lil kid

I think that sometimes you need to post things like this too. I thought it turned out pretty well for a minor commission.

clowning

I'm just going to throw this out there and see what happens...

I'm thinking of becoming a clown. Or, maybe doing certain gigs as a clown. Maybe advertising that I can do it at least. Anyways, I'm thinking about it... There it is.

There are lots of clowns around here making killer money and doing at least 10 gigs a weekend with all the face painting, magic, juggling and balloon animals and whatnot. I have lost track of what a "clown" is. It seems to me lately that a clown is an entertainer that (makes more money than me) does balloons, juggles, does magic and facepainting. I haven't seen a whole lot of silly clown stuff going on when I do gigs with them, you know? None of that disgustingly cutesy, dorky stuff that makes me want to puke. It seems that most often they are just whipping out product or strolling entertainers like me. They charge the same or more!

Stacie is thinking about trying to learn some of these skills while she is not "working". (she is quitting her job to explore other ventures-and not just clowing!) It would be a great way to earn a living if we can make it fly. Plus a fantastic way to stay home with the kids when that day comes.

I'm sure that with the contacts and whatnot that I have going for me that the transition to "adam the clown", "pate family circus", or at least getting Stacie started by entertaining however she likes would not be that big of a challenge.

I was thinking rather than being a traditional clown I might opt more for the "New Vaudvillian" style clown (see, I've been doing my research!) like Wavy Gravy or Penn and Teller are kinda clowns this way. They generally do pranks and mess with people or just tell stories to make them think. But I was thinking that in the way of caricatures, it might help me to really let loose on these occasions with my exaggerations. Since I will totally, obviously and undoubtedly be there to be funny... I can give em both barrels every time. I have been reading and apparently, most clowns feel special when they clown, like they are in a dream, or someplace or somebody else. I think this might really improve my work if I find that kind of connection with it! Since I'm fast, I won't have any problems keeping the crowd's attention while I'm doing it. I have lots of gags and lines I can use too. It's seems like it would be a pretty easy transition for me and I love to learn new stuff and entertain people too.

I'm thinking my costume and personality are going to be pretty down to earth and totally me. I'm going to be (if I do it) "SKETCHY" - Me and my trademark sideburns in a gorrilla suit, shirt and tie underneath with a bowler hat. Walk around caricatures, balloon animals, face painting and magic. Any thoughts?
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I have been rubbed and scrubbed and you can eat my skin! What am I?

ideas

My wife wants to become a clown, which is kinda gross but... She wants to learn to do balloon animals and face painting. I do henna tattoos and stuff on top of the face painting too. The clowns, face painters, balloon twisters that I know around here are busy non stop so I think this is a very positive move. Now, does anybody have ideas on how to get started? : ) All this on top of caricaturing will be the coup de gras!

caricature of 12 guys for a tshirt design

A lot of work went into this. After about 25 emails and tons of photos of these guys, here it is. It's a little small, I know... It's for a tshirt so I couldn't put too much detail in it but enough detail is in it that I am really happy with it. 12 people on this shirt was a challenge!

Cruises

My wife and I are taking a cruise (for free) as part of the "enrichment program" on a Celebrity Cruiseline ship and we will be getting back on Thanksgiving day. I do caricatures for a couple of hours a day and we take a wonderful cruise. We are going to spend 5 days in the Carribean. Going to the Cayman Islands and Jamaica. I have known about these offerings for a while and others but am just now getting around to it because... well, I can, damnit!. It is nice to be able to take advantage of things like this finally!

As tough as it was to get Stacie to take a trip with me (seriously...) I just got the schedule of available trips for 2007 today and maybe I will be able to talk her into another one for next year! I would LOVE to take a mediteranean cruise. I'm just tossing that out there... : )