An Interview with Two Unicorns
Interview conducted via email by Clarence D. Meriweather with additional editing by Craig Israel
| Author | Clarence D. Meriweather |
|---|---|
| Genre | Article |
| Published | EF Issue 2020.3 |
| Pages | 4 |
| Website |
|
Article Transcript
In the caricature biz, it’s pretty rare to see female artists and rarer yet to see black female artists. If women are the unicorns of our industry, black women must be… what’s rarer than a unicorn? A double unicorn? As part of this special issue, I reached out to two of these double unicorns who are just killing it, Arie Monroe and Krystal Simmons.
How long have you been a caricature artist?
ARIE: I have been a caricature artist since 1997-8, so about 20 years.
KRYSTAL: Since summer 2005, so
15 years.
Where are you based and who do you work for?
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.
KRYSTAL: Allentown, Pennsylvania.
I don’t work for anyone per se, but
I am listed as an independent contractor on About Faces Entertainment
and Goofy Faces.
What got you into caricatures?
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.
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.
