Gift Caricature

Here's a caricature I did of a good friend of mine who I went to grade school and high school with for his 50th surprise birthay party. (He's a lot older than me, I'm not sure how that happen??) But anyway, he works multiple jobs and wears alot of hats. So that's what I did in the drawing.

Below is a drawing from a young budding artist who was at the party, who is Mark's niece, her name is Mary and she is only 9 years old. She did a drawing of her father in just a few minutes, WOW. She loves to draw, she draws all the time and it shows. Keep up the good work Mary!

Ballpark Caricatures!

Hi all. I've been quite busy lately. Getting into spring and baseball season, which gets pretty crazy at times. Attached are some photos of my stand at Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore. It's a great place to work and I have a good location at the park, which is crucial. I’ve been there since the park open in 1992. But it's a GREAT place to watch a ball game. This time of year in April can be slow at times...

(Photos were taken by Emily. Thanks Em. Nice photos.)

But when the Yankees (or the Red Sox) come in to town, it like night and day.

First Digital Painting

Sorry for the long drought. I know a lot of you look forward to reading my blog on a regular and daily bases and I was getting quite of few calls and e-mails inquiring what happen, when will you start posting again…. NOT. Sounded good thou.

Anyway, been quite busy. Below is my first digital painting. I did it last month for my other daughter’s birthday present, she like this young guitar player. I was pretty happy with it. Inspired by all the great stuff a lot of my colleagues are doing. But I have a long way to go. I’ll be posting more often. Again sorry to all of you who have been waiting so long.

Me and the Gov

Click for a closer look…

Here's one of my caricatures I did “live” last night at a local Restaurant (Luna Del Sea), that I’ve been doing some work for lately. This one is of our former governor here in Maryland, Robert Ehrlich. It was a pleasure to meet him and to draw him!! I don’t get too many opportunities to draw “famous” people live. Off of photos, yes. I’ve been to quite a few events where there have been VIPs, some local politicians and famous sports personalities. But they WILL not stand in line to get a drawing done let alone sit for 5 minutes. They’re too busy and if they do sit, the crowd would be all over them which is good for business, but I don't get an opportunity to talk with them; it gets too chaotic.

But drawing Governor Ehrlich was very cool. He came to the restaurant early before the crowd showed up. So I was able to chat with him while drawing. It was funny because the restaurant called me that day and asked me to come in earlier to draw the governor. I said, ok. Then I started looking up photos of him, trying to get a feel for his face before I drew it that night. Looking up his bio, checking out some local stories in the paper to talk to him about. Thinking up some Irish stories... While waiting for him to show up, I find out that Governor Martin O”Malley is not the one I am going to draw, it's the former Governor, Bob Ehrlich. So I had to rethink what I was going to draw and say. The drawing is now hanging right above the table he always sits at when he comes there a couple times a week.

The next time I’m in the restaurant Iwill get a couple of photos of all the caricatures on the wall and I'll post them.

Personal greeting cards

Here's a "greeting card" I did for an current client of mine that works at a mortgage company. She wanted some personalized cards made to give out to her clients. I ended up doing quite a few drafts, then tweaking the final a few times. The balloons started out much smaller. This is a birthday one and below that is the “thank you” card. There maybe others to follow.

Happy 10th Birthday Erica!!

It's my little one's birthday today. She had a great day. She LOVES Hannah Montana like any other 10 year old. She has her bedroom plastered with photos of her and now bed sheets. So I did drawing of them two to add to her collection.

Click for a closer look…

A Gift Caricature

Here's a gift caricature I did of my neighbor that was used as a signing board. He just turned 40 and his wife Maureen threw a nice party for him. He's originally from Ireland and has been over here in the US for about 15 years. I wanted tie in the two some how, not to mention he loves beer.
I first worked from a quick sketch I did of him this past year. Working in photoshop and knowing how to get around in it helps a great deal, you can add more options as you go. Placing the US flag in the back ground faded a little was pretty cool and that's what I wanted. But after looking at it awhile, the flag stood out too much so I took it out and put it on his tie and I think that worked better. Plus I thinned out his neck too (which I don't think he minded.)