JT Art & Design Caricaturist from Naugatuck, CT

Hi everyone! Thanks for checking out my profile and considering my live caricature ( “portraicature”) services! During my nearly 20 years in the graphic design field full-time, I occasionally did some "side" portraits and caricatures, mostly for friends and family. But due to employment and design field changes, I am now a professional 5-star caricaturist, having drawn them regularly at hundreds of events since 2003, and since 2016 “full-time”. “You made me look better than I do" has been a phrase I have heard more than once, and then there are the teens describing my drawings as “accurate” with amazement....like they are shocked a caricature can actually LOOK LIKE the person! I have always loved to draw people in particular with a keen eye for distinct features enabling me to capture a true resemblance to my subjects, in a fun manner with often flattering results, decidedly different from a "cookie cutter”(indistinct cartoonish) or over-exaggerated style that is out there! Humorous or fun doesn't have to be hideous, right? A social person, I engage my customers whenever possible to create a relaxed, fun atmosphere! I am very energized while entertaining an enthusiastic group, and you will have a great experience and a great take-home "favor" to frame and keep for years, not just a day or a week. Nor will it be tossed in a drawer or with a temporary life, like other temporary or easily destroyed mini-sized favors I won't mention names of here ;-) In terms of my speed, I can realistically draw black-and-white simple line headshots in as little as 4 to 5 minutes per BW individual person… that is with retaining a true resemblance and not looking "Charlie Brown-like" (no offense to Charlie)! Full body or color (hobby/action poses) are a little bit longer than that. Minimum booking time-frames (discretionary 2 hours for most informal or smaller gatherings, but 3 hours for formal larger events or weddings) apply…based on $150 per hour, plus a travel stipend based on IRS allowance past 24 miles. I can also provide an additional artist or two if desired. If booking me alone, ask about my 3 hour or more package options, especially for larger events, which include 10% off total regular price of gig plus one or more “add-ons” which can include caricature commission, or custom caricature sign-in board, the most common options (or pretty much anything that can be ordered featuring a caricature of guest (s) of honor, or 5% off total regular price of gig plus commemorative drawing paper with caption and border. Please scroll through samples and check out some package “add-on” samples. Also, as of 2016, I carry liability insurance for those of you who may require it, or appreciate the security, as some others I know do not. A couple more tidbits....I had a few interesting “face” related experiences to share. In 2009, I was recommended by an agent and solely featured on a half hour CT cable access show spotlighting caricature art, where I discussed and demonstrated my art (see the video link here). This was a great experience, rivaling the portrait cookie decorating contest I was selected to complete in with a handful of other portrait artists, for Food Network's "Ham on the Street" taped in Norwalk, in the early 2000s, in which I was a winner (certainly not due to my frosting)! I also drew a local celebrity Teresa Dufour (host of News Channel 8 CT Style) live at a fundraising event and she shared the caricature on the show! Anyhow, thank you for reading, and I hope to draw you and your guests very soon!