RACIST CARICATURE? in the eyes of the beholder

As a professional live party caricature and humorous illustrator for over ten years, I've drawn at every conceivable party event, fundraiser, and corporate venue. I actually think I've done more Bar Mitzvahs than the average Rabbi!
I'm taking a long time to say that over the years I've drawn thousands, if not millions of faces and that's not even counting what I've drawn on the subways of this city as the "Subwaysurfer" that you loyal readers are well familiar with if you follow this blog.

Caricature, by it's very nature, exaggerates, amplifies,stretches, squashes, and liquifies the facial features of the extended target. Webster defines the word, caricature, as a "loaded portrait" one that has "weight," and " "impact".

Some people find it difficult to receive that impact. From time to time, I've heard the words, "THAT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE ME!" "YOU MQDE ME LOOK LIKE A WITCH!""MY NOSE ISN'T THAT BIG!"
I'm accustomed to hearing these remarks and totally understand them. Heck, I've even said them myself when I was caricatured for the first time by fellow artist, Kenly Dillard. My objection to the artists depiction was the same as most others. We all have a physical image of ourselves that we project onto the screen of our minds, and think every one else sees the same altered image objectively that we see in our imagination. This altered image we project onto our mind screen is crucial to our self esteem. We see ourselves as having chiseled features, soft curves, seductive eyes, where none exist. Most artists, even some caricature artists, and illustrators, are willing, for a price, to engage peoples fantasies and draw that "imaginary image".
And then there are some who aren't willing.
I'm one of THOSE artists. At least when it comes to drawing political editorial caricature.

EDITORIAL CARICATURE AIN'T PARTY CARICATURE

A distinction needs to be made between political editorial caricarture and party caricature.
PARTY CARICATURE is drawn in drawn in 2-5 minute time frames. Which necessitates that an artist uses a streamlined approach so that the maximum amount of party goers get drawn. The overall vibe is lighthearted and whimsical.

POLITICAL EDITORIAL
Is more illustrative. More time is given to the picture, and facial features and subtle nuances can be pushed squashed and pulled for effect.

BUT IS IT RACIST?
I've taken a while to get here, but wanted to set a tone for my answer. Recently, the above caricature featuring Sen Smith and Con Meeks has gotten a reaction out of some people, perhaps supporters, I'm unsure whether or not the politicians themselves feel this way, that my representations are racist.
I received a call from a reporter of a major Queens weekly, asking for my response to peoples response to the picture.

My reply can be summed up in my general approach to caricature.

MY APPROACH TO CARTOONING CARICATURE
First off let me say that no other artist has any control whatsoever of how their work is going to be received by the viewer. I do, however, have control over what I draw and know what my intent is.

It's not divisive, I can tell you that.

I'm an AFRICAN AMERICAN artist myself, and more than familiar with derogatory images and their power to incite, demoralize and ridicule. I did not depict anyone in Blackface, I seimply amplified facial features, of an Afrucan American man. Period. Because I am a caricature artist, I have a tendency to see things through a fun house mirror, so to speak. In other words, if you have a big fore head, it gets bigger, if you have a weak chin, it "goes into your neck" if you have large eyes, they become saucers, and your eyelashes, wings.

And if you have big lips

They become BIGGER.

It's not racial, some of us Bkack folk have big lips.

We do.

Perhaps it's the color, which is a darker gray, than the face, cases attentioned to be drawn, pun unintended, to them. In this case, I simply used a darker color to separate the lips color from the rest if the face. It could be argued that I could have used a lighter shade of gray, but, what's done is done.

I've seen JayZ in person.... trust me, some of do have big lips.

Beautiful full lips are a known, observable physical trait of African Aericans that vary in terms of shape and size.


If a person has a reaction to the way they are drawn, it might have more to do with thoughts they have internalized on what is racist and divisive.

For me, I'm being objective, making an observation, caricaturing it, and drawing a picture. That's all. Sen Smith seems to have, in my opinion, a lot of space, visually, between his nose and his top lip. It's long, comparatively speaking, compared to what caricature artists call "the average face prototype"

THE JOB OF EDITORIAL CARICATURE
Unlike a political columnist who can make his point in two or three paragraphs, I must make my visual point in a single panel, using the strongest images. Can I draw them humorously? Yes. Divisively? No. Keep in mind also, that the editorial artist, in some cases, acts as illustrator to the editor writing the copy. Although I have done cartoons on my own of political figures like former Sen Anthony Weiner, in most cases I am interpreting editorial copy, and coming up with the cartoon angle that I feel expresses visually the overall article. I am, since coming on board at the Wave, have increased the visibility of African Americans in my cartoons, many if which feature African Americans in prominent roles.

I have no Ax to grind.
If some one thinks the toon is racist, it's in the eyes of the beholder,

SPEAKING OF ANTHONY WEINER...
A past cartoon featured Anthony Weiner, following the Twitter fiasco. Weiner, a Jewush Politician, s depicted with a large Nose. Is that to say, I'm making a statement about Jewish People?

NOPE I'm just making fun of Weiners facial features.

At the end of the day, as a CARICATURE cartoonist, I'm using making fun of their FACES. I've even made fun of mine.


SEE ANTHONY WEINER EDITORIAL CARICATURE HERE

FEEL FREE TO COPY DOWNLOAD AND SHARE THIS PIC IF YOU LIKE IT, JUST TELL PEOPLE WHERE YOU GOT IT.  IF YOU WANT TO USE IT ON YOUR BLOG YOU HAVE MY CONSENT! JUST CREDIT ME AS THE ARTIST AND GIVE ME A LINK

http://www.subwaysurfer.blogspot.com  

 Elgin Subwaysurfer Bolling

CARICATURE OF ME DRAWN BY ME. Folks, I'm African American, right now I'm built like a chocolate version of the pillsbury doughboy(but I'm losing!) I have large eyes full lips bigteeth with some spaces,a full nose, bug nostrils, and I'm full of enthusiasm! I've posted this in hopes of clarifying what CARICATURE IS as I express it. Your comments are welcome...and feel free to hire me,

WAVE NEWSPAPER SEN MALCOLM SMITH ,GREG MEEKS CARICATURE

HERE IS THE CARICATURE AND EDITORIAL COPY AS IT APPEARED IN THE WAVE NEWSPAPER WHEN THE CARTOON WAS INITIALLY INTRODUCED




Senator Malcolm Smith has been the subject of numerous Editorials Ive done for The Wave In the Past few weeks. In this episode, He's pictured here with Con Greg Meeks. Sen Smith is drawn here "milking" their Non Profit Cash Cow, "The New Direction Developement Corporation" I got this illo in just under deadline, because I had an difficult time drawing a believable looking cow! LOL! this is just another case of why it is SO important as an illustrator to be able to, quote, "DRAW ANYTHING". In a recent discussion with Fellow artist, Andere Jardine, he mentioned how if you asked the average artist to draw a "superhero action scene" they'd be able to draw it with ease, yet would be scratching their heads trying to render a man tying his shoes, or putting on his jacket. It's SO important to learn how to draw the "ordinary" and mundane things in life.

HERES THE EDITORIAL
All In The Political Family
It seems clear to us that the dual investigations centering on two of our local politicians, State Senator Malcolm Smith and Representative Gregory Meeks points out once again that non-profits should not be run by and for the benefit of politicians and their families. Take, for ex-ample, New Direction Local Development Corpo-ration. Founded in 2001 by the initiatives of Meeks and Smith, state papers show that Smith’s wife, Michelle, was a founding board member. Also on the initial board, papers show, was Cathy Green, the wife of Darryl Green, Smith’s former business partner. Green was convicted in 1999 of stealing $500,000 from city agencies and private firms that hired him as a consultant on affirmative action hiring practices. He was also a partner, along with former Congressman Floyd Flake, in the Aqueduct Enter-tainment Group, which was just awarded a $300 million “Racino” deal at the aging racetrack in Ozone Park. Flake, you will remember, was the political mentor of both Smith and Meeks. Records show that between 2001 and 2006 Smith helped funnel at least $56,000 to the char-ity through state earmarks. The largest chunk of money came to New Direction at the behest of Smith, $250,000 from the devel-oper of a cargo facility across Rockaway Turnpike from JFK Air-port. The deal to trade the right to build the facility in return for community development money was brokered by Smith, Meeks and City Councilman James Sanders Jr. Edwin Reed, who is listed as the treasurer of New Direction is also the head of the development arm of Flake’s church, the Greater Allen AME Church in Jamaica. Flake has become the power behind the scenes in Queens Democratic circles. His development group was recently given the keys to Aqueduct Racetrack to run a gambling Racino there. A week before Flake’s group got the nod, the min-ister was talking up Andrew Cuomo for governor. Shortly after the deal was made, Flake visited the governor in Albany and then declared that his mind was not made up and that he might back Paterson for a full term. Under the New Direction um-brella, Smith and Meeks started a charity for Katrina victims who had come to New York city. It collected some $30,000. It paid out less than $2,000. Now, federal investigators are looking for the missing money. They are also looking into New Direction and the connection between Meeks and Smith and the Aqueduct deal. Some non-profits that deserve a closer look are also closer to home. You’ll remember Democratic District Leader Geraldine Chapey’s Trinity Seniors organization. She ran a single van, providing rides for seniors to luncheons and events. For that, she took in more than $1.5 million in public money over a ten year period, both from city agencies and from local politicians who provided her with earmarked funds. Allow politicians to run their own non-profits, or to turn them over to family and cronies only provides the possibil-ity of corruption, and the practice should be stopped now.

CARTOONING FOR KIDS! HOW TO DRAW A COW

Here's another beginner drawing tutorial for kids! How to draw a steak! ...er.. I mean cow!....same thing!

How to Draw a Cute Cow —powered by eHow.com

CARICATURE QUICK TIP THINK ABOUT DESIGN

A couple of years ago, cartoonist/marketer extraordinare, Bruce Blitz made the observation about me that although I was adept at drawing exaggerated caricatures, a semi realism, that I was, as he put it, "A cartoonist, FIRST!" He was definitely right. Cartooning is my first love, and I love to incorporate it into my own caricature style. I'm inspired by other great caricature/cartoonists like Kenny Durkin, Pete Emslie, Steve Silver, Hrschfeld, and the afore mentioned Bruce Blitz.

Although each artist has their own signature style, each share that intangible element of clean crisp design of their characters.
The concept of good design is somewhat elusive, but it's a combination of clear flowing economy of line, store clear geometric shapes, and easily identifiable curves and straights. When these elements are present in ones work, the cartoon/caricature takes on a personality that makes their characters instant,y recognizable, and pleasing to the eye.

When putting together your cartoons always strive for goid clean design. Start learning by copying the work of other artists who embody this quality. In time you will learn it by imitation.trust me, it's worth it. It helps to pretend that you are part of a production team of animators, and ten other artists have to copy your design. This exercise will develop your design skills in no time, and you'll have a new skill under your belt....Character Designer!

DRAW ME

PRESENT YOUR BEST SELF EVERYDAY

Have you ever heard the term, "Starving Artist" there's a reason for this. Truth be told, most artists are "starving" in the sense of personal prosperity. Niw all prosperity means is INCREASE. So when I say prosperity, I mean Increase, advancement, progression in all areas: social, amongst ones peers, professionally, in terms of clients and sphere of influence, and of course, financial. Prosperity has to do with a posture, a mindset, an attitude. When I was a younger artist, I thought that all I had to do was show up with my ability, and I would get the job. Sadly, in a lot if cases, I didn't. What's worse was the jobs I did manage to get paid so marginally, it was like working for free. As you might expect, I approached every job with a "let's see if this works, I hope it does" mindset, and correspondingly I spoke hesitantly, and unauthoritatively, and dressed like a bum...heck, I looked like I was starving, and was treated as such. I can literally recall clients saying to me, " I'm giving you this job, just so I can help you out, so you can get exposure"
Whoopie....
I was tired of this, and knew that I needed a change.
I asked my Father for help, and being the wise guy that HE is, I finally began to listen. First thing I did was to see myself as HEE saw me. That I was loved, valued and affirmed. I began to hang on the words he said concerning me, and slowly my attitude and self esteem changed. I began to speak positive words over myself, and instead of waiting for things to happen, I put my nose to the grindstone and worked.
HARD
CONTINUOUSLY
DAILY
Working hard is one way of presenting your best self, to yourself, and to God.
He's my Father, by the way. There's a passage if scripture that says that whatever your hands find to do, that you do it with all your might, and that one should do ones work, enthusiastically as unto the Lord. I dud that and began to see results that were tangible. I've also had a few things miraculously drop in my lap too, just another by product of getting in alignment, and presenting my best self everyday.
Once my attitude changed, I actually became more relaxed. I no longer felt anxious and nervous, trying to "fake the funk" wearing a mask of false vibrado. Instead, I became eloquent, articulate and decisive in my speech, with just the right amount of HUMOUR. Those who couldn't accept me, were just not "my clients". I was able to accept peoples right to refusal, and move on. I did notice, there were a lot LESS refusals though... Oh yeah, about the dressing it became much classier. No more jeans and tee shirts. Clothes "really do make the man" and I've noticed a marked increase in personal confidence when I'm quote,"dressed".
The last secret is that you have to be committed to doing your best everyday. If you let thins slip, you'll slide gradually back into starving artist, failure mode... Trust me, been there done that too.

Wow. That was preachy.

SPRINT STORE SALESMAN FLATBUSH/NOSTRAND by Subwaysurfer

In keeping with my policy of drawing outstanding customer service people, here is caricature of a CSR I drew recently who instructed me on how to upload a number of films and pictures I recorded on my communication device.

DRAWING LESSONS FOR KIDS BY SUBWAYSURFER ON E HOW.COM

Have you ever wondered how to draw a dragon dancing?, No? Well, how about a werewolf head? Not really?, c'mon, you must wonder how to draw a scared bear? Negative, you say? 
Well, this particular post isn't for YOU....and rightly so.

Because its for KIDS! 
Let me explain.

For the past couple of weeks, I've been  working with the folks at ehow.com in putting together a DRAWING 101 series, that focuses on beginning artists, KIDS! I like kids, after all, I used to be one! I was delighted when the folks at ehow approached me to do this, as it was something I've always wanted to do, just like two of my cartooning heroes, Bruce Blitz, and Mark Kisler.

Don't expect to see complicated, highly exaggerated drawing in this series, I'm not promoting myself as a caricature artist in this venue. This is a way of getting young artists started on their cartooning journey...some of which will get so good they will one day challenge me, but that's a risk I'm willing to take!

I filmed  a little over 90 instructional videos with ehow, which can be viewed at this site

DRAWING 101 for kids ehow.com
http://www.ehow.com/videos-on_12133783_drawing-101.html

Be in the lookout for my CARTOONING FOR KIDZ  book  that will be out soon! 

Incidentally, if you ARE curious about seeing a Dragon Dance, check it out here

http://www.ehow.com/video_12133799_draw-dragon-dance.html

VIDEO

How to Draw a Dragon Dance —powered by eHow.com

"THE BATTLE FOR BREAKFAST" CHARACTER SKETCHES

MORE GREAT SUBWAY CARICATURE FACES

CARICATURE OF SINGING SUCCESS VOCAL COACH JESSIE NEMITZ

Hands down, Jessie is the best Vocal coach IMO on Brett Mannings wildly successful and informative singing success site. What makes Jessie such a great teacher is his no nonsense, yet unconfrontational teaching style. Jess gives clear analogies to explain complex vocal theory, demonstrates the exercises in a way that's easy to follow, tells you what you are likely to have difficulty with, and tells you what you should be thinking as you practice. He has certainly helped expand my vocal performance, and while there are many fine coaches on Singing Success, I encourage everyone to check out Jessie first.

Jessie Has a great look. The first thing that you notice are the eyes. Penetrating and dark, like a bird of prey. Firey,intense, and intelligent. He also has this edgy scruffy look that reminds me of the punk rockers http://subwaysurfer.blogspot.com/2011/10/caricature-of-singing-success-vocal.html ago that populated the village in NYC. These were the tough unpredictable, cool white guys that the brothas respected, cause you never know what they would do.....Jessies vocals are the same way. Unpredictable, strong, and ferocious.

I didn't set out to actually draw Jessie at first! I was listening to one of his sessions on The Singing Success site, and was randomly sketching his face with a dry black Tombo brush marker. I liked the scruffy result.

I would love to do a CD cover in this style as a way of thanking him....who knows? In the online works anything can happen!

CARICATURE OF ALPHA PHI ALPHA BROTHER NAMED EVOLUTION

My wife and I were traveling together on a Manhattan bound bound A Express train outta Queens that day in joyful anticipation. My wife loves driving more than subway riding, so I advised her to bring a magazine along as I would be "working" for a portion of our journey. I took out my sketchbook and randomly started sketching some passengers, which sparked the interest of a young man in the next seat. He was a fan of cartooning, and in no time I began drawing his mug, much to his delight. I found out he was visiting NYC from school, where he was a member of a fraternity, Alpa Phi Aloha. Alpha has the distinction of being The first Back College fraternity. His frat name was Evolution, which undoubtedly eluded to his er..Simeon like appearance...line names are nit picked, but GIVEN to a pledgee by his big brothers, and have a tendency to stick. I couldn't help but feel a slight swing if jealousy as I too, wanted to pledge Alpha in my college days, but that's another story.

UNAPOLOGETIC CALL TO ACTION

ATTENTION ALL FRATERNITY AND SORORITY MEMBERS...ELGIN SUBWAYSURFER BOLLI G DRAWS AT SMOKERS, FUNDRAISERS AND OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS!

TURTEL ONLI inspired caricature drawing by subwaysurfer

Okay, remember, the operative word here is TURTEL ONLI INSPIRED meaning I wasn't going for a literal visual interpretation of the Father of The Back Age of Comix Movement, I just took elements from his features to create my own character. This is what character design is all about.

caricature of black musician with geometric Afro hairstyle

Barnes and Nobles is one of my favorite bookstores for a lot of reasons.No matter what branch you go into, there is a plush , professional atmosphere, friendly knowledgable staff, and this intangible chill factor effect that makes you want to kick back and relax. Not to mention that Barnes and Noble has a star bucks inside where you can sit and sip coffee, water or tea, plug into the free WiFi and surf online till you drown in information! What's NOT to love about the place? I particularly love the cross section of the population that comes in and out if the store. As a professional character designer/caricature artst I'm always on the lookout for good faces, and Barnes and Noble is a reliable fishing hole.

I was on my way out when I spotting this massive shock of Bkack hair. It was geometrically cut in such a precise way that was startling. I found myself staring and reaching for my drawing pad...who was I fooling though? I knew I'd never ave enough time to get all this fantastic detail, so I tapped the guy on the shoulder and asked my old familiar question?..
"DO YOU MIND IF I DRAW YOU?"

When you blatantly ask a person if you can draw them , or even tae their photo, which I did also, they usually answer with a polite, but firm "No". To my delight he agreed, and stopped just so I could get the right angle. As I had suspected, he was a perfomer, a guitarist in a rock band in fact. I noticed that he also had a big spider tattoo that was in the center of hs chest, the legs extending out over his rib cage, pointing to perfectly chiseled six lack abs. I sucked in my pot belly and completed my preliminaries thanking him for his time and promising to upload the pics on my blog.

As you can see I've done a number of rendition of him which I often do to teach myself how to caricature, exaggerate, and tem simplify, as you can see with the bottom drawing. Whenever you caricature, never bbe satisfied with your first drawing. Keep at it, and you'll make some great artistic discoveries, the least of which is finding your own style.

Live Caricature drawing of man with a big Chin

There are those times at alive gig when all the planets align perfectly the wind is at your back, and you're pumping adrenalin in just the rift amount...annnnnnnd the perfect subject sits in front of you. I had this experience at a gig I did for the prestigious Hampton Classic horse show a few weeks ago. In fact, the gig was exactly the following week that Hurricane Irene touched us here on The East Coast.

I drew this with a Tombo Brush pen, and an indigo Primacolor art Stixx on 8X11 card stock. in three minutes flat. It was pure perfection, and started me on a five hour roll that left me feeling energized, and a little richer at the end.

SUBWAYSURFER UNAPOLEGETIC CALL TO ACTION

If you notice, on the upper left corner if the caricature is a printed copy of the company logo. This serves as an advertisement that stays in front of the person as long as they have their picture, and believe me, they keep these pictures. Why not use me to promote your business or special event?

Caricature of BIG NOSE INTOXICATED MAN ON THE BUS

I was coming home energized like I always am after a great caricature gig. This "energizer bunny" phenomenon is unique to us caricature artists after hours of intense drawing. It's almost like a type of drawing fever takes a hold of you, and it takes hours to calm down. I do some of my best "subway surfing" during these times, and today was no exception.

I was fortunate enough to get a nice window seat on a Rockaway Bound 35 bus traveling from Brooklyn. The 35 is the only bus that travels directly to the Rockaways from Brooklyn, and comparatively speaking the ride is fast compared to the train. The only drawback is that you board the 35 bus on Flatbush ave, a major shopping area, with 100 of your neighbors, each competing for the same limited seats.

When I say I was fortunate, I ain't kidding.

Within minutes, however, I almost regretted sitting down. Directly in front of me, was a man so heavily intoxicated that he seemed to be sweating Vodka.to say that this guy reeked of alcohol is like saying Niagra Falls is a little wet. It seemed that Any minute this guy was going to pitch over and vomit on his shoes.... And if he turned just a little to his left... I'd have a lap full of vomit stew.... Not a pleasant thought.

Oh....but what a face he had! Beautiful dramatic angles and folds, and a nose that only a caricature artist could love! I HAD to draw him! But HOW?? I mean, he was sitting right across from me! I had to think if something unconventional.... So I put on a pair of dark shades. Now normally doing this would make draw g a little harder, but somehow the dark glasses served as an invisible barrier that gave me confidence to look at him for extended periods without alerting him.
The strategy worked beautifully, and I managed to get this great sketch without one drop of vomit landing on me. We both got off the bus at the last stop,I went happily to my studio to put the finishing touches on the sketch, as I watched him stagger slowly in the direction of the bar...

STEVE JOBS RIP CARICATURE BY SUBWAYSURFER

THANKS FOR LETTING THE WHOLE WORLD 

TAKE A BITE OF YOUR APPLE

It turns out that "god" is dead today. Alas, Steve Jobs, is mere flesh blood and bones just like the rest of us.

I know my aforementioned remark will come of as cynical to most people, and I apologize for that. My heart goes out to his family, his friends, and the men and women who worked beside him to create the most revolutionary products the planet has ever seen. I'm grateful to Steve Jobs and applaud his vision, creativity and genus. Heck, I'm typing this on the iPad he envisioned, which has made my job as an illustrator a billion times easier.

Yet I maintain that for many of his legion of fan "god died today" and that reality leaves us all with a sober reminder: man, no matter how great, in the cosmic scheme of eternity, is only a vapor in comparison. In our arrogance and enthusiasm to applaud ourselves, we forget that, as we go about worshipping the works and clever devices of our own hands, or those made by the gods we make, like Steve Jobs.

No, I'm NOT saying, that Steve is now "going to hell" and suffering for his "arrogance", what I am saying is that every now and then, with the passing of a notable public figure, we are all reminded of our own frail humanity, and also start speculating about eternity and our place in it.

I find it particularly touching that as his health began to take a turn for the worst, Steve Jobs did not give his undivided attention to the creation if a new electronic device, or business venture. Instead, according to a New York Post article, he was working diligently on a biography for his children. His desire, was that they would know him, in his own words. As a father myself who has written many letters to his children over the years, that is precious to me, and resonates on a deeper level. As men it's sometimes difficult to express in words the deep love we have for our kids, even if, on the surface, it doesn't show. The culture f manhood sometimes demands that we be driven and stoic in our desire to build a business or reputation. The more successful the man, perhaps the most difficult this is. I hope he completed that project. For those of us who remain, there is a great lesson in this. I pray that we learn it. I pray that I learn it as well.

Steve Jobs was a great man who inspired us to dream, and to create. His final lesson causes us to THINK about the one journey we all will take.

rip steve jobs

STEPS OF THE FIFTH AVE APPLE STORE THE DAY FOLLOWING STEVE JOBS PASSING

CARICATURE QUICK TIP INKING A SUBWAY CARICATURE FACE

HOW TO EXAGGERATE A CARICATURE EXAGGERATION