Coast to Coast Bully Walk

The Coast to Coast Bully Walk is a walk featuring owners and their dogs held on October 25th every year all across the United States to bring awareness to the "bully" breed dogs, such as the pit bull. My cartoon on the banner is used for the official start of the walk ( I noticed the lovely blonde woman, Laura Bruccoleri, in the hoodie has the cartoon on the back of her sweater as well). This was started here by Laura Bruccoleri, I swear, she'll have her own television show one day! Great to see the one, rather large pit bull licking the face of the other! My family has always had the cute furry type of dog, though my Daughter owns a French Bulldog, he's adorable and I know my Wife fell in love with him as much as I have. The white pit bull, Piper, is a therapy dog used to going into hospices, nursing homes and schools. But thanks to Laura Bruccoleri for all your hard work and dedication....

http://piperspageoflife.weebly.com/

Halloween Makeup

Yikes! :) I do caricature events periodically for a theme party event company called "Confetti Theme Parties"....they did an excellent job Halloween night for their event, make-up and all.

To contact a representative for your next theme event, contact Cara at  caralgannon@gmail.com

Party Caricatures in Calgary!

Wonderful event to draw caricatures at in Downtown Calgary. Caricature artists like myself are used in different scenarios for both entertainment and promotion, or a combination of the two....this was such an event held at a department store. Most of the time guests are quite surprised that the caricatures are free to them, as the corporation has already paid the artist. A lot of these guests have never had an opportunity to be drawn, and yes....they're super grateful.

Kelly Gannon

Madame Tussauds, Vegas

I'm a huge fan of Madame Tussauds since visiting my first one in Amsterdam years ago. I had the opportunity to visit the one in Las Vegas a few weeks ago with my Son and Daughter.....loved it. Personally I don't care at all about celebrities, but do love the perfect artwork involved in bringing this to fruition. With the exception of these two, (The Rock and Snoop Dogg), it was odd to see how short most actors are. I actually thought The Rock would be a bit larger as well....my son is a bodybuilder and with a couple years, isn't far off from The Rock. If you get a chance, Google the history of Madame Tussauds, starting out with the creator, Marie Tussaud. Born in France in the 1800's, working as a housekeeper before learning her craft, getting involved with The French Revolution and coming close to facing the guillotine...facinating read....To me, the artisans that create these wonderful works of art should be as much on a pedestal as the actor they've created...

Party Caricatures

A couple  party caricatures from an event I drew at in the downtown Calgary core...again...making these lovely guests look elegant!

Kelly Gannon, Party Caricatures

Calgary Cartoonist

Funny how a simple little cartoon can be used for splashy ads! I drew this cartoon for two ladies a few years ago, I never knew what it was to be used for until a year later I was driving and seen it on a truck, I pulled over and wrote the ad down and seen it on the internet on a couple sites. All I ask is that if I do a digital cartoon for a client, IF you think of it, send me a copy what it was used for or email and let me know.....please. I have so many out there that I've asked that same request, never to hear from them again, every now and then I might see one on a product, such as the time I seen my cartoon design on ball caps....would have been easy to send me one.....but....such is the world of cartooning.

Kelly Gannon, Calgary Cartoonist

Caricatures Calgary

A delightful lady from a caricature event last night in Calgary for the oil industry. Guests such as the woman above really make my job enjoyable with their bubbly personality....thanks!

Blue Man Group drummer

I was in Las Vegas last week and had always heard of the stage production The Blue Man Group. It's one show that over the years I have never heard anything negative about, but still I just never bothered going for some reason. This time my family and I went....AMAZING is all I can say. I'm so glad I did take in the show! High above the stage in cages was the backup band that had three fantastic drummers pounding out tribal beats in conjunction with the main entertainers painted blue with bald heads.

I couldn't get my eyes off one incredible drummer that had such command of the drum kit (they were all good though )...I just had to meet this drummer after the show as it takes quite a bit at my age now to impress me....this guy did. For such a monster sound he produced, I was surprised that he was small in stature, but large in talent. The show is a mix of high-tech, comedy and huge talent...check it out if you're ever in Vegas.

French Bulldog



Nothing whatsover to do with caricatures....but amazing what a pup will eat! My Grandson's little French Bulldog pup, Baxter, swallowed a sock....whole....it sat in his stomach for a week.....then out it came! He wasn't looking his usual active self after his "meal" here....but alas....he's now back to normal.....chewing everything in site..... :)

Calgary Caricatures

Not quite the pose I was looking for... :) But....you get the idea! A lovely group of woment to draw caricatures in Calgary for on Friday. Back again this coming week. From now until the new year it looks as though this is going to be a busy caricature year again....which is always a good thing! Thanks to all my wonderful guests who sit in my "caricature chair!"

Karl Green

It's always a nice feeling to see one's work displayed in another country. I designed these tee shirts for Karl Green of the sixties pop group Herman's Hermits, here after an outdoor concert he's getting ready to autograph and sell them. Though I did make a mistake when drawing them and had no time to rectify the problem as it was Stampede Week and I was a bit busy and the art work had to be sent to a printers at a certain time.....seems I drew the guitar facing the wrong way...he's left-handed....who'da thunk! Karl was good with it anyway!

Las Vegas Trip

Las Vegas was calling me last week, (needed that break!), so gigs were put on hold. And a great break it was. This time we stayed at Treasure Island because of it's location. Rooms were nice, food...hmmmnn...not great in my opinion, compared to some other hotels...smokey smelling gaming room...though courtesy....very good! Seen a few terrific shows, talked with some good caricature artists and enjoyed the 24 hour excitement Vegas has to offer. Not very impressed though with the airport security who really should have "manners training." I really hope with their power trip attitude they never apply to a police force...they might be better off as a "mall security guard." Seems I spent 5 months applying, ( and getting) a Nexus Card and Vegas airport security doesn't honour it. I guess if I had a low level type of job such as they do, I would perhaps feel the same way watching professionals pass by me. But all in all....Vegas is a fun trip! Now back to work with many caricature gigs coming up.

Bar/Bat-Mitzvah Caricatures

Bar-Mitzvah's and Bat-Mitzvah's are another avenue that party caricaturists work at. I drew caricatures in Calgary at this one about three weeks ago. These are fun for me, though I'm working on a new style when I get some new pens in where I can quickly draw a small body that I've also been working on. Bodies that will only take about a minute and a half or so. At the above Bat-Mitzvah, I could only draw the head and shoulders as there were a few hundred people attending.

Paul Revere and the Raiders

This morning I awoke to hear the news that the leader/creator, Paul Revere, of the icon sixties rock band Paul Revere and the Raiders had passed away. If you're not over a certain age, you might not know this group, but never the less, they've influenced countless new bands through the decades. Paul Revere's group, The Raiders, were one of the only bands to remain at the top of the charts when The Beatles led the British Invasion during the sixties.

I first had the experience of seeing Paul Revere and the Raiders in the sixties, and since then have seen the group twice more through the years....they NEVER fail to entertain a crowd...ever! Paul Revere, all your fans, (and there are many!) are going to miss the energy, fun, and "wow factor" you always gave at a concert. Paul Revere, passed away at age 76.

The caricatures/cartoons I drew of Paul Revere and the Raiders were drawn quite a few years ago after I had met the band, they're so photogenic I just had to cartoon them! The drummer, Tommy Scheckel had mentioned in an email that the band used the caricatues/cartoons above as advertising during a cruise in which they were headlining....that I was honoured to hear! I tried to emulate a bit of the sixties style cartoony feel to the caricatures. I was taking my Wife to Las Vegas for her birthday and Paul Revere and the Raiders were doing a concert there...perfect timing! I took the color picture of my cartoons, met them after the show and had them sign it...Paul Revere even drew a cartoon below his (not a bad one either...) Thanks for the great music Paul Revere!

Caricaturist in Calgary

Now this was a FUN gig! A high-end law firm in Calgary. I've drawn caricatures at many law firms here in Calgary and am always surprised how large the offices are and how many employees one law office has. Before I started caricaturing at them, my only thought was..."Matlock"...or "Perry Mason"..with just a couple of people in the office...no such thing, and they're usually situated in a beautiful office tower in downtown Calgary...this was on the 47th floor in an amazing building with an even more amazing view. ALL the employees that day were a bundle of fun all in one room...thanks!

Pitbull Caricature

I was asked by an American spokewoman of The National Pit Bull Awareness association  ( thanks Laura!) to caricature her pitbull...Piper is her name. She's the "spokesdog" for a pitbull awarness foundation. The cartoon-caricature was made into tee shirts as well. I know one day Laura and her pitbull Piper will have their own television show....it's just a matter of time...and I was honoured Laura Bodnar-Bruccoleri asked me to do this. And yes Laura...Piper cuts a striking profile... :)

Spruce Meadows Caricatures



A few weeks ago I had the honour of drawing caricatures for The Spruce Meadows Masters ( THAT'S how far behind I am at blogging ). The Spruce Meadows draws guests from all over the globe to participate in show jumping, the grounds are much like a Disneyland for horse people. With costumed riders throughout the park, you can see the history of how the horse has helped mankind throughout the centuries. Fun event as I represented a major bank from Canada. Thanks Jeri!

The Shakers

I always get a huge charge when someone wants to use one of my cartoons for their Facebook page. I drew the "retro" style cartoon a few years ago and drummer extraordinaire Tony O'Keeffe from The Cavern Club in Liverpool,( where The Beatles had a steady gig) asked to use it. The video is a sample of Tony's band, The Shakers retro sound. They've had the honour of backing many of the UK's 60's icons.

Ronald McDonald House

I drew at my favorite charity event on Sunday morning ( no pictures....too busy...), feeling great about helping raise money for a worthwhile cause. Too many parents are faced with the dilemma of having their child in the hospital for great periods of time and having to pay for a hotel room and food which can be a huge burden on an already bad situation. The Ronald McDonald house has large homes next to the hospitals where the parents can stay at a low cost while they visit and support their child...everytime I visit a McDonalds I like to throw the change or a buck or two into their change receiver usually situated on or near the counter....you never know when you, a family member or a friend might need their services.

Caricaturing The Attractive Female

Sometimes when caricaturists have to caricature the attractive person, they find it a challenge, prefering to draw the "less attractive" guest because of accentuated features. Not me.....I enjoy finding the features on an attractive female and building upon them. Such features could be the eyelashes, lips, large eyes, hairstyle and so forth. If her hair is long...make it longer...long eyelashes, make them longer...all the while thinking "cute" when you draw. These caricatures were drawn a week ago at a high end event for a perfume line held in a cosmetics area. I was asked to draw ball gowns on all the guests. These are actually my all time favorite events to draw at! Thanks Robert!

Kelly Gannon, Caricatures in Calgary

Drawing Doubles

I get asked repeatedly when hired to draw caricatures at a corporate event if I can draw two people on the same page....YES.....:)

Kelly Gannon

Alberta Weather

Planning an outdoor event in Calgary is like gambling on the lottery. I drew caricatures at an Airdrie event a few weeks ago and the planning, money and time spent on the outdoor event was amazing....had it not rained down hard....oh well...the above gal was one terrific singer as part of the entertainment...I hope to see this talented young lady one day grace The Junos.

Kelly Gannon

Calgary Caricature Drawings

A couple of lovely ladies from an event I drew caricatures at last week.....I had just realized that a great 

deal of my guest wear glasses. The idea when drawing them onto the subjects face is to pre-plan where the lines are going to be drawn and using fairly quick strokes, draw them in keeping in mind the shape and how large the glasses are....luckily most are rectangle in shape, it's hard when I get a subject wearing "cats eye" glasses. Remember to draw then sitting on the nose, leaving room for the arm to line up with the ear. There you have it.... a simple tutorial on drawing glasses! :)

Kelly Gannon

Calgary Caricature Artist

I know I havn't posted anything for quite a while....rest assured...I have been busy with caricature gigs in Calgary. I do know what I need for a Christmas present now....A NEW CAMERA. I worked at so many events and either I'm too busy to take any pictures, they're all small kids, or the pictures I did take just never turn out...I wonder why a PHONE takes better pictures than a camera?? :)

Here's just a couple that did turn out...I'm thinking only my ouside photographs seem to work. This was a fun caricature gig for a large oil company.

Kelly Gannon, Caricatures in Calgary