back in at the Microsoft Store at West Edmonton Mall, to draw caricatures

I was invited back in at the Microsoft Store at West Edmonton Mall, to draw caricatures. I had been in a few times before Christmas so going back in seemed so familiar, which is nice for a caricaturist who seems to always head to new locations for events.

All the Microsoft Store staff are truly friendly and welcoming. I would gladly draw their every week if they’d hire me!

A great family, who I’d drawn a couple weeks ago, stopped and said hello. I drew a mom and her 3 children who were an absolute joy to talk to while I drew them. Another lady brought in her boyfriend, grown siblings and her dad, specifically to get a caricature done! I finished off my time there drawing these two sweet sisters …

I hope to be back at the Microsoft Store again soon. I’ll let you know next time I’ll be there!

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Last stop in at Microsoft for Caricatures

I had my last event in at Microsoft for the Christmas season and met a lot of great people. It was the night of gifts from several people of treats from Cookies by George. My son loved it because I brought them home for him since I’ve been too busy to exercise lately that I thought my son could burn off a cookie or two more than I could. It was so sweet of people to drop of a treat for me after I’d drawn their caricature.

 I drew a guy who’s mom I’d drawn at her company’s Christmas party a couple weeks ago! It’s a small world!

 Another lady had seen me drawing caricatures at The Edmonton Valley Zoo but the line up was too long so she was thrilled to be able to get one from me at the Microsoft Store.

 Take a look at this lovely little girl I drew with the colourful headband breads. What a dollie huh!

Friends with caricature  drawn by Edmonton Artist

Edmonton Artist Caricature at WEM

Friends hold their Caricature drawn by Edmonton Artist at Microsoft Store

Guy holds his Caricature drawn by Edmonton Artist

lovely little girl with her Caricature by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

I will be doing Caricatures at the Microsoft Store again on Thursday. Dec. 5th

Come check out the Microsoft Store at West Edmonton Mall on Thursday, December 5th, 2013. I’ll be there drawing caricatures 6 - 8 p.m. Here are a few of the one’s I did there the last time I was there. I had a great time meeting people from here in Edmonton, from the province and other’s from places like England. That’s the cool part about being in the mall, you meet all kinds of people visiting the mall. 

Edmonton Artist Caricature drawing of women at Microsoft Store WEM

Edmonton Artist Caricature drawing of man at Microsoft Store WEM

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Digital Caricatures at Microsoft Store West Edmonton Mall

My immense, intense learning curve day! It was my first time drawing caricatures on a tablet ... ever! Not in the comfort of my own home to practice up but in the Microsoft store at West Edmonton Mall. Hired to do caricatures, preferably on their Surface Pro. So, I dove right in and figured stuff out along the way. Drawing on Black Friday added to the crowd that's for sure. They had me set up at the back of the store with my sign at the front. By the time I was done I was feeling a bit more confident. I think I did OK.

 I will be back at the Microsoft in WEM store again:

Sunday, December 1, 3:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Monday, December2, 2 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Thursday, December 5, 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.
and one more date to be announced.

The Staff at the Microsoft Store were great. They helped me set up and had me email people their caricatures. A nice touch so that they didn't have an extra thing to carry around the mall with them. It was different for me to email rather than hand over a drawing ... a day full of new experiences and perhaps new beginnings for me!

aricature on Surface Pro Tablet at Microsoft Store WEM Edmonton

 Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures for a good cause

I was drawing caricatures for a good cause last night at one of West Edmonton Mall’s Banquet halls at the ABC Head StartProgram’s fundraising Magic and Masquerade Gala. They organised a really nice evening with a delicious meal, henna tattoos, palm readings, magic tricks, zombie “Thriller” dancers and of course …. me doing caricatures! I really need to make sure I bring my good camera to each event. Darned if this photo isn’t blurry BUT you can still get the basic gist of them and their caricature. The Henna lady and I did a swap at the beginning of the event before we got busy - I did a caricature of her husband and she gave me a shoulder henna tattoo! 

The ABC Head Start Program is currently in it’s 27th year of operation, ABC Head Start has grown steadily in response to community needs. With the help of over 80 volunteers, ABC Head Start has 23 classes in 13 schools throughout Edmonton that provide a preschool program and access to special services such as speech therapy in addition to weekly parent education and support groups. Events such as the Magic and Masquerade Gala helps raise awareness of the valuable work of their organization but is one of the main fundraisers for the program to help provide nutritious daily snacks (sometimes the first meal of the day for these children), early learning supplies, transportation, literacy development supplies and resource information for families in need and to help enrich the lives of those less fortunate who need ABC Head Start to ensure their success in learning and to help break the poverty cycle. Please visit their website at www.abcheadstart.com for more information about the organization.

Edmonton Artist

Edmonton caricature artist

Here is my latest thought....

THE START OF SOMETHIN’ ....

So I’m trying to find my way in this big ol’ web world, wanting to encorporate my optimistic (mostly) views and my art.  I’ve given myself permission to doodle a bit on topics that I can put into “The Obnoxious Optimist”.  The name may change
in the future but the idea will stay the same.


Here is my latest thought....

Hey, don’t ya just love my glasses! I do anyway.  My husband informed me that they are the same glasses that “Ugly Betty” wears/wore on the show.  Should I take that as a compliment?  Well, I wasn’t deterred from my intense love of my glasses anyway so I’ll take it as a compliment.... of sorts.  I love that I can change the sides.  I have three Interchangeable Temples to wear a different colour as my mood hits me (does one's glasses really have to match the their outfit?)

don’t ya just love my glasses!

These Glasses were bought at The Occulist at West Edmonton Mall in Edmonton Alberta (follow the Occulist on Facebook)  


My glasses were designed/imported from Denmark's Prodesign (mine were designed by  Freelance Designer Gail Spence)


Edmonton Artist - Laurel Hawkswell

Painting on-site at Framestudio open-house

Hi, I will be on-site painting at the Framestudio Customer Appreciation Day, on Saturday [September 29, 2007 between 2:00 - 4:00 PM.]

How to find Framestudio

Turn-off Anthony Henday at the West Edmonton Mall exit (87 Ave),

Framestudio is located in the strip-mall on your left after the Christian Reformed Churches (Covenant)

Turn left/north at the Mac’s Convenience Gas/Store

Please drop-in and talk to me about a painting/project for Christmas (or send me an email )

come in for Framing and Painting

Laurel Hawkswell