Fort McMurray Fires

Thank God today it started raining up in the Fort McMurray region. To readers that haven't heard about the fires in northern Canada, the area on fire is the size of New York State. I must say, even Russia has offered to help, with our VERY inexperienced Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau turning them down...don't ask. I always wanted to visit Fort McMurray one day as in the 90's, I was working as an editorial cartoonist for The Fort McMurray Today newspaper. I hope the city comes back just as vibrant!
UPDATE... I usually stay non political on my blog, but I find it disgusting that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau can GIVE away billions of dollars around the world and to areas that voted for him, but simply "match" dollar for dollar Red Cross donations. He hasn't had the courtesy yet of even coming to Alberta and this is May 12th. That tells you something about what kind of man he is...doesn't say much to me.😐
UPDATE OF UPDATE... Okay...Trudeau showed up and seen the devastation...not a lot to say... So far, unemployment benefits are going to be extended..  ,.. wow.....what a Prime Minister we voted in......😕

Sugar Skull Caricatures

As far as I know, I'm the only caricature artist that does "Sugar Skull Caricatures," and I had the chance again last week being hired by a Tequila company to draw these at an event. I had first tried them at the Calgary Comic Con. There were two situations the guests could choose from, first the make-up artist would apply the make-up, then I try to draw it like the one above, and the other is that I create the make-up design for the guests that didn't want their face painted. The night was a success. Thanks Sarah!

Pentel Arts Color Brush

On my quest for the perfect pen to use when drawing party caricatures, I overspent and bought a Pentel Arts Color Brush......what a mistake! In my opinion, these so far are the worst brush pen I've tried....bar none. ink is hard to flow properly, you have to squeeze the handle ( WHO thought of that?). Messy and sloppy lines are all that I got from this pen. In my opinion, a total waste of money on my part, and I have tried tens of thousands of drawings with many other brush pens.

Surfer Dud

A cartoon design for a new Facebook page I've just created....if you enjoy cartoon design, how about click onto my "Like" page just to the right of you :) (more shameless self promotion....).

Calgary Caricatures

Last week had me caricaturing a delightful group of ladies at an event here in Calgary.....always enjoy this event!

I think if you were to ask most caricaturists, it's so much easier drawing just one guest on each page than the customary two people, though two people is the norm.

I even had a chance to draw a young fellow....

Finally getting used to using a cell phone for a camera....instead of....a camera....hmmmnn

And the young gal greeting guests at the door.

Mini Wheats Commercial

Oh...come on.....this is one fun commercial! Gotta love it!

Retro Cartoon Design

I completed another cartoon for a Facebook page called....   Kelly Gannon Retro Cartoon Design   If you like cartoon design with a yesteryear flair, drop in and give me a like... (( how's that for shameless promotion!)
Kelly Gannon

Caricature Artist in Calgary

I only had time to take a couple pics of a two day event I drew caricatures at here in Calgary for The Pet Expo....fantastic company, Petsecure! The folks at the booth I worked in were a terrific group to work with....thanks Jennifer! Can you believe it.....out of eight hours of steady drawing, I only came out with two pictures....:)

Bard Bash

Having four events to draw caricatures at this weekend had me running out of one event, changing into my suit in my vehicle inbetween and just getting to another event to draw caricatures at. Traffic is always an issue in Calgary, I'm sure our city planners in Calgary were dipping into "grandpa's cough medicine" when they designed our light system.....speaking of lights.... these are the only pictures I was able to get at this terrific event. Wonderful, fun people Saturday evening at the Saltlik Restaurant for The Bard Bash. Thanks so much Alane!

Calgary Pet Expo

If you're not busy Saturday and Sunday, bring yourself, or the kids down to Spruce Meadows to the Calgary Pet Expo for a free caricature. I'll be there from noon to 4:00pm. Love to see you there!

Prince, Tom Petty, Steve Winwood, Jeff Lynne and others -- "While My Gui...

It's not news now, but Prince died today and I just had to post my favorite guitar playing by Prince....though the song is a George Harrison song. (George Harrison's son is the young guy playing acoustic guitar in the video...) I always liked Prince, not just his talents, but I never could stand rock stars dressing in tee shirts and sloppy jeans...and a show is what is expected from a rock star (listen up Bon Jovi....the worst I've seen to date...). Prince always presented himself as an entertainer. A great talent lost. Check out his guitar solo at the end......fantastic....

Trade Show Caricatures in Calgary

It was a fun couple days drawing caricatures up in Kananaskis Country at a resort for IT techs, sponsored by Microsoft. It was a good steady line of guests to draw.

Right past that mountain is the resort I'm to be drawing caricatures at.....the road was clear of moose and deer as well as mountain goats....I know this as many times I've slowed down as I draw at the resort over part of the Christmas season.

Last Wednesday had me rush from one event through rush hour traffic just in time to make it to draw caricatures here in Calgary for a conference.....most of the guests being from Quebec, such as the lovely lady above. Not many of my pictures turned out because of the lighting, but the caricatures did....:)

Day of the Dead Caricatures

I have an event for a tequila company coming up and finally get to use my Day of the Dead, or Sugar Skull caricatures for the event. I had come up with this idea last year and used it at The Calgary Comic Con. As far as I know, I'm the first to have ever done this style. I'm really looking forward to the event as I worked on about a dozen different Sugar Skull designs.
Kelly Gannon

Retro Cartoon Design

I completed another retro cartoon design for my upcoming Facebook page to show another side of my business, retro cartoon design. This guy is obviously 50's inspired. I downloaded a couple fifties vehicles and "lifted" the colors from the cars to put into the cartoon.
Kelly Gannon

Calgary Caricatures

One of many events I've drawn caricatures in Calgary over the last couple weeks, the reason I've been slow on the posting is the nerds and geeks at Microsoft insisted that my old computer program made too much sense and were far too easy to run....so a forced upgrade was needed..heaven forbid, instead, they design a total mess and force the public to learn how to use it.....is it any wonder people now do everything on their cell phones and tablets.....? enough of the rants, here are a few of the delightful guests I caricatured at a recent event. Thanks Alane!

I get the great opportunity of working many corporate caricature events in this downtown hotel, and the staff is wonderful!

Trade Show Caricatures

 Last weekend had me at The BMO Centre drawing caricatures for a tradeshow featuring new wines, beers and assorted alcohols. Fortunately, the wine I was promoting is called "Caricature,"....you know the rest of the story.

Darn....he closed his eyes or this would have been a great sample picture!

And yes, I sampled the wine and it tastes as good as it's name...

Cartoon Design

I finished another cartoon for my Facebook page.....I'm experimenting with retro colors that I wouldn't have thought of using a few months ago.....but these colors are growing on me, and they give the cartoon a distinctive look to it. It's a satisfying feeling trying something you wouldn't normally do.....:)

Kelly Gannon

Jazzberry Entertainment

Cartoon Design

I wonder if there are any more "beatnicks" around? Anyway.....they enjoyed simple music! My little version of a couple satisfied beatnicks.....:)
Jazzberry Entertainment

Cartoon Design

One more cartoon-design I finished for my Facebook page. Surfers....sun, sand, beaches and bikinis.........
Kelly Gannon
Jazzberry Entertainment

Retro-Cartoon Design

I've been working on a new Facebook page featuring all my retro-Cartoon Designs. Here's a small sample of one, there will be cartoon designs of surf, spy, music and the lounge genre....all the fun stuff!  It's a lot of work getting all of these cartoon designs ready, but I'll post the Facebook page when a few are up.
Kelly Gannon
Jazzberry Entertainment

Car Show

My Son Chris and I attended the car show here in Calgary Sunday....hmmmnnn, just a bit disappointing, you're better off going to a show and shine and not pay the ridiculous parking prices that The Stampede Board seems to think as reasonable. This is NOT to take away from the beautiful vehicles that were there, they were top notch. For example, there is a beautiful Corvette behind me....but in this car show they only had a couple Corvettes.....??? To The Calgary Stampede Board, perhaps set your standards and sights a bit higher.Below are a few of my favorites and again, all cars were beautifully done. The car behind me....well, that would be my dream car...:)

I put these beautiful cars on this sight as when it comes to creativity, skill, art and artisans that do what most of us can't, this to me is a piece of art equal to any painting I've seen out there.

Calgary Caricatures

Saturday evening had me drawing caricatures at a 50th birthday party with a great, fun group of guests. My camera was dying so only a couple of pics turned out....I must start using my phone to take pictures from now on.

Kids Caricatures

A week ago I had the opportunity to draw kids at a church social gathering....and of course, most of my pictures never turned out....I must get a new camera or start using my phone. Because of the relaxed atmoshere and time limit I was given, I had time to draw a few bodies to go with the caricatures.

Jeremy Hotz

I drew this caricature of one of the best comedians out there, Jeremy Hotz. My Son and I had a chance to meet Jeremy on the weekend and what a wonderful personality he was! He liked the caricature I drew of him (or else he was a great actor!), signed it for me....then asked me to give him my autograph...how fun was that! :) If you get a chance to see a Jeremy Hotz show...DO! I've seen many comedians and he ranked at the very top, my throat was sore the next day from laughing so hard......

A fun photo-op with Jeremy after the show with my handsome son Chris...(JUST in case you're wondering...Chris is the young fellow in black....:)