Caricature Artist For Events & Parties

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

A. Prospective customers would do best to inquire with their family, friends, neighbors, and co-workers for referrals. Craigslist.com is another reliable source for a variety of entertainers in the local community. For large events where more than a single caricaturist is needed, customers would do best to seek out a regional talent agency. There are also regional talent agencies dedicated to caricature artists. One is in Northern Virginia, and the other is in Maryland.

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. I wish customers knew when to begin my entertainment. The inside secret is start my services about an hour after the scheduled beginning of the event. This allows the guests time to greet one another and to eat and drink, if dining is offered. If a presentation is scheduled, time may also be allowed.

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

A. My drawing style is unique. Then, too, my ability to draw likenesses is well above average. Most of all, my caricatures appeal to the widest audience – from the most sophisticated and savvy to the naive and shy.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. I delight most in meeting people different than myself! And I most enjoy drawing – especially drawing people. I am most aware and in the moment, whenever I draw from life.

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

A. How many people can I draw in an hour? I can draw 4 to 12 people in an hour. The number depends on the amount of time the host directs me to give to each guest.

What does the drawing include? The standard drawing includes a big head on a little body, a name tag, my signature, and the date.

Do I require a deposit? Yes, for bookings of 3 hours or more from new clients.

What information does the customer have to provide? The customer's full name, a contact phone number for the customer, the nature of the event, the address of the event, and the date and time that I am to entertain.

Q. How did you decide to get in your line of work?

A. In 2007, I posted an online ad for custom-made caricatures. A talent agent saw the ad and called to book me for an event. I informed the agent that I provided caricatures for illustration and that I had no experience as a caricature entertainer. Nonetheless, the agent expressed confidence in my skills, so I accepted the job. I have been working continuously as a caricature entertainer ever since that time.

Q. What are your most common types of jobs?

A. I am booked most frequently for birthday parties. Birthday parties are non-seasonal events; that is, they occur throughout the year. Graduation parties and events are most frequent in May and June. Company picnics and residents/block parties are most frequent in August and September. Halloween, Christmas, and New Year parties are most frequent in the two weeks preceding those holidays.

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I recently worked at a large event where four other caricature artists were also entertaining. I am proud that I was recommended to the event organizer by two of the other artists. These artists are very talented and well-respected in our professional community.

Q. Describe your most recent project, what it involved, how much it cost, and how long it took.

A. I was hired by a local advertising agency to entertain at a real estate development sales event. The event had a theme, "Pet Palooza", and the agency had hired several vendors to provide free services at the event. I drew numerous owners with their pets and kids with their pets, as well as numerous individuals and groups. I charged $450 for entertaining from 11 am to 5 pm. This was my third such event for the agency, and the agency has booked me for another such event next month.

Q. If you have a complicated pricing system for your service, please give all the details here.

A. I am located in Arlington, Virginia. My basic hourly rate includes travel in the Arlington, Fairfax, Loudon, and Prince William counties of Virginia, in the District of Columbia, and in the Montgomery and Prince Georges counties of Maryland. For each county through which I travel beyond this area, I require an additional 1 hour booking.