Michael Beickel - Caricature Artist - Santa Barbara, CA

When entertaining at parties, my caricatures are drawn on 11X14 acid-free paper, in black and white, with felt pen, and shaded with pencil. The finished artwork is then protected in a clear plastic sleeve. I've been drawing cartoons and caricatures since I was a kid, and started drawing caricatures professionally at a local indoor mall in Eugene, Oregon at the age of 17.

By drawing some 50,000 portraits over a period of five years, I paid for my education at the University of Oregon, where I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts. Since then, I've drawn over 250,00 caricatures and delighted people from all over the world.

I have lived in Santa Barbara, CA since 1980, where I can be found most every Sunday year 'round drawing caricatures at the Santa Barbara Arts and Craft Show on Cabrillo Blvd. I am happiest when I am drawing caricatures, or walking my dogs. I have drawn at least 10,000 portraits of people with their pets. Just come by on Sunday, or mail me a photo of you and your pet, and I will draw you with your best friend! How about a cari-cat-ure?

Throughout the years I've drawn many celebrities in person including: "Tonight Show" host, Jay Leno, "Tonight Show" band drummer, Smitty Smith, "American Idol", Ruben Studdard , the "Velvet Teddy Bear", legendary singer Patti Page; actresses: Kelly LaBrock, "The Lady in Red," and Michelle Lee, "Knott's Landing; and three-time world-champion surfer, Tom Curren, among many others.

Some of the clients I've worked for include: Disney and Buena Vista Studios, MTV, Universal Studios, ABC, 20th Century Fox, actresses: Jane Fonda, Magel Roddenberry, of "Star Trek", and "Star Trek's The Next Generation," and for countless other clients and for just about any occasion.

My caricatures are great entertainment for: weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, corporate picnics, grand openings, family reunions, fund-raisers, and holiday parties. No matter what the occasion, a caricature portrait of your family, friends, guests, or employees will make your party more memorable!
I make parties fun!

I am also a commercial artist and have created artwork for a wide range of applications including: posters (distributed internationally), and illustrations for: books (educational, children's books) and magazines, album/CD covers, courtroom, newspaper, websites, yellow pages, T-shirt designs, logos, business cards, and brochures. I look forward to hearing from you and to creating a piece of art you will treasure.

Serves:

Santa Barbara, Ventura, Oxnard, Santa Ynez, Solvang, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo, Agoura Hills, Santa Maria, and Nipomo, CA. Will travel!

Speeds:

Rate:

$150/hr with a 2 hour minimum in Santa Barbara. $175/hr with a 3 hour minimum is required for all other areas.