Before I tell you of the great purpose I learned in 2012, I want to take you back to when I first started at Six Flags...
The Caricatures above were illustrated between 2007-2008 during my first two seasons with Amusment Concepts at Six Flags Discovery Kingdom(formerly Marine World ). After my short term position at a local Animation studio I began my journey as a Caricaturist when I got hired SFDK in the summer of 2006. I was a young christian artist getting ready to graduate from the Academy of Art University in SFO and go on to "the real world". Even though I had professional credits and experience, my art work still lacked some strengths. This job was where i gained some major design muscle! I was taught Caricature Illustration on the job by two different Managers. My first was John Pearson who had an Animated style and my second was the legendary Rene Pulido who had a realistic/comic illustration style.
I was mix of the two and in these first seasons I struggled. I was constantly rejected my first season and even though that ratio was cut in half the next year, I would still get rejections. My confidence in my work at the time was very low and I constantly dreamed of the day that the rejections were minimal and I would be working at a big studio. In 2008 , the company I worked for closed and a competitor took over. I took this time to try and find a job in Animation which was tough because of the recession that hit after I graduated in 07'. I wouldn't find work in my field , however I would get a good amount of caricature gigs that filled in the time. These jobs would boost my skills and confidence in my work as a Caricaturist . As well as I had a vision of a Caricature stand that people would go to were people would come to get a drawing and leave with hope . I didn't know how it could be done but soon it would come to pass....
In 2009, I returned back to Six Flags to work for Kaman's Art Shoppes. Kaman's is known for there list of now famous Caricaturists like Dino C., Joe Bluhm, Brian Oakes and many others. After a year of being away from the park coupled with my fears from the previous seasons, I was quite intimidated by the thougtht of working for a big company . I like to call the two seasons I worked here as my " Rockstar Years" of being a retail caricaturist. Where as in my first years at the park I struggled , my time Kaman's I was wildly successful! Even in my interview process I only had one class and I was hired instantly! My time of doing parties helped me to become approachable , funny, and have a unique drawing style. Which lead to me being a highly popular artist at SFDK. I was promoted shortly after I was hired to a lead. It was humbling and overwhelming experience. The drawings above are a small showcase of those two years. I grew so much as a caricaturist and I would be sent to the L.A county fair and other local events in the SF bay area with the company. Even with the success experienced, I wasn't satisfied. The prospects of selling big numbers , moving to other parks, and all the fanfare of this community didn't fufill me. Retail Caricature while I had success in it, became a job to me and I would just see it as a means to get me towards my dreams of working for Disney , Warner Bros, or another animation studio. From 2009-2011 Caricatures became something I did not something with a purpose.
So after that long look back over the course of previous years what about 2012 and this grand purpose you found? Well along with breaking in with Samsung, I continued building up Studio Caricart with gigs around Northern California. In particular was a party in Sacramento , Ca where my perspective was changed about being a Caricaturist. The first five photos where taken at this gig, I worked with another great artist Mike Tofanelli. It was a fun gig but, I knew that day was going to be special. I felt like the Lord had a reason for me to be there. I went in with my great skills, joy in my heart, and with the gift of Prophesy believing for God to do a work. I drew my earliest prophetic caricatures at this party and much to my great surprise the spirit of God was speaking about the future of many children. Yet it was near the end of the party where in all came to me. I met a wonderful woman who was a widower and after I finished drawing her I prayed for her. She was greatly encouraged by the spirit of God. It was great gig and I felt happy knowing that God's love was felt at the party. The folks who planned the party pulled me aside as I packed up to tell me how much my work uplifted them and I got 5 star review and a blurb:
"Brandon was great with the guests. His drawings made our party more festive." -- Ruby W, Sacramento, CA
It was after that day I knew my purpose for my art work was not for myself, awards, money or any other gain. My purpose is to show every person I draw that Father God loves them and that Jesus is still alive. I never liked the idea of making sales quotas , I do this to love people and show them that they are loved. People mean so much to me whether they be men , women , or children . Everyone has great value to the Lord and that's what Studio Caricart is all about. The vision I had in 2008 is beginning to come together in his timing.
So I close this post with this. If your looking for something unique for your party that isn't just a party favor?
Feel free to give us call! You will be loved at your birthday, wedding, or whatever celebration.
