Kiwanis Place Carnival caricatures: Edmonton Artist Laurel

I drew caricatures for the residents at Kiwanis Place during their Carnival. The weather was perfect and the Recreation Coordinator had some really neat things for everyone. The petting zoo was a huge hit and I was really busy drawing as well.

I’d never been to a senior’s residence event where there was a petting zoo and judging from the amount of people petting the animals … what a brilliant idea! Here are some of my favourites from the day. Residents and staff. The lovely lady in the hat is small in stature so it was fun to draw her down at the bottom of the paper. I think she was the one to give me the idea actually! We laughed together when I showed it to her and I got the best hug from her too! I’m thankful that one of the gentlemen took the time to take a photo of the two of us and send it to me.

 The photo of the two ladies is pretty neat because it is a mother/daughter team. Her mom is almost 104 years old. I said, “I’m sure you get tired of hearing this question but, what is your secret?” She said, “Oh, I have no more secrets!” Her daughter said, “Hard work, right mom!” Her mom was so neat to talk to! Such a great afternoon for me!

[to email Laurel DOUBLE-CLICK here>>> EMAIL_Laurel ]
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Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Edmonton Event Caricatures: Artist Laurel

It just hit me how many different kinds of smiles there are out there and how many I’ve captures on paper! Smiles and eyes are almost like fingerprints - no two seem to be exactly alike. It’s fun when you can draw someone’s and you say to yourself, “Ya! I got it! That’s them alright!”

And kids … it’s funny when their parent will say, “Okay, smile!” and they give you the most fake smile imaginable. So you accept it but you don’t draw it and before you know it, that fake smile relaxes and you finally get a glimpse of the real one. I’m getting pretty good at spotting the fake ones.

But the best smiles are the ones you get when you show people their caricature!

[to email Laurel DOUBLE-CLICK here>>> EMAIL_Laurel ]
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See Edmonton Artist Laurel @hilaurel on: Facebook or Twitter or Instagram

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Company Picnic Caricature Gifts: Edmonton Artist Laurel

It was my second year back at A & B Rail’s company picnic! It was a warm afternoon at Laurier Park and staff and families played a friendly game of baseball. I drew caricatures and even did some repeats from last year. Drew someone’s daughter who’d since had her braces taken off so of course there was a need for a new caricature! One young guy showed me the drawing I’d done of him last year from his phone, “Yup, you’ve changed since last year! You definitely look older!” Here are a few of my favourites from the day. I always appreciate people letting me take their photo with their caricature.

The Chef gets a caricature

A good character

Caricatures make good staff gifts

[to email Laurel DOUBLE-CLICK here>>> EMAIL_Laurel ]
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See Edmonton Artist Laurel @hilaurel on: Facebook or Twitter or Instagram
Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Family Caricatures in Colour! Edmonton Artist Laurel

Still loving my Cintiq Companion artist’s tablet for doing coloured art work! Giving a clean, professional coloured caricature now makes it feel like years ago since I was doing them with markers. Thank goodness those days are gone. No more marker lines, accidental smudges that make me have to start from scratch. Now the shading quality is lovely and I’m proud to give this kind of final art piece. This way the final digital copy is also an option for the recipient. Here are a couple final pieces ready to be picked up…

100% Customised Family Caricatures

[to email Laurel DOUBLE-CLICK here>>> EMAIL_Laurel ]
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See Edmonton Artist Laurel @hilaurel on: Facebook or Twitter or Instagram

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Staff Appreciation Party Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel

It’s so much fun drawing curls and this lady has the most fabulous hair! Showing curls without getting to caught up in the details of all of it is tricky sometimes. I was really pleased with this one. This was drawn at a Staff Appreciation Party. Goodies, good hearted conversation and everyone enjoying seeing each other's caricatures!

Caricature fun at a staff party

[to email Laurel DOUBLE-CLICK here>>> EMAIL_Laurel ]
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See Edmonton Artist Laurel @hilaurel on: Facebook or Twitter or Instagram

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Birthday Party Caricatures: Edmonton Artist Laurel

Caricatures are a great idea for birthday parties. They are enjoyed by all ages and make great “treat bag” take home gifts. They are more of a keepsake than a bag of candy and dollar store toys!

This is a photo of the older siblings of the birthday girl. A nice treat for them as well.

Caricatures are a great idea for birthday parties

[to email Laurel DOUBLE-CLICK here>>> EMAIL_Laurel ]
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See Edmonton Artist Laurel @hilaurel on: Facebook or Twitter or Instagram
Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at EPS Victim Services Unit Advocates Volunteer Appreciation: Edmonton Artist Laurel

Edmonton Police Service Victim Services Unit Advocates held it’s annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon and I was lucky enough to be asked to draw caricatures. An afternoon of talking with people who volunteer on the Crisis Line, go out to council and care for victims of violence, help grieving families in any way they can, etc. Amazing people. When groups of people said they wanted to be drawn with their “team” it was pretty special. They support others and they support each other. There definitely are good people out there in our world. Here are just a few of them and the caricature I drew for them today…

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon

[to email Laurel DOUBLE-CLICK here>>> EMAIL_Laurel ]
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See Edmonton Artist Laurel @hilaurel on: Facebook or Twitter or Instagram

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at City Hall Plaza for FCM in Edmonton

I drew caricatures in the front of City Hall for the Mayor’s Reception for the FCM Conference (Federation of Canadian Municipalities). It is an annual event held in different locations in Canada and the largest Canadian gathering of elected municipal leaders. I was really proud of my city, Edmonton, and the nice reception put on by the organizers. Danny Hooper and his band played and sang. It seemed very fitting because Danny Hooper is an Edmonton institution! Food, drink and caricature artists. It was a really interesting night meeting people from all over the country. New Brunswick, Toronto, Nunavut and my personal favourites … my aunt and uncle! My uncle is a Councillor in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan.

It was perhaps my most successful line of people waiting in the respect that I could hear people talking to each other. Introducing themselves and asking where the other person was from. I think I should put a “Talk To Each Other” rule in all my future line ups! People didn’t mind waiting because they were having good conversations.

My Uncle at the FCM 2015 in Edmonton

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell