaggerated visual interpretation.

Hence, famous folks – primarily because they’re famous -- are often skewered by the barbed pen of the caricaturist. The “skewering” doesn’t have to be vicious, though.

Take this handful of notables who gave the world their talents to use in perpetuity…as drawn by talents of a different sort.

David Bowie by Tom Richmond, Prince by Phill Flanders.

Gene Wilder by Rich Conley, Elie Weisel by Alex Pereira.

         

Florence Henderson by Bill Utterback, Mohammed Ali by Digong.

___________________________________________________

Now we go from “looking back” to “looking from behind.” Here’s yours truly doing his thing, at a corporate event for a truck parts company.

  

See you again on the first Tuesday of next month, for another salute – posthumous or otherwise – to the colorful world of caricature art via Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

Kids 'R Us

Used to be one of the best ways for getting “eyes” to focus on an advertisement, you used a child or a puppy.

They’re both still pretty popular subjects.  No less so for drawing caricatures.

Welcome to the Winter Solstice edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

Having a kids’ party – a birthday, bar/bat mitzvah, graduation, Sweet 16, prom gathering, holiday function or other?

A caricature is a uniquely customized way to capture the moment with personalized art you and your youngster will treasure always.

Here are “live” samples:

And here are display art samples, such as Bat/Bar Mitzvah Sign-In Boards:

As a new grandpa, I’m more attuned than ever to the treasures that children bring to our lives. Caricature art is one more way to celebrate them…

See you the first Tuesday of the New Year for another celebratory Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.