Sarah has been caricaturing for 24 years and has run her own business for 7 years. She is also a graphic recorder, makes explainer videos, and enjoys a variety of hobbies including origami (and taking gorgeous photos of them!). Check out her story, and learn more about why she co-created the March Masters challenge.
Q: Where did you get your start, and how long have you been a caricature artist?
A: I got started in 1997 while I was in high school, at Six Flags Elitch Gardens in Denver CO. So I've been drawing caricatures for 24 years! I started my own business in 2014 - so really been doing it full time for 7 years.
A: I got started in 1997 while I was in high school, at Six Flags Elitch Gardens in Denver CO. So I've been drawing caricatures for 24 years! I started my own business in 2014 - so really been doing it full time for 7 years.
Q: Where are you currently working?
A: I work at home, like everyone else these days!
A: I work at home, like everyone else these days!
Q: What kind of gigs are you doing, if any?
A: I'm doing virtual gigs pretty much exclusively.
A: I'm doing virtual gigs pretty much exclusively.
Q: COVID has had a huge impact on our industry. How has it impacted you personally, as a professional caricature artist?
A: It totally changed my business. I was able to pivot to virtual caricatures in May 2020, since all my in person bookings had either been postponed or cancelled starting in February. Since then almost all of my gigs have been virtual.
A: It totally changed my business. I was able to pivot to virtual caricatures in May 2020, since all my in person bookings had either been postponed or cancelled starting in February. Since then almost all of my gigs have been virtual.
Q: What are some of the caricature skills that you continue to use in your studio work?
A: All of them! I do digital commission work, so although the medium changed the fundamentals are all still really important for studio work: Line quality, composition, shapes, likeness, rich colors.
A: All of them! I do digital commission work, so although the medium changed the fundamentals are all still really important for studio work: Line quality, composition, shapes, likeness, rich colors.
Q: I think it's super cool that you are also a graphic recorder and make explainer videos. How did you come about doing them? What are some interesting experiences you've had in this line of work?
A: I was contacted randomly to do a graphic recording session, which is how I got started. I was basically thrown in the deep end, and decided to reach out to the graphic facilitation community for more resources. They're a very friendly and accommodating bunch and I was able to get more work through networking. I've mostly been doing explainer videos for the medical community, and I've had to draw and animate some pretty intimate stuff, like a diagram of female genitalia for a pregnancy video.
A: I was contacted randomly to do a graphic recording session, which is how I got started. I was basically thrown in the deep end, and decided to reach out to the graphic facilitation community for more resources. They're a very friendly and accommodating bunch and I was able to get more work through networking. I've mostly been doing explainer videos for the medical community, and I've had to draw and animate some pretty intimate stuff, like a diagram of female genitalia for a pregnancy video.
Q: I love the March Masters challenge that you and Ash Stryker started, and congrats on completing the challenge! What was your motivation for creating the challenge, and what are some main takeaways you can offer now that you've completed it?
A: Thank you! I'd been wanting to do studies of artists that have influenced me for a long time and I'm always interested in the social and historic impact of art throughout the ages. Ash had mentioned a similar desire on a FB post so I thought it would be good to combine our efforts and create a list. I am really glad we did a combination list, as I got to study artists I wouldn't have thought about studying - mainly on the comic and animation side. It was my first time actually completing a challenge - I've tried to do Inktober and Caricature Resolution but didn't get too far. I'd say there were a few factors motivating me with this one: 1. It was a challenge that I had created myself, not someone else; 2. I had accountability with Ash and since it was a public challenge, from those who also took part; 3. there was a lot of variety in the prompts so it felt fresh every day. It did feel like a marathon rather than a sprint, so pacing the energy and momentum was important to get to the end. I did ask for some support for the last week too! Getting encouragement to finish was helpful!
A: Thank you! I'd been wanting to do studies of artists that have influenced me for a long time and I'm always interested in the social and historic impact of art throughout the ages. Ash had mentioned a similar desire on a FB post so I thought it would be good to combine our efforts and create a list. I am really glad we did a combination list, as I got to study artists I wouldn't have thought about studying - mainly on the comic and animation side. It was my first time actually completing a challenge - I've tried to do Inktober and Caricature Resolution but didn't get too far. I'd say there were a few factors motivating me with this one: 1. It was a challenge that I had created myself, not someone else; 2. I had accountability with Ash and since it was a public challenge, from those who also took part; 3. there was a lot of variety in the prompts so it felt fresh every day. It did feel like a marathon rather than a sprint, so pacing the energy and momentum was important to get to the end. I did ask for some support for the last week too! Getting encouragement to finish was helpful!
Q: Are there things that you get from your studio work that retail caricature can’t provide? Do you like having the freedom to explore other topics and themes, for example?
A: I have a love/hate relationship with commissions. I love that I can spend more time on a piece and do some fun body or theme compositions for people and pets. I hate revisions! Like this week I had 3 women on 3 separate commissions who felt that the drawings were too exaggerated, old or fat - no complaints from the men. UGH. I hate that part.
A: I have a love/hate relationship with commissions. I love that I can spend more time on a piece and do some fun body or theme compositions for people and pets. I hate revisions! Like this week I had 3 women on 3 separate commissions who felt that the drawings were too exaggerated, old or fat - no complaints from the men. UGH. I hate that part.
Q: What are your favorite tools for retail or digital caricature?
A: I love my Copic brush markers! They are refillable and the nibs are replaceable so I don't have to feel bad about throwing away tons of markers. I still use Prismacolor artstix and also have Neocolors for when my stash finally runs out. I don't do color much for gigs, though. I use Procreate on my iPad for digital work. Georg's brush pack is a total steal - $15 for like 1000+ brushes.
A: I love my Copic brush markers! They are refillable and the nibs are replaceable so I don't have to feel bad about throwing away tons of markers. I still use Prismacolor artstix and also have Neocolors for when my stash finally runs out. I don't do color much for gigs, though. I use Procreate on my iPad for digital work. Georg's brush pack is a total steal - $15 for like 1000+ brushes.
Q: What hobbies or passions do you have outside of caricature?
A: I like to do origami, it's a great way to focus and relax at the same time. I'm getting into nature studies a little bit, and enjoy being outdoors during the warm months. I am also a big foodie, lately I have been experimenting with different kombucha flavors (currently my favorite is Cherry Blossom) and curing and smoking my own bacon (sooooo delicious).
A: I like to do origami, it's a great way to focus and relax at the same time. I'm getting into nature studies a little bit, and enjoy being outdoors during the warm months. I am also a big foodie, lately I have been experimenting with different kombucha flavors (currently my favorite is Cherry Blossom) and curing and smoking my own bacon (sooooo delicious).
Q: Who are your favorite women artists in caricature or in related industries?
A: Oh man, there are so many! I really love Kelly O'Brien, Kiko Yamada, and Sam Gorrie's exaggerated and cartoony retail stuff. I love Hitomi's (and Caricature Japan in general) high level of finish and her super cute style. I love Robin Schwartzmann and Asia Ellington's retro vibes. I love Chihiro Noguchi's watercolors and would love to do more painting like that. I also love Calisse Basada's many different approaches and her willingness to try out new mediums. I'm missing more I know. There are so many amazing women in the industry!
A: Oh man, there are so many! I really love Kelly O'Brien, Kiko Yamada, and Sam Gorrie's exaggerated and cartoony retail stuff. I love Hitomi's (and Caricature Japan in general) high level of finish and her super cute style. I love Robin Schwartzmann and Asia Ellington's retro vibes. I love Chihiro Noguchi's watercolors and would love to do more painting like that. I also love Calisse Basada's many different approaches and her willingness to try out new mediums. I'm missing more I know. There are so many amazing women in the industry!
Q: Thanks again for participating in WIC's Artist Spotlight! Where can we follow your work?
A: I'm at IG @sarahdrawsacrowd, www.sarahdrawsacrowd.com, and FB Sarah Draws A Crowd
A: I'm at IG @sarahdrawsacrowd, www.sarahdrawsacrowd.com, and FB Sarah Draws A Crowd
