What is a caricature?

Have you ever been to a theme park or a county fair and watched an artist sketching funny or exaggerated cartoons of people? That's a "caricature". Some caricatures are really distorted on purpose to bring special recognition to whatever it is that helps you know who the subject is. Will Smith and Michael Jackson (shown above) are easily recognized here. The artist shown is using a charcoal pencil, but many use a black marker. Caricatures can insult or compliment, some are political, most are for entertainment only. Caricatures are not portraits. They are typically created fast, on the spot, others are drawn in the artist's studio in color or black and white but drawn in a lot more detail. A simple caricature may be of one subject or combine others. Caricatures of kids and pets are very popular too. Prices can vary from less than twenty-five dollars for a black and white to hundreds of dollars for full color and depend on their complexity and the customer's ultimate purpose.

As a caricature artist myself, I have created hundreds of these stylized cartoons over the years. I have set up my easel and enjoyed sketching people at malls, on yachts, at fairs, in bars and senior living facilities and company retirement parties -- too many venues to list. I have had an exciting time over the years and enjoyed my events here in the US, the Bahama Islands, Jamaica and met many great, funny people. Every one of my caricatures was interesting to do! I am retired now, and I don't travel to events anymore. Oh, I may still create one of my caricatures for a customer every now and then if called upon. My email: meltoncarr@gmail.com.

My pastime now is writing my "blog-stories" and of course, flying my drones!

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