Changes

<br>ARIE: I have been a caricature artist since 1997-8, so about 20 years.</br><br>KRYSTAL: Since summer 2005, so

'''Where are you based and who do you work for?'''</br><br>ARIE: Currently, I live in Kansas City, Missouri and I work for myself under Drawlikecrazy Studios LLC. I also work as a contracted caricature artist for events, trade shows and parties.</br>

<br>ARIE: I loved cartoons and worked at an amusement park when I was 16. I saw a guy drawing caricatures and every chance I got I would talk to him and look over his shoulder. The next summer I got a job at the same park, but I applied to be an artist because I wanted to improve my drawing.<br><br>KRYSTAL: I always liked to draw as a child, particularly people and cartoon characters. In the summer of 2004, I started working retail (not caricatures, just park gift shops) at Dorney Park. On my breaks I would pass the caricature stand to go to lunch, and I became totally fascinated. I would go on to apply as a caricature artist the following summer.

<br>ARIE: Not currently. I have always

<br>KRYSTAL: No, I am not.

<br>ARIE: Man, I love meeting women of

<br><br>KRYSTAL: I can honestly say over the

support].<br>

'''How do you feel about the BlackLives Matter movement?'''

'''How has the present social climate

creativity?'''

'''Have you experienced any racism orbigotry while working?'''

stands out the most for me. I’ve beenexpected to answer questions on behalfof all black people for other caricaturistsa lot. Not like in this interview, but reallyignorant questions that always startout with “Why do black people...?”. Ifyou’re reading this, and you do that, stopdoing that. I’ve been the butt of manystereotypical jokes that I brushed off formany years. My actual butt has been thebutt of jokes—don’t get me started onsexual harassment in the art industry. I’vefound out that I was being paid less thanthe artists around me. Been accused ofstealing when other artists around werenot being accused of stealing. I alwaysget nervous going to events because Iwonder if they know they hired a blackperson and what their guests will be liketowards me.Which artists inspire you or do youfollow on social media?ARIE: I follow a lot of artists! There areso many people whose work I reallyadmire and I feel proud to also be ableto call them my friends. Sam Seller,Christian Meesey, Beeyjay Hawn, CandyBriones, Damion Dunn, Alex Casanova,Garret and Cece Holt, Tom Richmond,Javier Gonzalez....the list goes on andon. Such wonderful, inspiring people. Ifeel blessed to have worked with mostof them and call some of them my bestfriends. All of them are hard workersand amazingly talented.KRYSTAL: Tim Reed was the man whohired me in 2005 and I will always look athim as a mentor, an amazing artist andfriend. Amanda Hackert and Dennis Hartare very good friends and amazing artists.Who doesn’t like Tony Sobota? I’ve alsohad the pleasure of working alongsidegreat artists like Nick Mitchell and SeanGardner. There is a very talented and respectfulblack caricaturist named ReggieFerguson in Atlanta whose work I enjoyand who I appreciate.Do you have any words of encouragementfor aspiring artists?ARIE: Don’t give up on yourself,especially if you are just starting out.I remember being extremely self-consciousabout my work for a very longtime. I compared myself to a lot of othersaround me constantly. Then one day Idecided I needed to accept the way Idrew because a person’s style of drawingis ingrained like a fingerprint. No matterhow one tries to mimic someone else, italways comes back to your underlyingstyle no matter what you do, so just beyourself, work with what you’ve got andask others who you love for tips and helpso you can improve on your God-giventalent in your own way. Then get outthere and share it with folks and have funmaking money! In the end, beauty trulyis in the eye of the beholder. One personmight hate how I draw while anotherperson sheds tears of joy over it becauseit moved them so much. Be yourself,work hard and reach high. Only you canset your limits.KRYSTAL: Consistency is key. Don’tcompare your work to others, just aspireto always learn from the people youadmire and to improve.