Caricature Express

Sometimes people ask to see samples of my handpainted mats. The photos taken at events don’t really do justice to showing just how special the mats are. Each one is unique, and they really do look special. I make them myself, and I give them a lot of care.

So I focused in on Corners of some of the mats that I used today. That’s a way that framers show their products:

To Hire this Artist:
(516) 579-4706
optidust@gmail.com

Oh My Goodness. Yesterday I was looking forward to writing here
about my super-exciting weekend.
But now I’m already on to more more more
super-exciting things for the rest of THIS week.
Wow, this is Fun. Let me just see now if I can remember
all the stuff that happened lately.

Saturday. Drawing at a Communion. A man in the chair.
Some comments from the crowd about his ‘position’.
“And what position is that?” I asked. Turned out that
I was drawing the chairman of the Republican Party of Queens.
I recognized that they weren’t just fooling around
when I saw the professional way
he automatically held his Caricature for this photo -
like he was accustomed to ‘publicity shots’.
I looked him up on line just now. I think his name is Chairman Phil Ragusa.

Sunday, not officially booked. Overcast. So tired
because I got home after 2:00 a.m. from a Passover Seder.
But I forced myself to get up early
and get out into the world.
It’s just too easy to sleep through life
and then wonder why life is boring.
So I went to do my first Face-Painting in Central Park of the year.

But what happened? I had to cross Park Avenue
to get the the Park. Police were at every street corner.
And we absolutely were not allowed to cross the street.
From either side. “Why? Why?” I asked. “Because the Pope
will be riding along this way.

“Safety reasons” I was told.

“How long will it be?” I asked.

“As long as it take. Half-hour. Hour. I’m just to stay
on my of the street until I’m told…”

Initially frustrated. Tired.
When I suddenly realized that this was a momentous occasion.
How many people would have Loved to be here - right where I was!!!
I took out my camera-phone.
“Don’t let me miss it,” I said.

“He’s coming. He’s coming.”

Quick! Press the Camera-mode. Again. Options. Take Photo.
I got a motorcycle cavalcade.
Quick! Camera! Options. Take Photo. Press button.
Pause…………and…….Click! “Did I get it?
Was that the Pope?” I asked the woman who was next to me.

“Yes.” She was certain.

But I did not actually see him. Dagnabbit.
We never know if we’re making the right decision
until afterwards. I thought I’d at least be able to see
him in the photo, but, well, here it is:

Wonderful day continued. I felt special. I am part of
the New York scene. I am a New York Artist.
Loooonng day. I remembered the experience of
being out there all day working the crowds.
Handling the other Street Artists. And the Authorities.
Gotta be tough to handle this. It’s not for the timid-hearted.

Went out to dinner with a friend after my Park experience.

Here are some of the pictures I drew at Saturday’s Communion:

I love this song -
Time of Your Life
by Green Day:

Another turning point;
a fork stuck in the road.

Time grabs you by the wrist;
directs you where to go.

So make the best of this test
and don’t ask why.

It’s not a question
but a lesson learned in time.

It’s something unpredictablev but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

So take the photographs
and still frames in your mind.

Hang it on a shelf
In good health and good time.

Tattoos of memories
and dead skin on trial.

For what it’s worth,
it was worth all the while.

It’s something unpredictable
but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

(instrumental)

It’s something unpredictable
but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

It’s something unpredictable
but in the end it’s right.
I hope you had the time of your life.

Now I’m focused on a very busy week.
So many gigs, I’ll even have to cut out
of the Dahn Mudo class that I love to go to.
Because that day I will be drawing for NYU.

Then, Thursday, I’ll be drawing the NYPD in Queens.
Saturday, it’s a Walkathon for the
Westchester SPCA. From which I’ll have to
pack up fast to get back to Oceanside
to draw at a Communion that same day.
And Sunday - it’s another Communion -
right here in Wantagh (where I live)!

I’m having the time of my life ~ We all are ~

To Hire this Artist:
(516) 579-4706
optidust@gmail.com

I just took photos off my phone.
They were taken at 2 recent events.

One was at a Public Library. I’ve worked at the Baldwin Public Library 2 years
in a row now - they have this special day set up for lots of fun events.
I like when I’m already known - when people rush right over
for their chance. I love my job.

The other was at a NYC Bat Mitzvah at the Citrus Restaurant.
I was downstairs with about fifty 13-year-olds.
They really had fun at this party. The dancing was so wild
because it was so ‘innocent’ - if that’s the word.
Brings me back to a time…..

I am so lucky for these opportunities
to interact with people of all ages.

To Hire this Artist:
(516) 579-4706
optidust@gmail.com

To Hire this Artist:
(516) 579-4706
optidust@gmail.com

Why am I spending my morning
just drawing pictures of people
who post their photos on the web?
I don’t know?

Well, it started like this.
First, I wanted to practice my 3/4 views -
so I looked for faces.
But on the page that showed an angular man in a
3/4 view, there was a more interesting photo
of a front-view man who was bubbled out with strong glasses, and…..

Okay. So now I’m going to get to sending out
literature, taxes, laundry, yoga…..

It’s all good.

To Hire this Artist:
(516) 579-4706
optidust@gmail.com