Tastes like chicken

Many nights during the convention I deprived myself of food and sleep in an effort to break through the glass ceiling of lame caricaturing into the land of exaggerated caricature bliss. All I could think aobut was food though! especially chicken... and this is what came out in my work....

NCN Convention by subwaysurfer

Just returned from the Annual NCN Convention. ITo be more accurate, I returned on October 6th, but only until now have I been able to calm down enough to collect my thoughts.The Best of the BEST Caricature Artists from all over the world came together for a week of fun, education, competition, and even controversy at this convention. You reallly had to be there to get the full meaning. A couple of mountain top experiences included reuniting with my pal, Kenly Dillard, a former NYC Street Caricature Artist, now Florida native,who was instrumental for teaching me the ropes of live Street Caricature in NYC. Ken has alwasy been THE fastest artist I've ever seen, and I watched him create, in a few hours incredibly detailed sketches that would have taken a normal human days to complete. I also got a chance to meet my buddy Chris Collins, who I had been conversing with on the NCN forum for a year tring desperately to crack the caricature code. Chris REAAAALLLYYY "messed me up!" caricature wis, I was inspired and delighted. Another favorite artist, Adam Pate, thought me a simplied way of doing a quick sketch party style I cant WAIT to try at a party. Adma , the lucky dog, had the distinction of looking like Wolvernie from the Xmen, and I couldnt help but do his caricature. I also got an opportunity to meet and be interviewed by Mark Simon, artist and author of Facial Expressions, Your Resume Sucks, and Storyboards Motion in Art. Mark gave an inspiring, thought provoking and dynamic lecture on how to be a thriving artist that obliterated every excise for failure that I had. One of my illustrations , taken from an upcoming facial expressions book, also recieved honrable mention in a recent contest that NCN members participated in. Considering the awesome talent the NCN has, I consider that to be an honor. Character Designer, Steve Silver was also in attendance and gave another inspiring thought provoking and...dynamic lecture on the art of character design that also helped to inspire and eliminate excuses for failure. So much more to write, and I'll just spread out the news over time.... ..

subway sketches for today

Im less than a week away from the annual caricature convention in Orlando for the NCN I feel ready! here are some drawings I did today of commuters on the train.

We go forward.

I met with Tyler, the filmmaker responsible for directing and wrtiing the script for the upcoming animation project, and also met with a talented flash and after affects animator named Win who came from Thailand. ( I like the name, "WIN" It sure is a lot better than "LOSE!" we spent a couple of hours going through a language barrier, but in the end, GREAT ART WON OUT!! I cant wait to get started on this. Havent done any more sketches so i just thought I'd show some past ones.... like THIS one which comes from my "Toiletman" comic that is currently being featured on www.poopreport.com Be warned, I'm NOT a comic artist, and you will undoubtedly see stuff wrong with the storytelling but the art is fantastic, or at least, it's what I'm told...

more character studies

Here are some more character studeis on the animation I am doing for a client who has me drawing this scenario involving a heroic chipmunk and a Greek Warrior. Should look interesting once everything comes together.

And it DID Adding this Link June 2011.

Introduction

Ah, the infamous "intro page" the one that turns anoyomous strangers into familiar friends.....might as well get it over with... sigh. My name is Elgin and I am a professionalcaricature entertainer in NOO Yawk City. NO! I'm not one of the guys you see on 42nd street, although, I've done that too.... I do corporate caricature for parties, fundraisers and special events, as well as party caricature for mom and pop events, weddings, birthdays, and more Bat Bar Mitzvahs than the average Rabbi. I dubbed myself, "subwaysurfer" because that's how I get to most of my gigs here in NYC. The MTA, The LIRR, Metronorth Railroad, or NJ Transit gets me where I need to go. An average ride is 2 hrs, and like a professional athlete who warms up before an event, I warm up before my events by drawing unsuspecting passengers. It's great fun! and also...a little dangerous! keep posted as I post my adventures from time to time.
In addition to caricature I also do storyboarding, cartooning, and character design all of which will be seen here for as long as I feel like posting, and as long as you're not bored tuning in. SO.....without further delay, here's what's in my sketchbook...