I’ve done the live caricature thing a lot this summer. Everything from High School (Reno High, Sparks High, Damonte Ranch) Safe ‘n Sober events to private family parties to wedding receptions. Speaking of wedding receptions…

While I was doing caricatures at a reception at Edgewood (South Lake Tahoe) a few weekends ago, a lady from Philadephia (the groom’s aunt) got very upset. I always put up samples of my cartoons and caricatures so my subjects (customers) will have something to look at. One of these samples is an innocuous (not at all political) drawing of President Obama clipped to my easel. Well, this woman went ballistic, and told me to take down the Obama art or she would have me fired from the gig. I don’t think she had that authority, but I took the drawing down to keep things peaceful. She was really wild-eyed and extremely angry.

I tell this story to illustate what a polarizing figure our President is. There are many people who admire what President Obama is trying to accomplish, but there are probably an equal number of folks who REALLY hate him. Whether it’s based on genuine political differences or racism, I don’t know. But the man IS our President. Let’s have a little civility.

And don’t get so mad at the caricaturist. I’m just trying to entertain and make folks happy.

Maybe I should replace the Obama drawing with one featuring a less controversial person…like Charlie Sheen…or Lindsey Lohan.

On Wednesday, April 7th, I participated in Galena High School’s Annual Career Fair. It was a long day with 15 or 16 individual groups that I shared my experiences with concerning freelance cartooning/artwork/graphic design. The whole thing confirmed my respect for teachers…my voice was trashed after speaking to the kids for most of the day. Most of the questions from the kids involved the RGJ editorial cartoons (how long it takes to draw one; where ideas come from). There were several kids who are aspiring artists that seemed to really get something from the experience. Animation was a subject that a few kids had an interest in. Unfortunately, I don’t have much knowledge of that, but I shared whatever I knew. On the whole, it was a good time, and I don’t think I embarrassed myself…too much.

I want to thank the staff of Galena High for being so helpful and welcoming, particularly Judy Shively who made the initial pitch and checked with me throughout the day (probably to make sure I wasn’t having a nervous breakdown or a coronary.) Also, a big shout-out to the culinary students who wheeled carts around with fruit, pastries, coffee and other beverages. And thanks for the nice lunch, as well. You guys made all of the participants (presenters) feel very welcome and special.

Regarding my RGJ Editorial Cartoon from Sunday, March 21, 2010: It was a remembrance of the late Fess Parker, a Boomer icon. I really should have played up the notion that the raccoon population took a serious hit in the 50’s and 60’s with every kid under ten wearing coonskin caps like their hero Davy Crockett/Daniel Boone. The producers of those shows (Disney in the case of the Crockett shows) might have, indeed, been the Adolf Eichmann of raccoons. At the very least, I should have drawn a “tail-less” raccoon saying, “Thanks a LOT, Mr. Parker.” I missed out on a nice piece of comedy. That’s what happens when you rush to get something in the paper. Always remember, kids, to “bring the funny!”

And that is my Cartooning Tip of the Day.

Welcome to my new site. I hope there are a few things you’ll find interesting. I’m very pleased with the work Kelly Smith did on the design, and I recommend him to anyone like me (a feckless luddite) who’s in the market for professional website design. In checking out the archive of RGJ Editorial Cartoons I realized one thing: I sure have pumped out a lot of ’em!

And there’s more to come.

Later,

Jeff Hickman

One of my favorite things in the world to do is create caricatures of people. I get to know them better and understand a little about who they are.