DRAW THE SURFER HERE"S YOUR CHANCE

Okay, all you artists who faithfully tune in to this blog....here's where you can take a swing at the surfer, on the condition that you allow ME to take a swing back at YOU! I took a couple of T pics from a lot of angles so that you can choose what moves you. If I get eough replies I will start a seperate blog for this. Take your shot!!

Burger King Caricature

I personally think that The Burger King ( or as I call it The "BK" Steakhouse) In Hewlett Log Island has some of the best tasting Burgers around. Not to mention that the decor of the restaurant is set up like a 1950's Diner complete with a "Caddie table" that's straight outta the pulp fiction movie... well.... sorta.
After eating my burger, I was, as usual, minding other people's business, and drawing their pictures. This ma, Vernon, stopped by to admire what I was doing,and before he knew it, he was sitting down getting his caricature draw! Vernon works at the Minuteman Press printing shop across the street from BK. It's always good to have a printer as a friend if you're an artist.

Great Sardis art

You Never get tired of looking at these walls....

Deja Vu at Sardi's Too!

The 2d time around was as good as the first... except for the lighting.... I was on the 2nd fl this time

Post Sardis Sketch on The A Train

Can you BELIEVE it!? Sardi's loved me so much that they requested me again for ANOTHER gig yesterday evening! I was so "high" from the gig that I couldt stop drawig when I got on the train!.....
wait a miute...
That's what I normally do.
Heres a sketch of a woman who just couldnt stop talking.

She's SOMBODY'S Baby

Oh how I wish I had the guts to do this to someones kid!!! Actually, Its a drawing of a baby Mermaid I submitted to Art Jumble's "mermaid week" Post.

SubwaySurfer in Sheepshead Bay at The Baron Dekalb

I had a gig today in one of my favorite parts of New York, at the Baron Dekalb in Sheepshead Bay.

Sheepshead bay is renown for its restaurants and everytime I go I literally lose my mind with the sights the sounds and the smells of the neighborhood. This afternoon I was drawing at a Fist Communion party. Here are a few pics:

Elephant spotted on NYC Subway Train

The circus must be in town, because I spotted this elephant on the train. Maybe if i give him a peanut he'll do a little trick...

PRINCIPAL ON THE TRAIN

As soon as i saw him he had this "high School Prncipal " vibe to him. He looked at me as if to say, " I want you to write one thousandtimes, , "I WILL NOT DRAW STRAANGERS ON THE TRAIN"

These aint yo' Mama's Mermaids...

Ive joined an online drawing group called Art Jumble, recently (see sidebar) and have been having a blast. Each week an assignment is given and whoever wants to upload drawings relevant to the weeks topic do so at will. This week's topic is "Mermaids" and for some reason I couldnt help but think fo various ways I could clown the little mermaid character AND make a statement about how mermaids are normally depicted in cartoons in general. One burning question I have is "how in the world do Mermaids go to the bathroom?" there seems to be no exit passage...
I hope viewing these images will encourage other artists to check out the site. Its a great way to get insp.iration, and build up a body of work.

I aint "political" He just has a funny face....

Found this old sketch of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad I did last year in between clients when I was drawing caricatures on the street. Man! I forgot howfunny lookin this guy really is!

The Surfer Does Sardi's !! with Absolut Vodka

The folks I was entertaining this evening were with Absolut Vodka. I got a kick out of that because I helped the company with their famous "find Your Flavor" campaign 2 years before. The results were hilarious. Everyone had a great time, and even my photos didnt suck as much.

The Subwaysurfer Draws at Sardi's .... Again!

No gig quite matches the pure adrenalin rush of drawing at Sarid's Restaurant! Just to be in the same place where all the great New York Caricature artists drew and entertained, I get goose bumps knowing that Im carrying on the tradition of drawing at the "caricature Mecca" Ive Done Sardis about 5or 6 times in the past couple of years and have never taken ANY photos. I wanted to break and old habit so... here goes enjoy.

The walls are fabulous so much history!

Saturday Subway Surfing on the A train Rockaway Park Shuttle

I needed to go into the city to buy some art supplies, and forgot that on Saturday in the Rockaways the trains are all screwed up due to construction. As I boarded the A train at 116th street and Rock Park I immediately began drawn to this immaculately clean A train subway car. The A is always so horribly crowded, that this was actually a rare site , so I took an opportunity to snap a picture of my Subway Studio.

I was in a good mood today and sketched a lot of people and literally gave the sketches away to them. I sometimes do this as a way of spreading "good will" on the subway and making it a pleasant commute for the passengers. I also use it as a promotional opportunity for my own business as I have my contact info written on the picture.
I met this two people, a brother and sister, from Israel , who were visiting their family in Far Rockaway, and they both had PERFECT faces for drawing. I usually DONT ask people to pose for pictures on the subway, but couldn't resist this time. They happily agreed, and here they are!
I'm NOT the greatest photog as dive stated before, and the train was moving when I shot the sister. The train had stopped when I shot the brother, and I even did a close up of the pic itself.

I gave them both a flyer and asked them to spread my fame in Israel. They promised they would, and it would be a kick to one day get a request for a gift caricature from their country. It COULD happen.

These pictures arent my usual hyper exaggerated caricatures that you've come to know and love. At the time I was really trying to go for likeness more than extreme. One rule about doing extreme caricature is this> If you think you've already exaggerated the picture, do it a little MORE . Its the "MORE" that pushed you over the edge.

Coors Brewing Compnay Porter House Gig SPECIAL Shout out to Thomsons Art Supply Inc

Overall the praty was great . A lot of the guys got drunk really fast and began requesting my WILD caricatures. They were literally THROWING eacth other in the hair to be drawn. I managed to get some shots of what I did , but as usual I was more into the drawing than the photography. I will get better...


Very very SPECIAL shout out to the folks at

Thomsons Art Supply Inc.
Located at

184 Mamaroneck Avenue
White Plains, NY 10601
http://www.thomsonsart.com/

It was like a dream come true. RIGHT across the street from my gig was this fantastic art store. Not only was the store very well stocked, but the staff was professional and courteous. Phil I draw primarily in pencil and Phil turned me on to the creatacolor NERO black lead for my mechanical pencil and let me tell you it's by far the DARKEST lead Ive ever used. It was perfect for my line drawing as these drawings are evidence.
According to the blurb on their website,the store is Centrally located in downtown White Plains, New York, Thomson's Art Supply has been serving the Westchester art community for over 75 years. Our 2 story establishment is overflowing with the finest artist materials, drafting supplies, hobby equipment and much more. By catering to the specialized professional and local art student base, we are able to provide the neighborhood with an extensive range of art resources.

My only regret is that the store is NOT in my neighborhood, but definitely worth the comute to get to!

Coors Brewing Company Gig at the Porter House in White Plains I get to meet Vladimir

I arrived early at the porter house and was delighted to find out there was a fabulous art store located right across the street from the bar!! immediately I rushed over and brought some last minute items for my gig and even managed to place some of my party contact info in the store itself.

The first person I met at the gig was my fellow caricature artist, Vladimir Bellvue.
Vladimir has, as we say in the caricature business, one of THOSE faces.... one of those faces that when you see it, your mind automatically starts speculating on how you can bend and stretch it. I was looking forward to drawing him as I make a habit to do with the artist I work with, and it's usually something the other artist enjoys too, since I also have "one of those faces'.
I introduced myself to Vladimir and noticed right away that he was exactly the armest individual.
"hi! my name is Elgin!'
Vladimir.
"wow! you've got a great face! I cant wait to draw you! Draw me too!
blank menacing stare
"er... how did you get here?"
train.
"er, how long you been doing this?"
ten years.

Okay... so he's not gregarious. No harm in that... Im maybe too talkie... still < I dont usually find caricature artists to be so...stoic. I immediately sat infont of him and started sketching his face and showed it to him.
Blank stare.

Okay...
As people began to come in , a couple sat in his chair and I immediately came up behind him to watch his technique. Perhaps he warms up when he's drawing, i thought. "mind if I watch?" I inquired, fully expecting to get my usual ,"sure" reply I get from other artists.
He looks at me with those deadpan eyes and says;
No. It's a little distracting..

And that was it.
For all you would be caricature artists out there, take notes. When you go to a gig and meet another artist... be friendly.The other artist is not your competitor. In fact, the other artist there can spur you on to be a BETTER artist and performer, regardless of your level of ability. Not to mention that we artsits sometimes refere people we like for other gigs which means M-o-n-e-y . A caricature artist who thinks someone watching is "distracting" is like a clown who doesnt want people laughing as he goes through his routine.

Here are my renditions of Vladimir Bellvue after he told me that I was "distracting".

Metro North Caricature 4:59 To White Plains

Dontinuing onward on my journey to the Coors Brewing Company gig at The Porter House in White Plains, I boarded the Metro North Express train that would have me at my gig in 20 minutes. I really enjoy riding Metro North the best. Their seats are comfortable and spacious and you can get an EXCELLENT view of fellow commuters.These were the best two faces I captures in 20 minutes.

Subway Caricatures 3:30pm Manhattan Bound A

I had a great gig yesterday for The Coors Beer Brewing Company at the Porter House Bar/Restaurant 169 Mamaroneck Ave in White Plains. I Did my usual "warm up" on unsuspecting commuters (heh heh) on my way over. The train was unusually crowded for an afternoon, but I managed to squeeze off a couple of "shots" here they are! BANG! BANG! Drawing on a very crowded train is always a challenge because people are constantly shifting catch their balance and avoid other passengers, and often times someone can step right infront of your victim and abstruct your view. Another added element is that sometimes my neighbors want to talk to me about the picture, or about how their cousin, aunt , grandmother, dog draws pictures too. This soetimes alerts my subject to my prescence and totally ruins the picture. I had to sketch these drawings in about 1 minute. The guy took a little longer as I kept going back to his face to modify it.