Caricatures by Emily

Q. Describe the most common types of jobs you do for your clients.

A. Birthday parties, wedding receptions, post-proms, corporate events, bar/bat mitzvahs, trade shows, company picnics, class reunions, fairs, fundraisers, college events, holiday parties, you name it, I've done it. Part of the fun for me is doing so many different kinds of celebrations. Some clients hire me every year for their special days.

Q. What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A. When you are looking for a live caricaturist online, the most important qualities to look for in are:
Can they get a good likeness? Are the drawings funny? (Look for samples with subjects done at parties)

Can they draw quickly? Are they personable in general? Are they professional, on time, with everything needed to draw? (Check their client feedback.)

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. My live caricatures have AMAZING LIKENESSES--there will be no doubt about the subject of each one. Likeness and humor are the reasons why my caricatures end up as treasures on people's walls for many years to come.

I'm also VERY fast at drawing...which makes it very entertaining for those watching, and means I get dozens of people done per event.

My studio caricatures have the same attention to likeness, but are high-quality images that make the most fantastic gifts for milestone events...like weddings, retirement, anniversaries, corporate gifts, you name it.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I like knowing that the five minutes spent getting a caricature at an event will put smiles on faces, those of the sitter and their families and friends, right then and there, and also for many years after I draw it!

The same goes for my studio gift caricatures. The person who receives one knows that it is uniquely made just for them.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. Many people ask if this is my "real job?"
I am always happy to reply, "Yes, it is!"

They also ask how I got started, or if I'm an art student (well, they used to ask that one ;-)

The short answer is: I've been drawing since I was a toddler, saw caricature being done as an adult, thought it looked like fun, started doing it, and got better and better at it. And here I am!

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. When hiring a caricaturist , please don't seat us next to speakers! We like to be able to converse with our subjects.

Please don't ask us to use numbers or a sign-up sheet, that just complicates things. The best way is first-come, first-served.

Please be aware that the artist has to stop at the appointed time. Although we wish we could draw everyone at very large events, usually it isn't possible. At smaller events , make sure you book the artist long enough to draw everyone if that is your goal.

Q. Do you do any sort of continuing education to stay up on the latest developments in your field?

A. I attend the annual convention of the International Society of Caricature Artists, where hundreds of caricaturists from all over the globe converge for a week of seminars, competitions, and friendship. 2010 was my eighth convention.

Q. Write your own question and answer it.

A. What makes caricatures good for parties or gifts?

An talented artist drawing live caricatures at a party is entertainment that also provides wonderful souvenirs of the event!
It breaks the ice for guests; gives them something to enjoy watching for a few minutes at a time--or however long they want; and the five minutes spent actually getting drawn results in something special that most people remember and enjoy for much longer that the party itself!

A gift caricature for the honoree is art uniquely created just for them. As the giver, it says you took the time to do something really special for your loved one. These are also gifts that last a lifetime!