Tuesday, January 31, 2012

DISADVANTAGES OF DOING STREET CARICATURES

5 comments:

Tom Kerr said...

Never did the street thing, but have heard much about it. Yes, the police will grab you display and--apparently--your supplies along with fining you for the trouble. The permit you're talking about is this one...

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dca/html/licenses/094.shtml

loucorona said...

Elgin, I understand subwaysurfing is different than sitting in one spot, and I'm sure you probably have done both but have you as a caricature street artist ever been asked to show the proper paperwork? And if so, do you remember what is required. The link that Thomas replied states that You do not need a vendor license to sell artwork. So what do you need to sell caricature art on the street?

Elgin Subwaysurfer Bolling said...

When I used to do this, you needed a document called a taxLD. The police used to always ask for that. Some artists used to display it prominently on their display, others like e, would keep it on them until asked. There's something about having my tax numbers displayed for all to see, copy down and use, was unsettling...

Tom Kerr said...

Hi Lou,

No, didn't say you didn't need one--you do--which is why I provided the link. I had a former student caught by the police. They took his display, supplies and artwork and trashed them. I find the tax id thing to be a little weird. Not having done street drawing, I wouldn't know. My guess is, if you get that permit, part of the reason for getting it would be to track you as a NYC vendor. To get the form, a tax id would be required as you'd have to pay tax on everything you sold. There may be a separate form (LD? Did you mean ID--Elgin?). Freelancers are obligated, typically, to file taxes quarterly (make payments). I did this for 11 years and am glad to not be doing it anymore. Personally, I go by the book at all times, but the situation may be different for others. I have heard that plying one's trade on the street can get territorial and there are even a cadre of caricature pimps of sorts making life rough for those not in their stables. Hey Elgin...that might be a good idea for a caricature--a caricature of a caricature pimp! So meta!

Elgin Subwaysurfer Bolling said...

I indeed meant tax ID not LD in my typo! LOL! Sorry for the confusion here. Funny thing about the officers, they really are temperamental about you having the thing one day they'd walk by you without saying anything, next day they'd be one you like you're public enemy number one! Sometimes they'd target some guys and leave others alone, other times,it would be a warning. It wasn't all smiles workingthe street, let metell you! But even with all the mishaps it's still a great experience and you learn lessons that definitely would help you in your career.