Caricature Art: Not Always Politic

As our Nation celebrates its 238th birthday this month, I'm reminded of one of the attributes that makes us great -- freedom of commentary throughout the political process.

More specifically, with regard to the subject of this space, the contributions -- artistically, politically, psychologically and socially -- made by political cartoonists.

Welcome to the July edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

According to various online sites, "Thomas Nast (September 27, 1840 – December 7, 1902) was a German-born American caricaturist and editorial cartoonist who was the 'Father of the American Cartoon.'  Among his notable works were the creation of the modern version of Santa Claus and the political symbol of the elephant for the Republican Party. Nast was associated with the magazine Harper's Weekly from 1859 to 1860 and from 1862 until 1886.

"As a political cartoonist, Thomas Nast wielded more influence than any other artist of the 19th century. He not only enthralled a vast audience with boldness and wit, but swayed it time and again to his personal position on the strength of his visual imagination. 

"Both Lincoln and Grant acknowledged his effectiveness in their behalf, and as a crusading civil reformer he helped destroy the corrupt 'Boss Tweed' Ring that swindled New York City of millions of dollars. Indeed, his impact on American public life was formidable enough to profoundly affect the outcome of every presidential election during the period 1864 to 1884.  

"Tweed ran the Democratic Party in New York. In September 1871, Nast famously depicted Tweed, New York mayor Oakey Hall and several others as a group of vultures surrounding a corpse labeled "New York." The cartoon supposedly upset Tweed so much that he offered Nast a bribe of $500,000 (100 times Nast's annual salary at the time) to leave town. Nast refused and continued to draw attention to Tweed's misdeeds. Eventually, it was Tweed who fled the country, to avoid prosecution."

I'm often asked why don't I enter the political cartooning ring?

Probably because I tend to the more apolitical side of the ledger. And, it's pretty daunting work to come up with something clever, timely and, of course, thought or action-provoking on a daily basis. 

No wonder some of these guys have won the Pulitzer Prize!

Here are a couple of my own flicks of the wrist, though I wouldn't presume to call them political cartoons.

Just caricatures of a couple of famous POTUSes (is that a word?)

 

See you again the first Tuesday of next month for another toss of the hat in the caricature ring, with Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

Joel Kweskin

   

The Marriage of Art and Entertainment

Ah, June. The month of blushing brides and giddy grooms.

We all know that wedding entertainment consists of the band or deejay. Maybe some dancers to get the guests out onto the dance floor. And that's it. 

Or is it?  Guess what's on the cusp of also getting a foothold in the firmament of fun features at weddings...

Welcome to the June installment of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

Wedding Bee, an online site for brides, posed this poll question:

Caricatures -- Stupid or Fun?

48% answered "Yes, so fun, I would love it as a guest."

26% answered, "No, save your money and do something different."

Another 26% responded to "Other."

Some of the respondents also added further thoughts on the subject:

* I think it is a good idea.  People like to have something to DO and something to take with them.

* I think it would be super fun!

* I think it sounds like a super fun idea. I would be so excited if I encountered this at a wedding.

* I love the idea!! I think it’s unique and fun!! Think ~ the people you are inviting are your loved ones and friends ~ there’s a reason they are in your “circle” and most likely MOST of them have similar tastes as you do ~ so if you like ~ I bet the majority of your guests would like it!

I say go for it!!!

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I've done a few weddings this year already and I must chime in -- hearing words from guests to the effect that (even when guests didn't think I was listening), "This is great -- what a clever, fun idea!"

Wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, bachelor/bachelorette parties are great occasions to let one's hair down and have guests...as well, of course, as the bride and groom and their respective families...enjoy the truly customized experience of having their caricature drawn.

It's a gift that truly lasts a lifetime.

Here are some happy campers from recent weddings I've drawn at:

  

See you again the first Tuesday of next month for another marriage made in Heaven -- you and Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

Joel Kweskin

www.caricaturesbyjoel.com

Have you thought about a Template?

Sometimes I'm called upon to create a template that serves as a "core" drawing.  Generally, a pre-printed illustration on the sheet that acts as the illustrated theme of the event. From that already established tableau, I then just add the head of the individual I'm drawing.

It's a fun way for companies -- or even a bride and groom for their wedding, youngster at their bar/bat mitzvah or family at long-awaited reunions -- to engage their guests in a memorable, long-lasting way.

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

Here are some samples. The drawing's already pre-printed. Now all that's needed is the head to fit in the open space.

This was created for a national company hosting an event for their staff at the Charlotte Motor Speedway:

 

This template was developed for a French-Canadian company holding its employees gathering at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte:

This next scenario was created for the Charlotte Knights' double dip -- first the all-day festival at Romare Bearden Park and then, later that evening, at the home opener in the new BB&T Ball Park:

This more modest initiative is part of Sales Productivity Coach Philippe Le Baron's campaign to enhance his brand by selectively putting a client's head atop the body of a lion tamer (the aspired-for effect of his program for sales managers), and then presenting that client with a uniquely customized gift.

(And here's what Philippe had to say about it...)

Watch the Video [00:49 min]

As you can see, templates like these can be utilized both at live events and working from photos for gift giving or later display.

What idea do you have for a template?

I'm already templated in this space for the first Tuesday of each month -- see you next time for another installment of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.


Joel Kweskin
Caricatures by Joel

Play Ball!

It's April. And that means it's time for another season (lasting a full seven months, actually) of the National Pastime. Now, in our country's current collective consciousness, that title may refer to Football. But to those of us who are old-fashioned purists for the term, that means the greatest game this country ever invented -- Baseball.

Welcome to the April edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

Before you say Basketball is the greatest game we ever invented, here's an historical tidbit: James W. Naismith, the athletics coach at what later became the University of Springfield (Mass.), created the game of Basketball in 1891 as a form of recreation and exercise during the winter months, to keep active until the Spring...his school Baseball players.

But I digress.

 

Since many of you know me as a fan of the superlative caricature and cartoon art of Mad Magazine, I thought I'd team up my two passions and display some of the fun Mad has had with Baseball through the years:



Surprisingly, I find I've done next to nothing on Baseball myself. Save for this recent piece I did for a good friend of mine with whom I went to The High School of Music & Art in New York.  Mike Brent has gone on to a happy and fulfilling career as a wonderful painter and portraitist:

 

Although we're not looking at purely baseball players here, these are two Bar mitzvah boys -- one of whom, the young man in the hat, is my son Benjamin -- who enjoyed the game along with others.

 

I'm fudging with this last guy. He, of course, is an NBA icon and principal owner of the Charlotte Bobcats, soon to be Charlotte Hornets. But in 1994, he followed his father's original dream for him and played minor league ball for the Chicago White Sox affiliate Birmingham Barons. Over 127 games, he hit a meager .202, but managed to drive in 51 runs and steal 30 bases!



Good thing, however, he soon went back to his day job.

My monthly job is to send out this newsletter. 

Hope you enjoyed Not Your Usual Caricature Artist. Look for it again the first Tuesday of next month.

Joel Kweskin

Caricatures in the Palm of Your Hand

The Palm is as famous for its caricatures festooning the walls of its restaurants throughout the country  as it is for its renowned gourmet meats and lobster. 

 

Welcome to the March edition of Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.

According to Wikipedia, here's the background on that curious marriage of cartoon and culinary arts:

"When Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi opened The Palm Restaurant in 1926, they had no money to decorate. Luckily, their location on Manhattan’s Second Avenue was in close proximity to the headquarters of King Features Syndicate and attracted a large clientele of cartoonists. In exchange for their meals, artists would often draw their own creations on the walls of The Palm.

"Over the years, the tradition of decorating our locations with caricatures has continued as we’ve expanded across the country and internationally. Before a new restaurant opens, 200 to 300 local notables' likenesses are placed on the walls, and new caricatures of regulars and celebrities are added regularly. Not surprisingly, the most in-demand wall space is at the original Second Avenue location, where only five caricatures are added each year due to space constraints."

 

Here in Charlotte, where we also have a Palm, sits Harry's Tavern & Grille, in the Ayrsley community, on S. Hwy 49, near I-485. The management enlisted me to draw some famous "Harrys" to carry through with their name, which now hang on the back wall of the restaurant. Among them are:

     

 You may not have a restaurant, but I'd be happy to help you adorn an office wall with fun pix of you, your staff, whomever...

See you again the first Tuesday of next month with an un-harried look at caricatures via Not Your Usual Caricature Artist.