AFE: How would you describe your job?
Kent: I define myself as an artist. I tell people I educated myself by “studying” MAD Magazine. As a child, it shaped (warped) my world view and got me excited about cartooning and caricature. I love drawing caricatures, and I pride myself in getting strong likenesses. I enjoy interacting with guests, learning about them while I draw. Besides caricature, I also paint pet portraits and teach art classes.
How and when did you get into this business?
It developed gradually over the past 20 years or so. I got steady work with a party planner, and eventually started setting up at art and craft shows as well. For practice, I used to draw “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire” contestants off the TV screen. I kept count…drew 530 of them. The more money they won, the more detailed the caricatures. And yes, I drew Regis.
What is the most memorable event you’ve ever worked?
I once was hired to draw at an annual gathering of Funeral Directors. They were the funniest people I’d ever met…I was laughing at their stories the whole time. Go figure!
What is something you’d like everyone to know about you?
While I do many types of art, I really “come alive” when I do caricatures. It’s an interactive art form that keeps everyone entertained. Live caricature drawing “recharges” my artist batteries!
