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So, what exactly do you do?!
I am a caricature artist from Roanoke, VA. I have been drawing quick-sketch style caricature portraits at parties and various other events for three years now.
When you book me for an event, I will arrive early to your location with everything I need to entertain your guests for the pre-determined amount of time contracted. Your guests will be audience to the creation of fast and fun, humorous and recognizable caricature artwork which I will create using my trusty Sharpie markers on durable heavy 11"x14" paper. It doesn't take long for a crowd to gather and enjoy watching me as I draw each new face. Laughs, smiles and amazed faces can be expected as I place each caricature in a protective bag and turn it around to reaveal to the sitter their own cartoon alter ego!
Typically I draw 12-15 full-body black and white caricatures with detailed backgrounds and hobbies in one hour. What sets me apart from a lot of other artists is that I do not mind drawing groups of 3, 4, 5 - heck I've drawn almost twenty people in one picture at a live event before! In addition to one person or couples, many people enjoy a group drawing. Things such as group drawings, organization, etc. can affect the number of people drawn per hour, but the spectators are ALWAYS entertained!
Yes, more people can be drawn per hour if I do a simple cartoon sketch of just faces, but they are not as memorable as a full caricature!
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Okay, so how does this work?
When you contact a caricature artist directly, you don't have to worry about communication problems and/or outlandish additional fees. While I do have established relationships with several entertainment agencies nationwide, your ability to hire myself and my associated artists directly allows me to devote the time it takes to ensure your event runs smoothly and on time.
Simply call 540-982-5415 or email me with all of the details of your event including the date, time, number of people attending and/or the number of artists you would like to book, and any special requests or additional information that may be involved with your party.
Once fees have been discussed and dates confirmed, I will email or snail-mail a contract to your adress. If the date/event requires a deposit, the date will be confirmed once I have received the deposit. If a deposit is paid and you decide to move or cancel the event, I will keep the deposit to cover administrative costs. If, however your event is simply rained-out, I will refund any deposits taken. In either instance, please do not hesitate to discuss or plan out before hand an alternate event date.
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Now, why would I want to hire you?
Why hire a caricature artist? Let me count the ways! Most people associate caricature are with theme parks. That is, indeed, a traditional setting for caricaturists, albeit an expensive one. When your guests realize that you have hired an artist as an entertainer, and that the drawings are offered at no cost to them, you've got an instant success. Once the first brave soul sits across from me, your party has officially begun.
Caricatures are, of course, perfect for children's parties such as birthdays, bar/bat mitzvahs, grad nights, and after-proms, but caricature entertainment is by no means limited to youth. Some of my most exciting gigs have been for events attended only by adults. Conventions, trade shows, employee celebrations, over-the-hill bashes, barbecues, retirement parties... the list goes on!
While I have many colleagues in other areas of the entertainment industry whom I hold in the greatest respect, I must say that caricatures are still a rather unique idea that you can bring to your event. Kids have all seen the clowns and magicians and listened to questionable DJ's before. With caricatures, they are involved in the excitement and every drawing is a unique experience. I specialize in drawing very fast caricatures that aren't simply a cartoon face portrait. I love coming up with humorous additions to the sitter's hobbies and background.
There is something about watching an artist create that mystifies all of us. Even if every guest in attendance does not sit for me, there are plenty who will be highly entertained just watching me draw. One of the most common comments I hear goes something like "Wow! I can't even draw a stick figure - how do you do THAT?!" It is certainly enjoyable for everyone, including myself to see the blank white page come to life with each stroke of the marker.
Then there are those folks who watch me draw face after face because they are positive that I am going to make a mistake and they want to see what I will do. They are usually the ones who are most impressed! You see, I never begin with a pencil sketch or any kind of an outline. I imagine how the drawing will be laid out in my head, allow for the number of people in the composition, then begin. It's always fun to boldly make lines that seem strange to the observer, only to evolve into something recognizable as the drawing nears completion.
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When, where, and at what type of event would I use an artist?
Caricatures add humorous entertainment to:
Parties & Get-Togethers Whether you're just enjoying the company of friends, watching the big game or celebrating a promotion - or you just wanna have some fun!
Employee Picnics One of the most popular events to hire an artist for. Let off some steam and relax away from the office as your fellow employees and management turn into cartoons. Also entertains the kids who were dragged along!
Trade Shows/Conferences Having trouble bringing people to your booth at a trade show or conference? Hire me to draw and the crowds and lines will form. You'll have plenty of time to talk about your business as everyone waits on their own caricature!
Bar/Bat Mitzvahs Everyone who has ever been to a Bar Mitzvah knows that they are no small events! When you want your child's party to be special and memorable, you need an artist to record the event in ink.
Birthdays Not just for kids! Adults have some significant birthday parties. Curb the craziness at your 'Turning 21' bash with some offbeat humor, kick things up a notch for someone turning 50! Kids love caricatures, but adults get even more excited!
Weddings Okay, it would have to be quite a unique ceremony to have an artist drawing during the main event, but every wedding has a reception!
Fundraisers Hire me at my regular rate, then either charge for the caricatures or simply accept donations. Everyone is entertained, and everyone wins!
After-Prom Parties If you are in charge of entertainment for an after-prom party or grad night, it is never too soon to book your artists. Without a doubt the busiest season for caricatures, make sure your party is complete by hiring enough artists to draw your favorite students.
The List Goes On! Picnics - Family Reunions - Sporting Events - Camps - Vacation Bible School - College Orientations - Alumni Weekends - Cookouts - Car Shows - Literally anything you can think of!
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Do you offer any other kinds of services?
Sometimes an event just does not seem like it would lend itself to a group of people watching an artist entertain because of space restrictions or seating arrangements. This is no longer a reason not to hire an artist! I also use a 'walkabout' easel to do caricatures. I use a slightly smaller piece of paper so that I can quickly roam around your event and draw guests who are standing in groups, waiting in lines, or sitting at tables. This also helps to break the ice for those who are hesitant to come and sit in the chair!
There are many options you can consider if you would like to get creative with your caricature booking. Artists can come in costume if you are having a themed event. I can pre-print the drawing paper with your logo or the name of the event and date, or even with pre-drawn, themed bodies which would allow a greater number of people per hour to be drawn.
Much more information on these kinds of things coming soon!
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You've done this before, right??
All of the clients who have hired me have been extremely satisfied and very supportive of the arts through generous compliments, referrals, tips and return invitations and bookings. Here is a partial listing of companies and associations whom I have worked for in addition to the hundreds of private parties and commissions I have performed:
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Trigon Blue
Cross/Blue Shield
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AmRhein's Wine Cellar
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Fincastle Festival
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Shelor Motors
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Clifton Forge
Fall Festival
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Clear Channel Communications
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DuPont
Industries
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ACME of Roanoke
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419 West
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Awful Arthur's
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Virginia
Tech
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High Point University
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Boys & Girls Club
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Tanglewood Mall
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Hidden Valley
High School
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The Hotel Roanoke
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Town of
Iron Gate
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Roanoke College
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Hollins College
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Radford
Highlander Festival
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Sedalia Center Celtic Festival
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Vision Film Festival
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Lord Botetourt
High School
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Douthat State Park
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Roanoke Catholic High School
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C & O Historical Society
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Liberty High School
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Festival In The Park
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Shenandoah Adult Care Center
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First National Bank
of Radford
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The
Homestead
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U.S. Cellular
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The
Greenbrier
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Harrisonburg
Valley Mall
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Randolph-Macon
Women's College
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Radford University
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Olde Salem
Days
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WVTF Public Radio
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University of VA
Alumni
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Westminster Abbey
Retirement Home
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Danville Railroad
Association
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Brammer Village
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Mountain Lake Resort
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New River
Valley Mall
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National Business College
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Sinkland Farms
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Macado's
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Special Needs
Symposium
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Red Robin
Hamburgers
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Valley View Mall
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Q99
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Roanoke Gas
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Goddess Night
in Lynchburg
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YMCA
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Habitat For
Humanity
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DECA
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Fielddale High
School
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VMI
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Mill Mountain
Zoo
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Druid Hills Elementary
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Staunton River
High School
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Roanoke Country Club
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VA Baptist's
Child's Home
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Wachovia
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Dave's Moonwalks
& More
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Patrick Henry High School
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Wiliam Byrd
High School
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Snowshoe
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K & T Entertainment
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King's Entertainment
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Wake Forest
University
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Clarion Hotel
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Wyndham Hotel
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Boy's Home
of Covington
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Charlotte Hilton
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General Motors
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Camp Roanoke
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Fletcher
Chapel
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Phillip -Morris
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About Faces
Entertainment
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Kilpatrick & Stockton
Law Firm
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Presbyterian Community Center
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Town of Vinton
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R.J. Reynolds
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Radford MotorMile
Speedway
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James RIver High School
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The Blackwater
Loft
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Member One
FCU
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Kyle Edgell & Creative Associates
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Lewis-Gale Hospital
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Douthat Lake
Run Car Show
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Norton Best
Friends Festival
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Raleigh Court
Block Party
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Clarion Hotel
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Happy's
Flea Market
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Roanoke Music
For Americans
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