The Story Behind Caricatures by Kathy
So I have a confession to make
Hi, I’m Kathy. Im the face behind Caricatures By Kathy.
I've been a professional caricaturist for 27 years.
But I wasn’t always a flattering caricature artist.
In fact… the reason I draw flattering, fun caricatures today is because I made a young woman cry.
Flattering, Fun Caricature Artist Kathy Buskett
How I made Someone Cry
It wasn't on purpose.
At the time, I was doing what a lot of caricature artists were doing—leaning into the trend of exaggerated, sometimes harsh, “ugly” or mean caricatures.
There’s this idea floating around in parts of the art world that if it’s not edgy or extreme, it doesn’t count.
So I followed that trend.
And one day, I drew a girl… and she cried.
I felt awful. I apologized immediately and offered to redraw it. She said no thank you—and honestly, I don’t blame her.
The reason I draw flattering "Complimentary" Caricatures is because I made someone cry.
"Done Dirty"
The truth is, I should’ve known better.
Not long before that, someone had drawn a "mean" caricature of me. I didn’t even know it was happening—and when I saw it, it was honestly upsetting. That feeling stuck with me.
So in that moment, something clicked.
I didn’t want to shock people.
I didn’t want to embarrass people.
I didn’t want to chase trends or prove anything to other artists.
I just wanted to make people happy.
That’s when I made a decision that shaped my entire career:
I would become a flattering caricature artist—and only go extreme if someone specifically asked for it.
Turns out… a LOT of people want that.
The Mean Caricature of me:
Note: I Did NOT Draw this!
Yea, it's funny - but would you want one?
Here's a dirty little secret: Your guests likely
don't want one either! They want to look GOOD.
So do you. Don't we all?
That's a great reason to choose me as your caricatures artists near me near me
I will NOT draw You like this.
Instead, I will make you look BETTER than real life!
Why I Draw FUN Caricatures
Event at Springhill College for the New Mobilians Club
After that moment—the girl I made cry—I had a choice to make.
Keep going down the road of shock value…
Or change direction completely.
I chose to change.
Because the more I thought about it, the more it didn’t make sense to me.
Why would someone wait in line at an event…
Get excited to be drawn…
And walk away feeling worse?
That’s not fun. That’s not a favor. That’s not the experience I want tied to my name.
So I made a decision that I’ve stuck with ever since:
I draw fun caricatures.
Flattering, expressive, sometimes a little exaggerated
—but always designed to make people smile when they see themselves.
And something interesting happened when I made that shift…
People didn’t just like their drawings.
They LOVED them.
They showed them off.
They kept them.
They talked about them.
Because it wasn’t just a drawing anymore—it was a FUN, interactive art experience.
And that’s when it clicked:
This isn’t just about art.
It’s about how people feel when they walk away.
A Family gets a Fun Caricature by Kathy at a College Graduation at CSU in Gulf Shores. AL
What Happens When Caricature Is Done Right
Big smiles, a little laughter, and something they’ll keep long after the day is over.
That’s what matters.
Because when caricature is done right…
People don’t walk away feeling worse.
They light up.
And over the years, I’ve been lucky enough to witness
some pretty incredible moments because of that—
the kind that stay with you.
The Meaning of Caricature
One of DaVinci's "Grotesques" from his sketchbooks
The meaning of caricature actually goes back much further than most people realize—back to ancient Rome.
When Emperor Nero’s palace, the Domus Aurea, was rediscovered during the Renaissance, artists were fascinated by the drawings covering the walls. These weren’t stiff, formal portraits—they were playful, exaggerated, full of personality.
They weren’t even called caricatures yet.
The word caricature came later, from the Italian caricare, meaning “to load” or “to exaggerate.”
In other words, to “load up” a face—emphasizing certain features to capture what makes someone unique.
Artists like Leonardo da Vinci explored this idea in their sketchbooks, exaggerating features to study personality and expression.
And that’s the part most people miss.
Caricature was never meant to insult or embarrass.
It was meant to amplify personality.
So when people ask about the meaning of caricature, at its core, it’s about observation, expression… and seeing people more clearly.
And that’s the tradition I care about.
This is where it really gets FUN
Below you can read one of the Fun Caricature Stories
I sometimes tell at events or for when I do public speaking or teambuiding activites or edutainment, or just when Im talking to guests at a Special Occasion.
"You're a Funny Little Man"
The Night I Learned How to Draw a Crowd (Literally)
My first night drawing on Fremont Street in Las Vegas — where you either learn to draw a crowd… or you don’t last long.
Buddy Rose, The "Godfather of Caricature",
aka four feet of fury
The first time I worked at the caricature stand on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, I was terrified. Seven years into my career, and this place made me feel like a rookie.
What I didn’t know yet was that this night would teach me the difference between someone who draws… and someone who draws a crowd.
If you’ve never been there, Fremont Street Experience is five blocks of old downtown Las Vegas transformed into a pedestrian entertainment district — casinos, bars, free concerts. street performers, and huge crowds of tourists from all over the world, under a massive video canopy that erupts into music and lights every hour on the hour.
And I was supposed to work there on the street until 2am.
My boss Buddy kept telling me everything would be fine.
“Just remember,” he said, “don’t turn your back to the crowd where
someone could jump you.”
This was not especially reassuring.
Buddy was a not a tall guy — we used to jokingly call him "four feet of fury." But he strutted around like a little Banty Rooster and could talk to anyone.
Seeing that I was frozen, he said, “All right, I’ll get your first customer.”
He walked straight up to a very tall man who was teetering slightly. Fremont Street allows open containers of alcohol, and this guy had clearly taken full advantage of that policy. The contrast between them was… impressive.
“Want to get your caricature drawn?” Buddy asked.
The man squinted at him. “Wha?”
“You know,” Buddy said, “a funny cartoon sketch of you.”
Somehow Buddy convinced him, and the man sat down in my chair.
He was so drunk he nearly fell out of it while I was drawing him.
So I was getting a lesson in how to draw a crowd. I had been drawing for about 7 years at this point, but never in a situation quite like this.
No pressure, right?
The crowd was laughing and having a good old time. The guy seemed semiconscious. I drew him quickly, just wanting to get this one over with.
It did look just like him - only funnier. He was also clearly drunk in the drawing. I always tell people - I just draw what I see. Don't blame me if you don't like it.
When I finished, I turned the drawing around.
The drunk guy looked at it.
Then looked at Buddy.
Then looked at me.
Then he stood up and said, “I’m not paying for that.”
I gasped.
Buddy and Me - a Caricature by Nick G.
From Caricature Cinema
No one talked to Buddy Rose that way. He was the 'Godfather of Caricature,' founder of the National Caricaturist Network and one of the most respected and famous caricature artists in the world.
But this guy didn’t know that.
Buddy stepped forward. “Yes,” he said, his voice like flint. “You are.”
I stood there, mouth open. The crowd went silent.
The man grinned sloppily at him, patted him gently on the head, and slurred:
“You’re a funny little man.”
My eyeballs nearly popped out of my head.
Buddy turned about nine shades of pink, purple, and magenta. He clenched his fists in rage and —
Have you ever seen a cartoon where someone gets so mad steam comes off their head?
Yeah… that.
The drunk guy took one look at Buddy, did a double take, and suddenly realized what he’d done.
He sobered up instantly…
…and took off running through the crowd.
Buddy chased him down like a rabid Chihuahua chasing a Rottweiler off his front lawn.
And just like that, someone in the crowd stepped forward and said,
“Can I be next?”
And that was my introduction to Fremont Street — and to performing as a live caricature artist in Las Vegas.
And I’ve been drawing a crowd ever since.
But my story didn’t start there…
and it definitely didn’t end there.
A Comedian with a Marker
After years of drawing in places like Philadelphia, Detroit and
Las Vegas… I now travel the Gulf Coast and beyond, drawing live caricatures for weddings, corporate events, and Special Occasions where people actually want their guests to have fun.
I’ve been a professional caricaturist since 1999. (In case you’re like me and hate math, that’s 27 years.)
You can imagine that in that time I have compiled lots of stories. You might hear me tell one like the one above at a special event. That’s a funny story, and I have a lot of good ones. Like the time I drew a real-life mafia godfather.
Or the time I got married by Elvis — by mistake.
(You’ll have to come to one of my events to hear those stories. Sorry. I can’t give away all my best material here.)
But the very best stories have meaning.
Kathy Buskett, owner of
Caricatures By Kathy
From the very beginning, I wanted my work to have meaning.
I had always worked with people before starting work as a caricaturist, pouring into people’s lives in settings such as nursing homes, assisted living facilities, brain trauma facilities, church youth groups, and even in a group home setting where I was a group home parent to 36 “troubled” teenage girls.
I loved every minute of it.
And so when I started drawing cartoon sketches to make ends meet and found out that I could actually make a decent living as a sketch artist and caricaturist for parties, I really struggled with which path I should choose.
I wanted to do what God had for me. That had always been my goal from the time I was young, and drawing caricatures didn’t seem to fit the bill. However, it did pay my bills.
Working as a live caricaturist at the Samsung Galaxy Note product launch during CES in Las Vegas.
And so I resigned myself to a life of merely making fun caricature sketches.
It wasn’t until I left Las Vegas and started over on the Gulf Coast that I began to understand how what I do—as the artist behind Caricatures by Kathy—can truly make a difference.
Someone once told me that what I do is important because it spreads joy and gives people a memory of one good day.
I didn’t fully understand that at the time.
But I do now.
People often recognize me years later and tell me their caricature is still hanging in their home, sometimes decades, later.
I've since realized:
The meaning of caricature was never about making people look bad…
it was about capturing something worth keeping. .
Since I’ve come to understand that, I truly believe that drawing fun, flattering caricatures is what I was meant to do.
And that what I do matters.
Here are a few stories that show you what I mean.
The Power of a Handshake
Adults get Handshakes. Kids get fist bumps and high fives.
I’ll never forget the day I sat in a dentist’s office, clutching the armrests of a waiting room chair, sweating bullets.
I’ve always had a horrible fear of dentists. Maybe it came from five long years of painful braces. Or maybe from the five more years I had to wear a retainer. Either way, I dreaded every visit.
But I was getting married—and I wanted clean teeth. So there I was, awaiting my doom in an oversized reclining chair that made me feel like Edith Ann.
And then something happened.
A dental assistant walked in, smiled big, shook my hand, and introduced herself. I still remember her name: Kathleen.
Suddenly, I wasn’t sweating anymore.
She asked me a few friendly questions and seemed genuinely interested.
That moment changed everything.
I don’t remember the dentist himself, or even his name.
But I remember Kathleen’s warm smile—and the fact that she cared enough to connect.
That day, I realized something powerful:
A simple introduction can completely change how someone feels.
And now, I bring that into every event I draw at.
When a guest sits in my chair at a wedding or corporate event, I introduce myself, shake their hand, and use their name.
For many people, it’s their first time being drawn—and yes, they’re a little nervous. Add a crowd watching, and it can feel even more intimidating.
But just like Kathleen did for me, I put them at ease.
A handshake.
A little humor.
A real connection.
And I can literally see people visibly relax.
From there, the smiles are natural, the drawings are better… and the experience becomes something they actually enjoy.
They don’t just walk away with a drawing.
They walk away saying,
“That was so much fun.”
And that’s when everything changes.
And that lesson has stayed with me ever since.
That’s something I do now at every single event.
How I Put People at Ease
At one wedding, the bride was nervous about getting a caricature.
She was clearly shy and kept putting it off until the very end—finally coming up with her new spouse after everyone else had gotten drawn.
I could see it right away.
I shook her hand and said,
“I can tell you’re a little uncomfortable.”
Then I told her what I tell a lot of people—
that I’m an ambivert.
Which means I relate to both introverts and extroverts.
I love being at events like this…
and then I go home and hide for a day or two.
She laughed.
And just like that, she relaxed.
We talked a little more.
She started smiling naturally.
Afterward, she looked at her drawing and said—almost surprised—
“That was actually fun.”
And that’s how I connect with people who feel a little unsure about sitting down.
I let them know—
I get it.
And once people feel comfortable…
something else starts to happen.
Deja’s Wedding – The Lady in the Wheelchair
A Wedding Love Story That Isn’t What You Think
The Lady Who Did a Little Dance
I was drawing wedding caricatures at a wedding three days before Christmas.
The line was steady but not too long, and the band was on the other side of the room, which was great because I could hear and talk to my guests while I drew. I could take my time. It was perfect.
As a wedding caricaturist, evenings like this are some of my favorites.
I was drawing a lady and her son.
I finished it up and revealed it, and when I did she said, “You made me look so young! You made my day!”
Then she did a little dance.
Which made me laugh.
I LOVE delighting my customers.
They thanked me and got up.
Someone pulled one of my chairs away.
I didn’t understand why until I turned around.
The Wedding Guest in a Wheelchair
There was an older couple coming to get drawn.
One of them was in a wheelchair.
It was a gentleman and his wife.
The man pulled the woman into the spot the chair had recently occupied.
Instead of sitting, he stood next to her.
The gentleman was maybe in his late 70s. His wife looked younger, but she had some sort of muscular issue and couldn’t hold her head up.
I introduced myself and gave them brief instructions.
I told them I was going to draw the woman first.
I used to work in nursing homes as an activity director, and I knew that she was going to tire out quickly.
I was worried.
How was I going to draw her?
I always try my best to make people love their drawings.
This was going to be difficult because I couldn't see her face.
I hesitated.
But then the man, who was dressed in a dapper checkered suit, gently took his wife’s chin in his hands and held her head up for me.
She smiled at me.
And I could see that she was actually quite beautiful.
So I began to draw.
Capturing the Moment as a Caricaturist
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.
I drew her quickly so that they didn’t have to stay in that position for long.
As I was drawing, the husband carefully wiped his wife’s mouth with a napkin he had in his pocket.
He whispered something in her ear.
She smiled even bigger.
The love between these two was so touching that I was finding it hard to draw.
There must have been something in my eye.
Finally I finished the woman and told her husband he could let her relax.
He took a seat next to his wife, and her head drooped gently onto her chest again.
She was tired.
That was a lot of effort.
Now I drew the gentleman.
I looked it over. A little shading here. An extra line there.
And Now I was ready to reveal it.
Would they like it?
The Reveal
They loved it.
The wife was all smiles.
The husband gently unlocked her wheels and slowly carted her away.
I wiped my eyes and kept going.
Moments like this are part of what makes being a wedding caricature artist such meaningful work.
But the story isn't over. Not Yet.
What the Father of the Bride Told Me
The Father of the Bride and her younger brother
Later that evening I was talking to the father of the bride.
He and his wife were taking a breather and grabbing a bite in the kitchen.
“When my daughter said she was hiring a caricature artist for her wedding, I said… a WHAT?” he said, scrunching up his face. I laughed.
“But you’ve been the best thing here tonight. People was lined up all night long.”
His wife nodded. “Everyone was talking about it,” she said.
Then he said something I will never forget.
“And you know those folks with the wheelchair?”
“They don’t ever get pictures taken. Anywhere. Neither of them.”
“But they got one with you.”
He took a bite of the ham slider he was munching on.
Almost as an afterthought he said,
“That was my mom and dad.”
Why I Love Being a Wedding Caricaturist
I sucked in my breath.
Those folks I drew with the wheelchair were the grandparents of the bride.
“You made their day,” his wife said.
“I’m so glad,” I said.
And again I had something in my eye.
Oh this was so why I did what I do.
I was so grateful for this job.
I had always wanted to help people.
And this was how I get to do it.
One caricature drawing at a time.
Those are the kinds of moments that stay with you.
The ones that remind you this is more than just entertainment…
more than just a drawing.
But every once in a while, something happens that goes even deeper than that.
Something that changes how you see what you do—forever.
The Gift
Tyrell at USA Health – Mobile, AL
I was standing in the entranceway to the hospital cafeteria, talking to the hospital activities director whose name was Laurie.
“Are you ready to go up?” she asked.
I gulped. I’d forgotten we were going to go room to room. I had never done this before. I was nervous. How was this going to work?
“Just let me grab my stuff.”
I picked up my portable easel and slung it over my shoulder, my back board, paper, a clip, and my container of markers.
We headed to the elevator.
“How many kids are we going to see?”
Laurie pulled out her list. “Ten,” she said. “If we can’t do them all in an hour that’s ok…”
“Oh we should be able to get them all done in an hour,” I said.
But then we started walking. The halls were long. They were decorated with Christmas trees, and I thought how much it would suck to be a kid stuck in the hospital at Christmas time.
That was actually why I was there at USA Health Children’s & Women’s Hospital — to entertain by drawing caricatures at the hospital’s annual Christmas tree lighting.
This place with the endless twisting halls reminded me of the nursing homes I used to work in.
Twenty-five years earlier, when I first started drawing caricatures professionally, I had worked in several different nursing homes as an activity director.
I loved being in Activities. I felt like I was making a difference. Caricaturing on the weekends had just been a way to make ends meet back then.
But I made better money as a caricaturist and I struggled with balancing both things.
I didn’t think being a live caricature artist would make enough of a difference in people’s lives and I wrestled with that a lot. I didn’t want to do something for a living that didn’t help people.
It seemed cut and dried. Working in nursing homes was helping people. Drawing funny pictures was not.
Eventually, money won out. I had to feed my family. I enjoyed my job, but I resigned myself to just making cute and fun caricatures for people instead of making a difference in people’s lives.
It had been a long time since I worked in nursing homes. A long time since I had done any bedside visits. Over twenty years. And I had never done any while drawing caricatures at the same time, though I had always wanted to.
I thought about this as I ran along beside Kim, trying to keep up with her.
I had not figured in all this walking time in between rooms when I said that we could get them all in.
I hoped I wasn’t being too optimistic.
Kim and I visited about 7 or 8 sick kids.
I drew a Latino boy with a huge rectangular afro as Miles Morales, and he was surprised that I knew who Miles Morales was. He loved it.
I drew a teenaged girl who joked about nearly 'croaking' from septic shock. Her mom, I could tell, didn't find it very funny.
Lastly, I drew a 19-year-old young man who had had both legs amputated above the knee. I didn’t ask how or why; I was sure he was tired of telling people about it. He joked about it with dark humor that I found oddly funny.
I headed back downstairs to the tree lighting, but no one was around yet. It was too early. Someone came and whispered something to Miss Laurie. A moment later she turned to me.
“Since you’re not busy yet, would you mind going back upstairs? There’s one other person who I think would appreciate a drawing.”
Up we went.
We came to the room. Laurie knocked and peeked around the corner of the door. The room was dark and gloomy. I gulped.
“Hi!” she sang out cheerfully. “It’s Laurie from the family and life program! And this is Miss Kathy. We’re here bringing the Christmas party up to you.”
I followed her tentatively into the room.
A black teenager lay in the bed in the center of the room. He didn’t look so good. It was clear that he was in pain.
I stood next to his bed. “My name’s Miss Kathy,” I said. “What’s yours?”
“Tyrell,” he said. (This is not his real name.)
I offered him a fist bump, which I always did with kids, and he weakly managed to raise his hand.
“So Tyrell, I’m a caricaturist. I draw funny cartoons of people. Would you like me to draw one for you?”
The boy licked his lips and nodded. Laurie grabbed a chair for me and I sat at the foot of the bed and began my sketch.
I had actually always wanted to do this — draw sick kids in the hospital — but I had never had the opportunity before. But this kid. This kid was REALLY sick.
As I drew I talked to the boy.
“So I can draw you with whatever cartoon body you would like. I can do any superhero, or a sport, or…”
“Basketball,” Tyrell managed to croak.
I nodded. “Basketball it is.”
I was done drawing his face now, and I started in on my basketball body that I had drawn 1000 times or more. I worked quickly with deft strokes. Speed was what I was good at. It was what I w
as known for. It came in handy here, where Tyrell couldn’t handle more than a few minutes.
A nurse came in behind me. I vaguely heard her talking about how she was going to get him some morphine. Morphine. Wow. That was some serious stuff. This registered in the back of my mind as I worked on drawing this very sick kid.
Instead of drawing him as a very sick kid lying in a hospital bed, I was drawing him as a muscular athlete flying through the air, palming a basketball that he was about to slam into a hoop. The irony wasn’t lost on me.
I hoped he liked it. I hoped I could give him something — anything — to help him through this dark time in his young life. I was making small talk with Tyrell as I pulled out my art stick and began shading the piece. I did my best to strike a casual tone. Just a normal conversation — with a very ill, possibly dying boy.
“I have a son about your age. How old are you?”
“16.”
“He’s exactly your age. Just got his driver’s license. Do you drive?”
He shook his head. Despite being a person of color, he was pale. I noted that his lips especially were unnaturally ashen. I thought this was not good.
The nurse was putting the meds into Tyrell’s IV. I needed to work quickly.
A couple of last-second touches and the drawing was finished.
“Ready to see it?” Up until now he couldn’t see what I was doing. This was on purpose. I never let anyone peek.
I lived for this moment. Would he like it?
“Ready to see it?”
Tyrell nodded slightly. His eyes had been mostly closed. He opened them with effort.
Slowly, I turned the drawing around.
Tyrell’s reaction took my breath away.
His whole face lit up. He looked and looked, smiling like it was Christmas morning, and
for that one minute he was a normal, healthy kid again.
I choked up. This was why I do what I do. I was making a difference. This kind of thing made my whole job worthwhile.
I went in to the hospital that day with the hope of giving the kids a gift for Christmas. That day, I got my own gift — when I gave Tyrell his drawing.
I remembered back to that time in my life when I didn’t think drawing silly pictures would make enough of a difference in people's lives.
But now, after 27 years, I finally realize — it does.
It really does.
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
My faith and values guide how I treat people, how I work, and why I take this responsibility seriously.
I carry forward the legacy of my late husband, Buddy Rose — not just his art, but his commitment to helping other artists succeed. (yes, we got married!)
My goal is to encourage others and to continue to reach toward the goal of the organization he founded - the International Society of Caricature Artsits - which was originally to legitimize the art of caricature.
And I couldn’t do this without my husband, Michael Buskett.
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:
God is the one who gave me this business and through it, I am able to give back to Him and to everyone I come in contact with.
I treat every single person with respect—no matter who they are.
That's what I try to do - not just draw marker portraits live, but to uplift everyone I can. God knows the world is dark enough these days.
We could all use a little light.
That's why I do what I do.
So if you want your guests to walk away smiling—and with something they’ll actually keep—
check your date and see if I’m available.
✨ Flattering. Fast. Unforgettable.✨
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.
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.
Do You Draw in Color?
I can draw in color, and the materials I use are non-smudge and DRY. That means no drying time, no large tables for drying, which takes up less space than watercolors, and is non-toxic, unlike most paints. They do takle a little longer. I can draw about 15-20 faces in color per hour.
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.
Where are you based and what areas do you serve?
A: I’m based on the Gulf Coast and regularly serve Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and surrounding areas. I also travel nationwide for destination weddings and 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.