About the Artist
Hi, my name is Kathy Buskett, and for 26+ years I’ve been a professional caricaturist.
When I was younger, I thought drawing was just a hobby — something fun, maybe even frivolous. I never imagined it could change lives.
But after 26 years as a professional caricature artist, I know this is my calling. Every time I sit down with someone, I’m not just sketching a face — I’m creating joy, sparking laughter, and giving families a memory they’ll treasure forever.
“For me, art is more than just drawing — it’s my ministry.
I really love people. I help them as I draw them, and I find common ground with whoever sits in my chair. That’s why I do what I do.”
— Kathy Buskett, professional caricaturist
How I got Here
City of Hope Church – Daphne, AL
I love giving back through church and nonprofit events. That’s why I offer special discounts for ministries, schools, nonprofits, and servicemen and women.
Samsung – CES Las Vegas
I helped launch the Galaxy Note with live digital caricatures at CES. Proof that caricatures can wow even the toughest tech crowd.
I didn’t set out to be a live caricature artist. I began in education, then switched to Fine Art after one life-changing drawing class. My dad told me, “If you don’t pursue art, you’ll be wasting the gift God gave you.” He was right.
Early in my career, I worked in nursing homes and later became a group home leader with Ted Wachtel’s Community Service Foundation, where I became certified in Restorative Practices — skills I still use every day to connect with people, put them at ease, and even guide team-building sessions.
My first big break came at Sesame Place and then Peddler’s Village, where long tourist lines taught me speed and precision. Later, I married legendary caricature artist Buddy Rose, who brought me to Las Vegas, where I spent nearly a decade drawing at Fortune 500 corporate events and celebrity-studded weddings & galas.
When Buddy passed away from pancreatic cancer, I leaned into my faith more than ever. Instead of becoming bitter, I allowed it to shape me into someone more resilient and empathetic. That loss was also a turning point:
I left Las Vegas, moved to the Gulf Coast to be near family, and started raising my kids in a place where they could grow roots. Out of that season, Caricatures by Kathy was born — a business rooted in faith, love, and service.
Why Art Matters
For years I thought art couldn’t make a difference. Now I know it does. These moments showed me caricatures aren’t just entertainment — they are living records of the most important days of people’s lives.
Nothing beats the joy of seeing guests laugh together — that’s the magic a wedding caricature artist brings in Mobile, AL
From Weddings to Hospitals: Caricatures That Change Lives
Every sketch tells a story. These moments from weddings, birthdays, nonprofits, and even hospitals show why caricatures aren’t just entertainment — they bring laughter, healing, and memories that families carry for a lifetime.
🎉 Miss Alice’s 90th Birthday – Meridian, MS
When I pulled up to the address in Meridian, Mississippi, I wasn’t sure I was in the right place. The buildings were boarded up, the walls covered in graffiti — not where you’d expect a milestone celebration. But then I saw balloons, crepe paper, and laughter spilling into the night. I knew I had arrived.
Inside, generations of family and friends gathered to honor one remarkable woman: Miss Alice, turning 90. The air was thick with love, laughter, and gospel music. Guests had flown in from Maryland, Washington, and across the South — proof of how loved she was.
From the moment I set up, the line for caricatures never stopped. By mid-evening, the hostess, Miss Tracy, asked me to stay longer — nearly 170 guests had shown up, almost double what she had expected. That’s the thing about milestone birthdays: when people love someone enough, they show up in droves.
And then came the surprise. The DJ gathered everyone into the overflow room. Miss Tracy walked down an aisle of cheering friends and family… only to find her boyfriend Charlie waiting at the end. He proposed right then and there. She said yes — and I caught it on video through tears of joy.
Later, a man cried with gratitude when I revealed his caricature with his wife.
That moment reminded me why I love being a live caricature artist for family events: caricatures aren’t just entertainment. They’re connection, joy, and family history captured on paper.
That night also reminded me of something deeper. Though I may have been the only white person in the room, I was welcomed like family. We prayed together, laughed together, and celebrated a life well-lived. My friend Elgin, a Black caricature artist and fellow believer, once told me: “This is a ministry. We’re bridging communities.” He’s right.
Miss Alice’s 90th – Meridian, MS
Her smile said it all: ninety years of love, faith, and family captured in one unforgettable night.
Caricatures had guests laughing until they cried — turning a milestone birthday into a night of pure joy.
💍 Deja’s Wedding – The Lady in the Wheelchair
Deja & David – The Plant Venue, Jackson, MS
One year after their vows, family and friends gathered to celebrate — and their caricature became a keepsake that made the day just as joyful as the wedding itself.
It was three days before Christmas, and I was drawing at Deja’s wedding. The line was steady but not overwhelming — just enough that I could hear the band in the distance and talk with each guest as I sketched.
Then an older couple rolled forward. The older gentleman gently wheeled his wife into place. She couldn’t hold her head up on her own, and for a second, I hesitated — how could I draw her in a way she’d love?
But then he reached over, cupped her chin in his hand, and held her head up for me. She smiled, radiant. He whispered something in her ear, and she laughed. The love between them was so tender, I had to blink away tears just to keep drawing.
I sketched as quickly as I could so she wouldn’t tire. When I finished, I revealed their caricature. They both lit up. She beamed. He wheeled her away as gently as he’d brought her forward.
Later, while chatting in the kitchen, the father of the bride told me:
“You know those folks in the wheelchair? They never get pictures taken. Anywhere. But they got one with you.”
Then he added quietly, “That was my mom and dad.”
I felt a chill go down my spine.
Those were the granparents of the bride!
That night I realized again: wedding caricatures aren’t just entertainment. They’re keepsakes families never forget. Sometimes they capture love in a way a camera never could.
🌟 Tyrell at USA Health – Mobile, AL
At USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital, I was hired to entertain patients after a Christmas tree lighting. I’d never done bedside caricatures before, and as I followed the coordinator, Kim, down the long hospital halls, I wondered how I’d manage.
We visited room after room — a boy who wanted to be Miles Morales, a little girl in a wheelchair who insisted on being a pink princess, a teenager joking about surviving septic shock. Each sketch was a gift, but then
Kim leaned in and whispered, “There’s one more patient I think would appreciate a drawing.”
In a dim room, a 16-year-old boy lay pale and in pain. His name was Tyrell. When I asked if I could draw him, he whispered yes. I told him I could give him any cartoon body he wanted. He croaked one word:
“Basketball.”
I sketched quickly, turning his frail figure into a strong athlete soaring toward the hoop. As I shaded, a nurse quietly adjusted his IV. The irony wasn’t lost on me — here was a boy fighting pain most of us can’t imagine, and I was drawing him as powerful and free.
Finally, I turned the caricature around. His whole face lit up. For one shining minute, Tyrell wasn’t sick. He was well. He was strong. He was free.
That moment reminded me why I do what I do.
Nonprofit caricatures aren’t just drawings — they can bring healing, hope, and joy when people need it most.
My Purpose Today
Smiles that cross every background — bringing families joy at life’s milestones in Gulf Shores, AL is a true blessing
A Fun Digital Caricature of Me & My Family
I once thought I had to go into seminary to make a difference. But God showed me this is my ministry.
I carry forward the legacy of my late husband, Buddy Rose — not just his art, but his commitment to helping other artists succeed. My goal is to encourage others by showing you don’t need an agent or agency when you know how to share your gift.
And I couldn’t do this without my husband, Michael Buskett. On the outside, he might seem crusty, but he’s one of the gentlest souls I know — a steady partner God gave me in the most unmistakable way.
Today I juggle homeschooling my three teens (all artists themselves), writing a book, and running this business full-time. It’s a good thing I have ADHD! But through it all, one truth keeps me grounded:
In five minutes, with a pen and paper, I can give someone laughter, light, and a keepsake they’ll treasure for decades.
✨ Flattering. Fast. Unforgettable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are your caricatures flattering, silly or mean?
My caricatures are slightly exaggerated — just enough to be fun — but they’re never mean-spirited. Guests always leave smiling because I focus on capturing their best features. That’s why 90–100% of guests at my events line up for a drawing — even the ones who usually avoid caricatures.
How many guests can you draw per hour?
I average 20–30 guests per hour — that’s about twice the industry speed. Most of your guests will get drawn, not just a few.
What kinds of events do you draw at?
Everything from weddings, corporate events, and fundraisers to milestone birthdays and even hospital visits. If people are gathering, caricatures can make it memorable.
Do you travel?
Yes! I’m based on the Gulf Coast but I frequently travel for destination weddings and nationwide corporate events.
Bring Laughter & Keepsakes to Your Next Event ✨
Caricatures aren’t just drawings — they’re interactive entertainment, conversation starters, and keepsakes your guests will treasure for years.