Caricature
Caricature has long been an important part of cartooning, particularly editorial cartooning, where a recognizable face can sometimes communicate more than a page of words. The challenge is knowing what to exaggerate, what to leave alone, and how far a likeness can be pushed without losing the person behind it. It’s an art form that has been used for centuries in humor, satire, and social commentary.
My fascination with caricature began when I was a youngster and somehow acquired a copy or two of Playboy magazine. While some of my friends may have been studying the centerfolds, I was completely mesmerized by the celebrity caricatures. I especially loved it when I could find the December issue, which featured a collection of the year’s best celebrities, all in caricature. I’d trace the drawings, save them, and study the wonderful ways those artists exaggerated familiar faces. Eventually, some of that style began finding its way into my own work.
I also grew up during the Nixon years, when the president himself seemed to be a walking caricature. With that face appearing in newspapers and on television every day, how could I possibly resist drawing it?
Caricature remains one of my favorite forms of artistic expression. This collection features a selection of my work, from humorous portraits to illustrations of familiar faces.
Selected Works
Terry Gilliam of Monty Python
Edgar Oliver, actor & playwright
Dolly Parton
Fred LeBlanc of Cowboy Mouth
Jim Morrison
Agnes Moorehead as Endora
Caricature has taught me to look beyond the obvious when drawing a face. It’s not simply a matter of exaggerating someone’s nose, ears, or chin, but discovering those little characteristics that make a person instantly recognizable. I’ve always enjoyed the challenge of finding that balance between likeness and distortion, and I think it’s influenced the way I approach portraits, illustration, and even some of my fine art.
