Window Painting at Westworld Computers for the 2013 Christmas season

I was back at Westworld Computers Edmonton again to paint their windows for Christmas. I think this might be my 5th or 6th year Window painting for them! Each time I try and put a slightly different twist on the design. I’d like to think that I don’t paint the exact same thing - at least I try not to!

While I was painting today one of the sales managers joked that after I leave he was going to sign his name to all of the windows and take all the credit. And he dared me to make “a bad Santa”. Oh I can’t do a bad Santa, that’s just not me … and Santa is too awesome.

I was happy with them. I think this little Elf, his smile looks a bit like a cheshire cat!

Christmas Elf 

The Santa brings a smile to my face. Santa usually does! I love the rollie pollie the snowman is. I generally have a bit of a hard time drawing reindeer but I like the big, quirky smile on this reindeer.

Go in and see the friendly staff at Westworld.

Santa

Edmonton Westworld Christmas window painting

Westworld Computers Snowman with iPad for Christmas

Edmonton Westworld Christmas window art

Edmonton Westworld Computer Mrs Claus with MacBook Air for her Christmas gift

 Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures for INTUIT's Family Christmas Party 2013

It was nice to be back drawing caricatures for INTUIT again this year for their annual Family Christmas Party. 

Boys at Christmas party hold their caricature

Oh I had such fun! Take a look at some of my favourites … These three little boys were adorable! They sad so nicely for me, polite and look how cute they are! This couple was so great to draw. I drew the man first and was laughing so much myself because I was tickled pink at how I’d captured his great smile. 

Smile! a couple hold their caricature

After the event was over, another caricaturist and I were chatting about how there’s nothing like the feeling when you feel like you really captured somebody! That’s how I felt with theirs.

 Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Christmas Window Painting Galore at Western GMC

Two days of painting the majority of the windows at Edmonton's Western Buick GMC! Along with the decorations that staff had already put up, the place is now really festive. It matches the amount of snow we now have!

It was an interesting day today because I had to really control myself and focus on painting. I’ve got a tight Christmas window painting schedule so I had to paint when I really wanted to just go play Fangirl and watch SiriusXM have a live broadcast “Hockey Night in Canada”. I got a quick look at Craig Simpson, Dave Lumley, and Jason Strudwick there. At least I got to hear the broadcast as I was painting. It was kinda cool! Too bad it was in the middle of the day so it was hard for people working to get to stop by. I mentioned to my daughter who was there and she said, “Cool! Good thing you dressed up today.” … as I stood there in my paint clothes.

It’s always nice to be asked back to paint at Western GMC.

Christmas Window Painting at Edmonton Western GMC

Santa Window Painting

 Window Painting by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at a Surprise 40th Birthday Party

I recently had the pleasure of drawing caricatures at a Surprise 40th Birthday party that was being hosted in someone’s home.

It’s fun to see the surprise on people’s faces when they find out that they get to have a caricature done!

You don’t go to a house party thinking you’re going to go home with a caricature!


Here is one of my favourites from the evening. As always... I wish I’d taken more photos that night.

 Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at Hudson Bay, Southgate Centre for their Gala Event

I went from one caricature event to anther today. My second event was drawing at The Bay, Southgate. I think this was my third or fourth time being asked back to The Bay to draw. It was great to see lots of familiar and friendly faces - the staff. But actually there were a few people who stopped by to say hello: a couple who I’d done big, stand up caricatures for their wedding reception, as well as a chef from the Edmonton Hotel and Convention Center who I’d drawn at one of their events. It truly was nice to see them, that they took the time to stop and say hello.

Some memorable moments from my day of drawing: 

The lady in the sari in one of these photos is just visiting from India and was looking forward to bringing her caricature home with her. I think it’s kinda cool that my caricatures will be in India!

Another lady said, “I can’t believe the lady who was being drawn before me didn’t talk, I can’t stop talking!” (speaking of herself). Too funny! I think she enjoyed herself.

Yet another lady said, “This is something, it’s like you’re looking into me.” She meant it as a compliment. I was pleased that people see the effort I put into trying to capture them.

Another person said that getting a caricature was something on their bucket list. Glad I could help check one item off it!

Putting them on Facebook, framing them, bringing them home to India. No wonder I love this job!

 

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at a Children's Company Christmas Party

I drew some pretty awesome kids today at a company Christmas party at Egge’s Barn at Fort Edmonton. Here are just a few. This was my first Christmas party of the 2013 season. It’s gonna be quite the ride till I get to Christmas. Look for lots of examples of my work throughout the season on my blog.

Oh, and on a different note, I was walking to my vehicle and couldn’t get over how beautiful it was outside. The recent snow has made the scenery absolutely gorgeous down at Fort Edmonton and along the river valley. Ya, we have to deal with the snowy roads but on a bright, sunny day … it’s a post card out there folks!

young man with his caricature

Caricature at corporate Christmas party

young woman with her caricature

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at Hudson Bay Southgate

Caricatures at Hudson Bay Southgate Centre Edmonton I will be drawing caricatures for the Hudson's Bay Cosmetic Department. Why not pick up your holiday supply and then get your caricature drawn. stop by and say Hi if you're in the neighbourhood it's a public event

Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at Hudson's Bay Edmonton Event

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Window Painting

Window Painting at the Westin Hotel for Canadian Finals Rodeo

I guess it is window painting season!  I was at the Westin hotel for CFR40 how exciting that it is the 40th anniversary of the Canadians Final Rodeo.  There were a lot of activities around town and everyone seemed to be having fun too.

Window Painting for CFR40 at Westin Hotel Edmonton

First Christmas Window Painting of the 2013 Season

I was in at the Edmonton Hotel and Convention Centre to paint windows to finish off their Christmas 

decorating. They have a long line of windows visible from their entrance all the way down a hallway that leads to elevators to rooms as well as to their dining room. For this reason, the fact that so many guests  see the windows from the inside, my style of window painting is good. Good in that I try and make it as tidy and attractive to look at on the inside as it is from the outside. This is also the first time that I’d  painted words that are readable from the inside and out. I think doing them in different colours made it work out well. I’m very proud of all the windows and hope they make many of their guests smile.

Reindeer

my First Santa for 2013

Love

Santa's Helper Elf

the Halls at 

Edmonton Hotel and Convention Centre

Edmonton Hotel and Convention Centre doors

Window Painting Artist Laurel Hawkswell

More Coloured Group Caricatures!

I delivered another group of coloured caricatures to happy recipients! I enjoyed drawing and colouring these. Some of the caricatures were live - in other words, I went to their company and drew half the employees and then the others who weren't available that day had photos emailed to me. A little twist, or addition to my usual background … I added a few swooshes of green to the blue background and I think it turned out kinda cool! 

Yes, I'm still doing coloured caricatures by hand, which means continuously purchasing coloured markers. Part of me wants to jump into the tablet world and add colour that way and print out the coloured version but then part of me enjoys the look of these caricatures where you can see the swoosh of the colours here in and there. Almost like seeing a paint brush stroke. I'm torn between the two worlds. Anyone out there have an opinion to my dilemma?

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist

Caricatures for Edmonton Company

Group Caricature

Caricatures at the Pop Culture Fair

Couple at Edmonton Pop Culture Fair

love the toque, red hair and freckles

Another great day at the October 2013 edition of The Pop Culture Fair! There seemed to be ten times as many people
walking around dressed up in costume. Some pretty amazing, some pretty amusing. I really slipped today, only took
one photo at the event and was lucky enough to have another photo sent to me. 

Here's a nice couple who was a pleasure to talk to. 

I drew two ladies who were full of positivity. What a great vibe.

And my favourite … love the toque, red hair and freckles! Wish I had an orange marker.

Caricatures at Edmonton Event Pop Culture Fair by Edmonton Artist

Caricatures at Alberta Pensions Services Corporation

I enjoyed my time today drawing caricatures for a group at Alberta Pensions Services Corporation.
This was a favourite. What fun it was to draw her awesome hair style and her great smile!

drawing caricatures in Edmonton Alberta

caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Enbridge 2013 United Way Campaign window painting

I was back at Enbridge again this year to paint their windows for their annual United Way campaign.
I take the art that the United Way gives them. The Enbridge employees and contractors do an amazing job of raising money for this great cause.

Window painting for Enbridge United Way campaign

Window painting by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Alberta Conference Caricatures

I spent some time this past week doing forty odd caricatures for a conference. The coolest part was when I was drawing a bunch in one sitting and I clicked on yet another photo and there, to my surprise, was someone I knew! 

It was fun, yet a bit nerve wracking drawing his caricature because I really wanted it to turn out well. I'm looking forward to hearing what he thought of it! 

The strange thing about drawing caricatures from photos is if I happen to see one of these people out and about one day. I've studied their face, coloured their face but don't actually know them!

caricatures for an Alberta conference

Collage of Caricatures from Conference

Caricatures by Alberta Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at the Edmonton Valley Zoo for World Animal Day

I  drew a lot of families today at the Edmonton Valley Zoo! The zoo's special event was World Animal Day.   Events were happening all around the world! 

I was in the Learning Lair at the zoo. It's a very small building with doors that slide wide open. It wasn't the warmest day (but not the coldest either) but I had planned on NOT being as cold as I have been in the past in there. I brought our heater from home and had it about 2 feet away from my feet. It was wonderful! As you can imagine, it's not fun trying to draw if you're cold, especially your hands of course. I'm so glad I brought it. Made my day quite enjoyable! 

Here's a nice family I got to draw. Notice the little girl totally enthralled with her mom's phone? She's not the only one who's pulled out her phone to get her child to stay still. It works pretty well but they they tend to not only look down but put their head down too. I guess it kinda works after you've finished drawing their eyes. I drew some pretty adorable kids today!

There was one young couple I drew and I asked them, "What brought you to the zoo today without kids?" and the girl said, "I just really like animals." There's nothing wrong with that. In fact, it's pretty nice!

nice family, I got to draw their caricature at Edmonton Zoo

Edmonton Artist, Caricatures by Laurel Hawkswell

Stand Up Sign - Blog Post number 400

Introducing Paddy McInnes

Introducing Paddy McInnes

Paddy McInnes has been created as a new employee at Agriculture Industry Extension and Training Branch (Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development). He is being introduced to put a friendly face to the department. They wanted to remind their customers that when you call in for service, you are talking to folks that want to help and are doing their best for you. 

I hope Paddy McInnes adds character and warmth to their day.

Sign by Alberta Artist Laurel Hawkswell

this is Blog post 400 - a milestone for me!

Finishing up Caricatures at The Grey Nuns

I was back to finish up caricatures for the staff in one of the departments at The Grey Nuns. This was one of my favourites for sure! It was nice to go back in and see lots of friendly, familiar faces! 

So now they are going to photocopy, reduce them a bit and put them in small frames to hang up in their staff room. Should be a fun looking wall.

caricatures for staff member at The Grey Nuns Hospital Edmonton

Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at the Fort Saskatchewan Fall Festival

The Fort Saskatchewan Downtown Business Council invited me back again this year to draw at their Fall Festival.

It was a bit windy which made it tricky for me at times, but it was a morning and afternoon of caricatures and a long line  up. 

As you can see, I saw some great smiles today and met some nice people. Another good day!

A young lady holds her caricature

this young mand shows us his caricature

a Fort Saskatchewan couple with their Caricature 

Interesting Things People Do With My Caricatures

Interesting Things People Do With My Caricatures

Interesting Things People Do With My Caricatures

I popped in at The Misericordia Hospital and they showed me one more thing they did with my caricatures …

personalized locker labels! Not only will they hang in their main hallway but they their lockers. It looked pretty neat all hanging together like that. It's great that they're having so much fun with it. A fun thing would be to see one of the lady's faces when she comes back from holidays and sees her caricature on her locker ( I did it from a photo of those who were away on holidays and the rest were done there at the hospital ).

thanks for Reading my Blog

Edmonton Artist, Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at a Birthday Celebration

I had a great night drawing caricatures at a birthday party. The women wore absolutely gorgeous saris, even the little girls! They had a group of Chinese Dancers come in to perform, Choo Choo the Clown, me doing caricatures and Cosmin Danila taking photos (which I can't wait to see!). I'm not quite sure what else they may have had BEFORE all the above mentioned showed up.

This little girl was adorable. I wasn't sure if her hair was supposed to be this style or if a bunch of it on the one side had fallen out of a braid or barrett. Either way, it was so cute.

And this group of 4 guys I drew were awesome! Nice … and … awesome. One of the guys said he was going to frame it. Another one of the guys said to me, "This is great, it's something that everybody should do at least once in their lifetime." He's right!

group of 4 guys I drew were awesome

This little girl was adorable

Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Face Painting for Fraser Community League

Fraser Community League (NE Edmonton, Alberta) asked me to face paint for their community event. They had food and lots of games for the kids … as well as me face painting! 

This little guy loved his tiger face paint! He would come back every once in awhile to take a look at himself in my hand mirror. I would know each time because he would also growl as he looked at his face! Sure makes you smile when you know that someone likes what you painted for them that much.

They had a group of teenage girls volunteering and right near the end they came over to get some face painting. So they decided they wanted their legs done. I think seeing all of them here is pretty neat. I was glad to be able to do something cool for volunteers.

Body paint on girls leg at family picnic

This little guy loved his tiger face paint!

Teen girl with body paint on her leg

teen girl with flowers and swirls for bodypainting 

Teenage girl with bodyart painting at Edmonton Community League Event

Edmonton Artist by Laurel Hawkswell