Caricature Artist

WHEN ENTERTAINING, MICHAEL DRAWS APPROXIMATELY 12 CARICATURES PER HOUR. Each person is pictured doing a favorite pastime, sport, hobby, or occupation. If only the head is drawn, Michael can draw approx. 20 portraits per hour. The portraits are drawn in black and white on 11X14 acid-free paper, with felt pen, and shaded with pencil. The finished portrait is protected in a clear plastic sleeve. When working out of his studio, Michael can create full-color portraits, and illustrations, utilizing a variety of mediums including: watercolor, colored pencil, india ink and brush, pastel, and often combines these mediums.

A LIST OF THE PEOPLE MICHAEL HAS DRAWN IN PERSON, at parties, or for magazine illustrations, or for various other media applications, include: talkshow hosts: Jay Leno, David Letterman, and Rosie O'Donnell; actors: Jane Fonda, Lorenzo Lamas, John Goodman, Peter McNichol, Dick Van Patten, Kelly La Brock, Rebecca DeMornay, Rick Moranis, Cybil Leek, and Michelle Lee; legendary singers and musicians: American Idol's "Velvet Teddy Bear", Ruben Studdard, Patti Page, Roy Clark, Willy Nelson, and Mel Tillis, , drummer Marvin "Smitty" Smith, of the Tonight Show's band; well-known composer John Williams of "Star Wars" fame; three time World Champion Surfer, Tom Curren; Patrick Kennedy Congressman of Rhode Island and State Senator Tom Hayden.

A PARTIAL CLIENT LIST includes: Disney and Buena Vista Studios, MTV ("The 70's House" ~ caricature portraits of the cast and crew) , Universal Studios, ABC, 20th Century Fox Studios, actors: Jane Fonda, and Tim Mathison, movie producer, Jon Peters ( "Rain Man", "A Star is Born", "Superman Returns"), Magel Roddenberry, Star of Star Trek's The Next Generation, Champion Surfer Tom Curren, Kauai Coconut beach Resort, Radisson Hotels & Resorts, The Alisal Guest Ranch, The El Encanto Hotel, The Upham Hotel, Alias Wavefront Technologies, MovieLink, Imation Corp., The Comedy Magazine (cover and article illus.), Reason Magazine (cover and article illus.), Great Days Publishing (posters sold nationally), Western Graphics Corporation (internationally distributed posters), Pacific Bell, Merrill Lynch, Ross Products, United Way (corporate designs for publication), Blue Cross (cartoons for publication), The American Cancer Association, The Nancy Davis Foundation for MS, The Grossman Burn Center, Los Angeles Queen of Angels Hospital, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, Medtronic USA, Inc., The Los Olivos Equine Clinic, The Glendale Police Association, The Santa Barbara Symphony, The Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, KEYT-TV of Santa Barbara, The University of California at Santa Barbara (brochure illus., and entertainment for numerous depts.), Chapman University School of Law, several wineries including: Zaca Mesa winery, Los Olivos Vintners, Santa Ynez Winery, and Buttonwood Winery, The Valley Club of Montecito, the Santa Barbara Polo and Racquet Club, the Santa Barbara Downtown Association, the University Club of Santa Barbara, and many more.

CARICATURE PORTRAITS MAKE UNIQUE GIFTS AND AWARDS. They are fun surprises for: birthdays, retirements, employee awards, anniversaries, 'mitzvahs, weddings, or for just about any occasion. Just send good close-up photographs of the persons, or pets you would like drawn, and a description of how you want them pictured (i.e. their occupation, a sport, or a pastime). Portraits can be drawn in several different mediums including: felt pen and pencil( in black & white), brush and india ink(black & white), pastel, colored pencil, or watercolor, or a combination of these. Also, specify the size you prefer( 8X10, 11X14, or larger). The price reflects which medium you choose, and how much time your artwork will take, as well as CA sales tax, and shipping. It is best to talk in person with Michael about your artwork. Please contact Michael as far in advance as possible, especially around holiday times.

MICHAEL'S ILLUSTRATIONS AND CARTOONS ARE DISTRIBUTED INTERNATIONALLY.
Michael has designed posters sold worldwide, created logos for television and for various businesses, provided courtroom renderings for television, designed album covers, and provided illustration for: magazines and books, newspaper, brochure, cards, calendars, t-shirts, hats, murals, and websites.

MICHAEL ALSO DRAWS PET PORTRAITS. Throughout the years, Michael has drawn many portraits of people's beloved pets, either in person, or from photos. His style ranges from quick, cartoon sketches to realism in many mediums including: felt pen and markers, colored pencil, watercolor, pastel, and oil. Please send photographs to work from, or come to the Santa Barbara Arts & Craft Show Sundays year 'round on Cabrillo Blvd. for a quick sketch. How about a cari-cat-ure?!

EXPERIENCE AND PROFESSIONALISM
Michael has been a professional caricaturist for over 35 years, starting at seventeen, and in that time has drawn over 250,000 portraits and delighted people from around the world. In the following testimonials from just a few of these people, Michael has entertained for, you can see for yourself what people think about Michael's caricatures, and professionalism.

WHAT PEOPLE HAVE SAID ABOUT CARICATURES BY MICHAEL:

"We hired Michael to come to the set and draw our cast'",,,"Not only did he draw hilarious and impeccable caricatures of our cast, he was completely professional and a lot of fun! He made the shoot feel like a party instead of a day of work! Thanks Michael!" Leda Maliga, MTV, producer, "The 70's House"

"It gives me great pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for Michael...who has worked for me as a caricaturist for (ten) years now. Michael is well-received by guests of all ages...he does an excellent job handling the crowds that eagerly wait in line to get their portraits drawn. He is extremely fast and does a quality job. He offers a.."one of a kind" piece of art and a great souvenir. Michael has a great repartee with participants and is always punctual and consistently accountable." Marcy Clevenger, Director of Activities, The Alisal Guest Ranch, Solvang, CA

"Thank you so very much for your gracious donation of a one-of-a-kind caricature."
Nancy Davis, The Nancy Davis Foundation for MS

"The lineup to get a caricature was steady all night, and many of the guests commented on how much fun it was."
Byron H. Elton, VP & General Manager for KEYT-TV, Santa Barbara, CA

"Michael, your (caricatures) at my son Brian's Bar Mitzvah party added so much to the interaction and warmth of the evening. The entertainment value of your caricatures, not to mention your upbeat personality and sense of fun, cannot be matched. I was delighted by all the compliments I received from our guests about your wonderful drawings, and the fact that they will have a lifetime memory to treasure from the event."
Shari Ross Altarac, Santa Barbara, CA.

"We celebrated our daughter's 10th birthday... (where) the featured attraction was Michael. Upon arrival, the children gathered around to watch him draw and maintained their vigil until he left...I highly recommend Michael if you'd like to make your celebration a memorable one."
Veronica Manke, Santa Barbara, CA

"Councilman Gil Garcia's birthday party exceeded our expectations and your part in it was a great help. The caricature of Gil was excellent! Everyone was oohing and ahhing their pictures..."
Gloria Garcia, Santa Barbara, CA

"There is no doubt in my mind that the recent success of my husband's 80th birthday party was a success because of your caricatures of our guests. Even though the children loved you, the adults loved you more! From ages 1 to 88, you were a delight."
Judy A. Shea, Edward Shea & Associates, Santa Barbara, CA

"Thank you so much for doing such an outstanding job! The amount of detail you put into the drawings was great. We appreciate your genuine concern about capturing the likeness of those you drew. Conducting busines over the internet always makes us a little leary, but we felt comfortable with you right away. We will be able to enjoy your drawings for years to come! Thanks again!"
Cindy & Adam Larson, Oceanside,CA

"Thank you so much for your services at our company party. Everyone has enjoyed their sketches and we're considering putting them on our website in the "about us" area. Happy Holidays!"
Julianne Prinz, Marketing Manager, Web-Ignite Corp., Santa Barbara, CA

"Jay Leno appreciates your kind gesture...Thank you again, and we hope you continue to enjoy "The Tonight Show."
C. Snow, Correspondent, The Tonight Show

BEGINNINGS

Michael Beickel began drawing at the age of four, and knew from the start that one day he would be making his living as an artist, and most likely as a cartoonist. It was at this time that Michael began entertaining his friends by drawing cartoons of them, and for them.
The summer after graduating from highschool, Michael created a job for himself by drawing caricature portraits of the shoppers at a local indoor mall, The Valley River Center, in Eugene, Oregon. For the next five years, Michael supported himself and paid for his college education at the University of Oregon by drawing upwards of 50,000 caricatures, and by free-lancing as a commercial artist, as well as teaching art both publicly and privately. It was at this time that Michael created posters, and various other artworks internationally-distributed by Western Graphics Corp. After graduating with a BFA in Printmaking, Michael moved to Seattle, Washington, and continued to support himself in this same manner. Michael moved from Seattle, and came to Santa Barbara in 1980, and began drawing caricatures on Sundays, year 'round at the local Arts & Crafts Show on Cabrillo Blvd. When Michael isn't busy drawing, and entertaining, he spends his time with his partner, Sharon, and his Samoyed dogs, enjoying his life in Santa Barbara, gardening around his home, camping in the Sierras, and, whenever possible, travelling to beautiful tropical islands.

You may contact Michael at 805-685-3272, email him at:
caricaturebymichael@cox.net, or see further samples of caricature and illustration on his website:
www.Caricatures by Michael.com