Studio Caricature

A studio caricature for a real estate board Presidents' function completed yesterday. I have three more to finish up. Must get back to work.......

Paul Revere and the Raiders

While in Las Vegas, we were able to attend a sold out show with Paul Revere and the Raiders. They did 60's hits like "Kicks, Indian Reservation" and a whole list of others and were Columbia Records top selling band. I did some digital caricatures a few years back for the band and after the show had them sign the caricatures. They're not only fantastic onstage, but equally a nice group of guys offstage. Above the caricatures hang on my studio wall with a few other sixties bands that signed theirs as well.

Colorful Characters of Vegas

Elvis IS alive! Though he's shrunk........
No comment needed........kinda leaves one speechless.........
Las Vegas has a few "colorful characters" that take their "job" seriously.....you can see them along the strip day after day, year after year. They aren't allowed to solicit money, but instead have tourists get pictures taken with them and gladly accept tips. From what I've been told by a shop owner on the strip, the hmmmn, hmmmmn..(clearing voice sound)....."gentleman" with the pink outfit and feathers, gets a lot of action......

Chinese New Year

The Chinese New Year is upon us, loved the way this hotel in Las Vegas spent extra time and money doing up a garden beside the lobby getting ready for Chinese New Year's celebrations. I think the Gregorian calandar says the celebrations last a few days if I'm not mistaken. But it certainly was a peaceful, calm feeling being in these gardens.

Back from Las Vegas! I like the weather, entertainment and busyness of it all. Though it certainly isn't like "the day" when you could find many small bands, magicians, etc. playing in each hotel, and being able to see them with just the cost of a few drinks. The large shows are also WAY out of line with their pricing....I'm guessing the hotels are more to blame for that situation. Nevertheless, it was a good getaway with Calgary's weather not co-operating while we were gone. One last point...security at airports were a BIT more polite, but as usual, Canadian Customs agents were their world famous RUDE, POWER HUNGRY typical selves....a twenty-some year old agent DEMANDED that my wife and I tell her which shows we went to while in Vegas....then demanded that we tell her how we liked each show.....(sigh) ....some things will never change.........

My Wife, Maizie's birthday is coming up soon, so we're leaving tomorrow morning for a week in Las Vegas, staying ay Mandalay Bay. (I just love that name!) I'm not a gambler, but instead love seeing the shows and entertainment which abounds. I can sit in a lobby for an hour just looking at how the designers put everything together, and how the builders executed their plans......I know.....weird observations......I'm just amazed how the above picture can look like a tropical paradise, but it's built on a bald-ass desert....

Though the weather here in Calgary is fantastic, I'm hoping the weather there will at least be hot, as I've went before and it's been rainy. Hoping to come back rejuvinated as it was an incredibly busy year....though, no complaints here..... See you in a week or so....oh yeah....what happens in Vegas, won't stay in Vegas....I'll post about it......

Continuing on from yesterday's post about how my time is spent...this is one of my greatest passions....playing in my band. It's a complete tribute to the 60's British Invasion, covering artists such as The Rolling Stones, The Troggs, Kinks, Beatles, Animals, etc. (Pretty well any band that starts with "The"). We've went to a lot of trouble and cost to get authentic style equipment, clothing and sound to replicate that particular era. A pair of replica "Beatle Boots" alone was a $400.00 price tag....all the equipment used are authentic looking, and sounding from 60's Britain..........I'm in the middle, and my brother Kenny, is with the red guitar......the toughest part.....I have to shave everytime we play.......

When I was drawing in Kananaskis, someone asked me an interesting question...."If you don't accept studios jobs....what do you do with all your time?" Great question! I don't accept studio caricatures, but will do studio cartoons though. I'm one of the lucky people who gets to indulge in my hobbies when not working, as I believe in being at something for the long haul, and to try and be a bit more "well rounded" with other interests. One interest I love is reading....I know....very old fashioned.....but what great way to spend some time with your imagination! Above are some of my books I've read in the last six months or so. I usually jump all over the map with my interests....but that can be a good thing...sometimes..... My favorite book? Jim Marrs "The Rise of the Fourth Reich." Why? Because he exposes companies that supplied start-up money for The Third Reich, some of the corporations that did supply the money are some well known companies that we all deal with today, how quickly we forget! I'll stop there, but if you like a good read and are sick of the hand picked books available in your local book store...order this book online, you won't be able to put it down. This year I plan to double the amount of books I read last year, as well as find different topics to choose from. Have to run...I have a great book waiting for me......

Calgary Caricatures

Last evening's drawing event was at a popular brewery here in Calgary. The company was owned by one of Canada's most colorful billionairs......the guests were a fun group of folks to draw for, and very understanding as, for some reason, I must have been allergic to something in the room because my eyes welled up and I couldn't stop sneezing! lol

Kel Studios

A couple of days ago I had seen in the newspaper a small article about one of the books I drew cartoons for last year, Fundraising On A Shoestring, by Faith Wood. Below are just a couple of the cartoon illustrations I came up with for the book. It was a bit of a challenge to make a shoestring into a cartoon, but all worked out well in the end.

Kel Studios

Kel Studios

Kel Studios

I picked up my new business cards today and was happy with the results. I made a very simple design to the cards and just had to politely ask the printer to move a few things, make some smaller/larger and change a font or two......she was great when asked....thanks Yuki!
NEVER under estimate the power of a simple business card....this morning I had an email from a realtor inquiring about a potential project from a card she received a year ago. If the card is fun and pleasing, chances are..they'll hold onto it. Don't forget that it's a great idea to use the back of the card.

Kel Studios

When drawing a cartoon for a client, I think in this New Year, I'll ask that I can follow the cartoon right to the printing process. So many times in the past have I created the cartoon, only to have the printer create a TERRIBLE layout, such as the one above. This was only a business card, but really a business card can be THE most important advertising tool, lasting for years and given to many people. Had I been able to proof the work, this NEVER would have passed muster......you have to get a magnifying glass out to see the cartoon...ahhh...next time.....

Kel Studios

I havn't even looked at the blog in the New Year, as I was so happy to take a couple day break, but then lo and behold I was asked by a company to do this quick cartoon for one of their projects....it was one of those "Can you have it by yesterday" type of projects, but sometimes the quicker a cartoon is done, it can look much looser. Thanks Tia!

Kel Studios

Tomorrow evening is New Years Eve and here's wishing you all a safe time.....don't get too much like the above characters if you're driving. I have an event to draw at New Years Eve at the resort and I'm sure I'll see the odd one looking like these guys.....I have one more night (tonight), to draw at The Festival of Lights, then two days....then...ahhhhhh....5 days off before I start up again. Happy New Year to all....