Caricatures for staff at the Misericordia Hospital

Wanting to put a human touch to one of the departments at the Misericordia Hospital here in Edmonton Alberta, I was hired to do caricatures. 

I overheard someone ask, "When have they done this before?" and the reply was, "They've never done this for us before!" 

I'm glad I could be a bright spot in their day! During their break they would come over and check out each other's drawings. They will be photocopied and hung in their hallway for their Open House (sorry I do not know the date or time). The staff will get their original drawing. Like I said, it will definitely add a human touch to the sterile environment. It's nice to know … That's What I Do! 

The gentleman holding his caricature was so much fun to draw. He had me laughing so much!

gentleman holding his caricature was so much fun to draw

caricatures o\for staff at the Misericordia Hospital here in Edmonton

Edmonton Artist - caricatures by Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures for LASIK MD's Company Picnic

What a beautiful day at Rundle Park with the staff from LASIK MD! 

I was a bit goofy because it had been a very cold morning and I didn't look at the weather forecast …

I'd remembered drawing at another event in the summer when it was overcast, windy and really cold. I'd had to pull out my winter coat from my vehicle. SO, thinking I was being really brilliant, I put on my long johns. Look at this first photo … yes, it's sunny! What was I thinking? Luckily I wasn't so hot that I was sweating or anything but it was rather crazy of me to think I needed long johns. They were thin long johns but still … long johns in September. NO, Edmonton is not that cold.

Oh, and I'd put HOT POCKETS in my shoes. 

I managed to have a good time even though I was overdressed.  I think I was the only one wearing glasses too....

Young couple with their caricatures

woman holding her caricature

What a great smile in this caricature

big smiles for these caricatures

Edmonton artist caricatures by Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at the Good Samaritan Corporate Office

Drawing caricatures at the Good Samaritan Corporate Office and I had too much fun to just post one example from the morning!
I was trying out a new drawing set up so I was a bit nervous for the first few minutes. I've been using a drawing table that always felt a bit too low and the drawing board area itself not quite big enough. I felt that I was getting too much neck pain afterwards from looking up and down a lot. I'm hoping that my new easel will be the charm! So far so good!

Woman at Good Samaritan Edmonton with her caricature

Man at Good Samaritan Edmonton with his caricature

Woman at Good Samaritan Edmonton holds her caricature

Man at Good Samaritan Edmonton looks pleased with his caricature

Woman at Good Samaritan Edmonton with her caricature

Edmonton artist caricatures by Laurel Hawkswell

Face Painting for a company's family event

So often I forget to take photos of my face painting. It's my mission to do better in that respect. So on that note, 
here are a couple photos from a recent company's family event. I crop the photos on purpose so that the child's
privacy is kept, even though I have asked their parent if I would be allowed to take their photo to be able to show
as an example of my work.

Edmonton Girl with face painted during a family picnic

face painting for a corporate family event

Edmonton artist  Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures for AIT Client Services

A fantastic day at the park for AIT Client Services Staff Picnic this past week. So nice to sit and draw people on a beautiful, sunny day. I hope I added to the enjoyment of the day. People enjoyed sitting down for their own caricature and many people would pop over ever once in awhile to see how everyone else's caricature was turning out. The plan was to photo copy them and hang them up in an office hallway and everyone then gets to take the original home. A great way to liven up and lighten up any work place!

woman with caricature

a man holds his caricature

Edmonton artist caricatures by Laurel Hawkswell

Back to Draw at The Radisson Again!

Drawing for more of the staff at The Radisson Hotel in South Edmonton. It's so nice to be asked back and to see many familiar and friendly faces.

It was also a very special day for the staff and one little girl …. Jessie was officially given her wish from the Children's Make A Wish Foundation of a trip to Disneyworld because of the generous donations from staff and clientele at The Radisson Hotel, South Edmonton. Not only that, but they gave her a Disney princess suitcase and other princess treasures. She is one deserving little girl because of her health issues over her 6 years. This summer she became tracheotomy tube free! 

I'm glad Jessie sat down for me to draw her caricature too.

I have donated my time to do caricatures at a Fundraiser that Jessie's mom has put on to benefit The Stollery Children's Hospital here in Edmonton. So when I saw Jessie and her mom and realised how special this day was for her, I was thrilled to be able to be there! And how wonderful it was for the staff to meet the little girl that they fundraised for, making her wish come true. Have fun in Disneyworld Jessie!

Woman with her caricature at The Radisson Hotel in South Edmonton

Chef holding caricature at The Radisson Hotel in South Edmonton

Jessie! what a cute caricature

Staff woman at The Radisson Hotel in South Edmonton

Edmonton artist caricatures by Laurel Hawkswell

A Busy Weekend

I drew caricatures at Pineridge Golf Course Clubhouse a few days ago and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Lots of great couples, one couple who was getting married the next day there at the club house and another that were celebrating their 38th Wedding Anniversary that night. Glad I could give them a little something extra to mark the day/weekend! Unfortunately I forgot to take any pictures. I sure wish I had. 

Today I face painted at Ol' MacDonalds Resort, Alberta. Again, forgot to take any pictures. I don't know where my blog brain was?! I painted for Elite Integrity Services at their weekend company camp out. They had a Jumpy Thing, a Balloon Artist and myself face painting. 

Then back into Edmonton to draw caricatures at a wedding reception on the North side! Here are a few photos from the evening. My favourite moment, the big bear hug type huge I got from the bride's mom! Talk about feeling appreciated!

Today, bring on Snow Valley's Annual Tent Sale! I'll be there 12 - 4PM drawing caricatures.  $5 for a caricature and the proceeds go to the Edmonton Humane Society.

Bride and Groom Caricature at their wedding reception

Woman enjoys her caricature 

wedding guest with her caricature 

Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricature Drawings at Snow Valley tent sale - I'll be a vendor

I will be drawing caricatures at the Edmonton Snow Valley Ski Resort for their Summer Tent sale. Drop by and say hello and get your caricature drawn or buy your gear for the Ski and Snowboarding season.

I will be a vendor at Snow Valley's Tent Sale

Bring the family down to see what the stores have left of last year's stock! From skis and snowboards to boots and coats, selection will be vast and the savings huge. We'll also have fun for the kids and other activities. Plus you can pick up your 2013-14 Seasons Pass for 15% off for the entire month of August. Here are just a few of the attending shops...

Happy Customer at Snow Valley's tent sale last year

Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at North Edmonton Seniors Centre for Cartoon Drawing Classes

I drew caricatures at the North Edmonton Seniors Centre (7524 - 139 Avenue) to promote my cartooning class I'm instructing in the fall. Why not sign up for the class too?! The class is on October 23rd, 2013, 9:30 a.m.to 2:30 p.m 

Here are some favourite drawings. Hope you enjoy them too!

caricatures at the North Edmonton Seniors Centre

promoting my cartooning class October 23rd, 2013, 9:30 a.m.to 2:30 p.m 

Cartoon drawing classes by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricature in Mundare, Alberta for Servus Credit Union

I drew caricatures in Mundare, Alberta this past weekend for Servus Credit Union. 

I had a really nice welcome right off the bat with a nice, young boy about 10 years old willing to help me unload my supplies (tent, chairs, signs, small table, and all my drawing stuff). I truly had a great afternoon drawing lots of freckly kids and some of their parents. 

There are a lot of photos here because I told the kids that I would post their photos on my blog. I can't go back on my word! If I take a photo of someone under 18, I always ask their parents if I can take their photo and that I might put it on my blog as an example of my work. I don't think I've ever had someone say, "No, I rather you didn't." Thank you to everyone over the years who have let me take their photo with their caricature…. it's been my pleasure doing it for you.

A big  THANK-YOU to Mundare Servus Credit Union for having me at this year's big Mundare Days.

Mundare teen with here caricature

boy with his caricature

girl holding here caricature

I like this caricature

Mundare girl holding up her caricature

Edmonton Artist, caricatures by Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures for a unit at The Grey Nuns Hospital

This past week I was asked to come in to do caricatures for a unit at The Grey Nuns as part of their staff moral initiative. 

This team are an important one - they sterilise all the surgical equipment. I was able to go in during the work day, although I had to be there by 7:15 a.m. mind you! I almost felt like I was working a regular work day like everyone else. I was there early to be able to hit the tail end of the night shift then get the later shift.

It was a really enjoyable day. Nice people.

Caricatures for staff at The Grey Nuns Hospital

Caricatures for woman at The Grey Nuns Hospital Edmonton

another Caricatures for woman at The Grey Nuns Hospital

Edmonton Artist, Caricatures by Laurel Hawkswell

Wedding Anniversary Caricatures!

I drew caricatures at an anniversary party recently. It was a great addition to a party where people are enjoying a good meal and chatting. 

I love how I was able to get their smiles to the max! Still happy after many years of marriage. 

Way to go!

Wedding anniversary party Caricatures

Edmonton Artist, caricatures by Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures for Husky's 75th Anniversary Party in Lloydminister

I was asked to go to Lloydminster recently to draw caricatures for Husky at their big 75th Anniversary party.

They had music, cotton candy and other goodies, face painting, juggling, magic and ME doing caricatures. Something for everyone. Man, they sure know how to throw a party! The only thing that would have made the trip perfect, was if the Starbucks had been open when it was all wrapped up so that I could have treated myself to a Chai Latte for my drive home to Edmonton!

Lloydminster couple with caricature

Alberta Artist, Caricatures by Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at a Birthday Party

Most of us have been at those parties for friends or family who's children are having a birthday. 

I was doing face painting AND caricatures at a birthday party today and parents that brought their kids were pleasantly surprised when they themselves were treated to face painting and a caricature! 

Here is my favourite from the day! ...

Birthday party guests with their caricature

Edmonton Artist, caricatures by Laurel Hawkswell

I forgot to post this so, now I am blogging it

I will be doing caricatures (well I did caricatures) at the Estée Lauder counter at The Bay, Southgate on Friday evening, July 26th for the launch if their Advanced Night Repair serum. The ladies are taking bookings for the evening caricature line up with any purchase. So head on over to The Bay at Southgate and see them at the Estée Lauder counter.

I liked my signs for Estee Lauder so, I'm posting this late..

Caricatures at a Tim Horton's Staff Picnic

I had the opportunity to draw caricatures for a Tim Horton's Staff Picnic this past weekend and got to draw my second cousin's granddaughter! I found out that I had drawn her and her mom at a company Christmas party this past December and non of us realised it. 

Of course my beverage was served in a Tim Horton's cup and I heard that there were Tim Bits to enjoy. The classic Canadian Picnic! It was a cold day so once I was done, I stopped in at one of their locations at the top of the hill from Hermitage Park to grab a tea and a few Tim Bits myself …. I hadn't had time to eat, busy drawing of course.

In these examples from the day, I loved how this young guy's hair turned out. You can't see it as much with him facing straight ahead in the photo but he really did have this cool hair! 

And the next photo is of my cousin … would she be a fourth cousin if she's my 2nd cousin's granddaughter? I have no idea how that works. We're family anyway, that's all the detail we need to know. Such a treat to be able to draw her.

young woman with her caricature

boy (with great hair) holds his caricature

Edmonton Artist, Caricatures by Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at The Summer Village of West Cove

The Summer Village of West Cove was celebrating their 50 years as a lake community with face painters, a mechanical bucking bull, a parade, yummy food and caricatures! Later in the evening they were going to have fire dancers and a community dance. They know how to celebrate! I feel pretty lucky to get to meet nice people on a continuous basis when being hired to do caricatures at events. Here are a few of them ….

Football fans with their caricatures

young couple holding their caricature

Alberta Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at a Farm Wedding

A good night with lots of great people, drawing caricatures at a wedding reception held on a family farm. I thought it was really cool how they had it under a big tent and the bows on the tent and on the chairs were made of burlap. 

Getting there a bit early, I got to listen to the speeches. Funny how, even though I may not know the people personally, I still enjoy listening to them. It also gives you a chance to kind of know who you'll be drawing for that evening. On this night, the bride's dad made me laugh out loud! 

I got to draw the bride's mom with her siblings, the bride's 93 year old grandpa, a couple celebrating their 40th anniversary that same night, the groom's mom and dad finally made it to my chair as well, just to name a bunch. I liked how the bride's grandpa came by every once in awhile to take a look at what I was drawing and he'd smile. THAT sure was a good feeling for me.

Here are a couple of my favourite drawings. The bride and groom got a chance to sit down at the end of my night. What a good looking couple hey … and nice on top of it! I wish them much love and success in life.

Groom and Bride with their caricature

wedding guests hold their caricature 

Alberta Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures for Estée Lauder

I drew caricatures for Estée Lauder at The Bay, Southgate in July. I was able to draw a few staff members but the customers were pleasantly surprised to get a complimentary caricature along with their products.

Edmonton couple with their caricature

Woman holds her caricature at The Bay Southgate

Woman smiles while holding her caricature

Edmonton Artist, Caricatures by Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures for The Radisson Hotel

I had a blast drawing caricatures for The Radisson Hotel Friday. First for their customers and suppliers at their Appreciation Breakfast and then a bit later for their Staff Appreciation Lunch. I'm not used to drawing at functions at 7 a.m. but they made it enjoyable. It was a cool morning and we were set up outside so luckily one of the ladies had a wrap I could borrow. The wind was a bit of a challenge as well but it went well anyway.

All the staff I drew were so kind, happy to get one and enjoyed watching each other get a caricature. I hope to draw for them again sometime in the future!

Man with his caricature

Woman holding her caricature

Cheff displays his caricature

Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell