Sheraton Edmonton South staff Christmas party Caricatures

Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South had their staff Christmas party and asked me back to draw caricatures for them for a second year. Had a great time drawing these fun people! God, do I love creating this stuff! Thank you for letting me. 

Four Points by Sheraton Edmonton South had their staff Christmas party

back to draw caricatures for them for a second year

 

Had a great time drawing these fun people

 Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Paintings - A Palm Leaves canvas series

A painting series that belong together! 

This painting changed from having a lot of burgundies in it to just a hint of that. This, group of three, hangs in a family room that has a lot of windows and a view of trees, bushes, and grass. I see this painting as bringing the green inside as well. Once I brought the paintings over the the client’s home to see the change to lots of green, we knew it was right. This is something I would love to have kept myself! I guess that’s what I strive for in all my paintings - that I’m so happy with them that it’s hard to say good bye to them.

Painting for a private collection - Edmonton Alberta

Paintings by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

doodling for fun

So, it seems that when I sit down to doodle for fun (and getting more comfortable with drawing on my tablet) that I tend to draw kids. Like this little girl here. I'm not sure why but here is another one! I'm not sure if I managed to learn anything else while drawing this one specifically but last night I did learn how to use a couple more tools on the Sketchbook Pro program.

I promise I'll draw someone older next time! till then ...

Any suggestions?

A girl with her Dog

Graphic Art by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

My First Digital Caricature (From a Photo)

Very excited to show you my very first caricature (and coloured caricature at the same time!) using my new Cintiq Companion! It's been a long time coming. This is something I've wanted to be able to do for I don't know how long ... to be able to do a coloured caricature without having to use markers. The downside of using markers: they'd dry out, I was always running to the art store to buy new ones ... but the worst part was that I'd have it almost finished and I'd look and I'd have a marker smudge where I wasn't supposed to have one (marker would get on my hand and rub onto the page).

Of course drawing caricatures on the tablet is new and exciting as well. Drawing an initial sketch on the background layer then choosing the lines decide I want, on the top layer.

So welcome to my new world of digital caricatures! Still all me, all artistic, just crisper, cleaner, with better colour.

My first Digital Caricature

This caricature was done from a photo that was sent to me. I often do caricatures from photos. Sometimes they are just head and shoulder drawings like this one and other times they are full body drawings. I can include as little or as much detail about the person as you'd like. Of course the more detail it is, the more work it is and thus would cost more. People enjoy seeing all the little details about them that you (and I) have captured in the caricature.

Woman Model - Caricature from Photo

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Wacom Cintiq Companion

I received a Wacom Cintiq Companion from my husband for Christmas this year! It was just what I wanted! Just the thing I was hoping for for a couple years now. I'd felt stuck in an artistic rut. I was busier than I'd ever been work wise but as some of you may know, if you are self employed, taking time away from earning money to learn something new is a hard thing to do. During the learning process, we aren't being paid.

The Learning Curve Fear Monster

Roll up your sleeves and learn something new today

Happy New Year - first snowball fight of 2014

So a couple months before Christmas I had a conversation with my husband on how I wanted to get a
Wacom Cintiq tablet to start doing coloured caricatures ... and who knows what other art that would
come about from it. With no hesitation, he was all for it. He's a computer guy so another computer in the house is a good thing, besides something that could further my career is an even better thing! I've always thought of myself stronger in the drawing side of art than the computer side of art so getting
this new tablet was both exciting beyond belief AND scary beyond belief.

Since I opened it up and my husband got the feel of it for himself, to give me technical pointers (not artistic ones!) if I needed it, I've become increasingly in the mindset that I'm eager to see what this or that symbol will do. What if I try this or that. I am definitely in the infant stage with my Wacom Cintiq Companion but I am so excited for 2014. To look at my beginning work and what stage I'm at at the end of the year. I hope to post a doodle a day but please don't hold me to it, I may have a load of work to do at times where I can't do it ... after all, a big part of me is art but I believe in a balanced life: I like to do things with my family, exercise, the odd walk/coffee date with a friend, clean my house ... oh wait, that's on the list of "have to's" .... and I even want to try meditation this year.

So come along with me on my Cintiq Companion journey!

Graphic Art by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

My first caricature event of 2014!

Third year being back at the Snow Valley Staff Christmas Party in January. Nice to see familiar faces and new ones too.

The neatest thing of the night was a girl who I was drawing for the third time, said that her iPhoto face recognition feature on her computer actually recognized a photo of last year’s caricature as her face! How cool is that?!

Yesterday I drew husbands and wives, girlfriends and boyfriends, good friends that work together and at the end of the night I drew a couple of the staff at The Derrick Club who’d been working all night and walking past on a regular basis. Look how happy they were to get their caricature … they are the two girls doing the thumbs up.

Thank you Snow Valley, for having me back!

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Face Painting Fun!

Bring on the swirls and Christmas images!

This lovely Mother/Daughter photo is so sweet! The little girl didn’t want to get her face painted initially so I painted the mom’s face while her daughter sat on her knee and watched. Eventually the little girl was okay with cuddling up close to her mom while I painted a matching image on her. The result is priceless! 

 The second photo is new fun with rainbows and fabulous swirls. I can’t get enough of swirls on girls.

lovely Mother/Daughter photo with Facepainting

Edmonton Artist by Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures for Child Psychiatry Associates

Some fun stuff for the group at Child Pyschiatry Associates … individual caricatures that will also be turned into a mouse pad design for them! A unique idea!

Edmonton Artist Group Caricatures

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures for Boschman Construction's Company Christmas Party

A beautiful Christmas party at The Woodvale Community League for Boschman Contruction. Complete with beautiful decorations, buffet dinner,photographer, Coco the Clown, a visit from Santa and me doing caricatures! 

I drew a lady who I’d actually drawn for at her son’s 1st birthday party a couple months ago! She was at this party. 

There were some sweet kids, nice families and even a nice young lady who was working at the event who came to say hello at the end who thought it was cool that I was doing caricatures. She’d wished that she could just stand and watch instead of working. 

a Man holds up his Caricature

Caricature drawn at Edmonton Christmas party

Pointing at his Caricature drawn by Edmonton Artist

a couple with their caricatures

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

Caricatures at Pasticcio Trattoria

I drew caricatures at Pasticcio Trattoria for a company Staff Christmas Party. It was a cozy, warm place with a great atmosphere for visiting. From what I heard, their food was amazing, with food being served throughout the evening. I was busy drawing caricatures but I didn’t mind because nobody was in a rush, so it wasn’t a “get the lineup done” kinda event. What a treat! I chatted with some really nice people while I drew them.

 The two ladies pictured together just met each other that night yet I thought they were best friends till they told me that they had never met before the party.

The two ladies pictured together just met each

 The couple in the photo are engaged and told me the story of how he proposed. It was really special and I loved hearing it. THAT’S the kinda cool job I have!

Engaged Couple with their Caricature

 The picture with Nello, the owner of Pasticcio was a treat to draw for obvious reasons. He’s got quite the outstanding personality! Amy, the organiser of the party, wanted Nello to be drawn before we were done and I sure wanted to draw him from the minute I walked into the restaurant! Find Nello and his staff at 11520 - 100 Avenue in Edmonton. I intend to go in … maybe after Christmas when I take a bit of a break to recharge my artistic batteries!

Nello, the owner of Edmonton's Pasticcio 

Oh what fun it is to have a little moving canvas at children’s Christmas parties!

One little boy wanted a snake so I asked him if I could put a Santa hat on him. He came up with the idea of Santa’s beard too. Too funny! He and I enjoyed the process, chatting the whole time. I love painting on arms - more space that tiny little faces. As you can imagine, this little guy loved his snake.

Santa Snake Bodypainting at Christmas Party in West Edmonton Mall

This was the first time I’d done a snowman this way … down the middle of this little boy’s face. I thought it was fun! And how adorable it this little boy?!

Facepainting at Corporate Children Christmas Party - Fantasy Land hotel WEM Edmonton

Edmonton Artist by Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at The Royal Alexandra Hospital

I drew some adorable people at The Royal Alexandra Hospital today! Here are just a few examples. I loved listening to the people in the 3 person caricature, chatting to each other while they were there. The 3 definitely needed to be drawn together, they have a fabulously hilarious working relationship. It makes me wish I had a “regular” job, working with the same people each day …. but then again, I do get to meet A LOT of neat people in my travels as I do caricatures here, there and everywhere!

Staff Group Caricature for Royal Alex Hospital Edmonton Alberta

Woman with her Caricature for Royal Alex Hospital Edmonton Alberta

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at the Grey Nuns once again!

Nice to be asked back again to the Grey Nuns to draw more of the staff! 

Here are some fun ones!

Woman at Grey Nuns Hospital Edmonton

Group Caricature at Edmonton Grey Nuns Hospital

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures for Hap's Staff Christmas Party

Hap’s Hungry House on Stony Plain Road, had me in drawing for their Staff Christmas Party. I was also invited to enjoy a great meal which was wonderful on a busy day or running from one caricature event to another!

Check out Hap’s for it’s cozy atmosphere and friendly staff! Not to mention, enjoying my Christmas window painting on their windows!

Edmonton Hap’s Hungry House Staff Christmas Party

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Caricatures at the Alberta Teachers Association Christmas Party

I had a good time drawing at the Alberta Teachers Association’s Christmas Party. Here are a couple examples from the evening. My camera lens had something on it and made the first photo a bit blurry but it also gave a neat effect. I would have taken more photos if I could have managed to get the smudge off! The second photo, the gentleman was nice enough to use his camera and send me the photo. 

Edmonton couple at ATA Christmas Party with their caricature

couple at Alberta Teachers Association Christmas Party with their caricature

As you can see, I had a great spot to spend the evening with a beautiful tree in the background. I’ve finally got into my own Christmas spirit with an evening at home decorating our house for Christmas.

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Quite the work day

Quite the work day I had Thursday: Started off the day at Corus Entertainment till about 4 p.m. then went to the Microsoft Store in West Edmonton Mall and drew caricatures 6 - 9 p.m. I drew some ladies that worked in the mall, families visiting from out of town, couples going to a movie, and some nice young boys who are new to Canada! They boys have been in Canada for 3 months from Argentina. When I asked one of the boys if he liked Canada, instantly he got a smile on his face and said, "OH YES!" It's so nice to hear that he's enjoying his new home! (and it was -20 something outside too!)

My day wasn't finished at that point, oh no.... I dropped my caricature supplies off at home, spent an hour or so chatting with my family and then headed over to finish up at one of the Tim Hortons I had been painting at the night before. Now the 10221-170 Street Tim Hortons is all Laurel'd - Up - Christmas - Style! I think I finished at about 3 a.m. and left with muffins in hand as a nice surprise breakfast treat for my family. Oh, let me clarify that a little ... I just found out that my 17 year old son ate them all. Someone in the house enjoyed them anyway!

yes, when you're self employed you're your own Boss

Christmas Santa Window Painting at Corus Radio office Edmonton

Cute little Girl with her caricature at Microsoft Store WEM

Santa enjoys his doughnut at Tim Hortons

Caricatures and  Window Painting by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

I was in at the 184 Street & 111 Avenue Tim Hortons West Edmonton location last night painting their windows. When I walked it I could see that they definitely needed some window painting done to make the store a little more festive for the season! Mission accomplished I think since I did this sort of look on all the windows. In the next few days I will also be painting at the 102 Avenue-170 Street and 178 Street & 111 Avenue Tim Hortons locations.

I think I’m nearing the end of my Christmas window painting list! 

nearing...

Edmonton Tim Hortons Christmas Window Painting

 Window Painting 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