Caricatures by Kathy BBB Business Review
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True Story: Secrets of a Caricature Artist

Writer: Kathy BuskettKathy Buskett

Updated: Mar 3

Sometimes being a caricature artist is a little like being a bartender or a hairdresser.


How?


People tell me all of their secrets.


I have heard this from other caricaturists too. I’m not sure why this is except maybe it’s because we are listeners.


We are sitting there drawing you and not talking much. Making eye contact. Asking questions. And if the surroundings are right (usually if it’s loud and no one else can hear you talk but me), people tell me everything.


This past Thursday night was one of those nights.


I was at an event for Howard Industries at the grand hotel in Fairhope. They had hired me directly (thank you Davis Brock) which is often how I get my clients. This was their second time hiring me and I’m hoping it becomes an annual thing.


caricature artist kathy buslkett draws a few clients at a luala
That’s me drawing caricatures at the grand hotel In Fairhope, AL

The vibe was interesting. Sort of a cross between a luau and a rave. Lots of flashing neon lights and loud music.


In addition to me there was a high-octane band called Brandy, (which is why it was loud) a guy playing guitar when they weren’t playing, and a dude making drawings on mini etch a sketches.


I got the business card of the etch-a-sketch guy and looked him up afterwards because he had such a unique talent. He was good too. The only thing was he wasn’t interacting with the crowd. He actually wasn’t talking at all. I see this with performing artists a lot too.


And that’s actually what this story is about - how drawing caricatures connects me with people and gives me a five minute window to really connect with each of them.


Most of the people I drew on Thursday were clients of Howard that they were wooing. I think they did a good job at it too.


And part of my job as a representative of that company is connecting with each client on a personal level.


Many of these folks were from other countries which I love. I love anything new and different - always have - and I used to work with tons of international clients when I lived and drew carictures in Las Vegas.


This Thursday there were several international clients.



A ajpanmese gentleman gets his caricature drawn
What’s his secret?

This Japanese gentleman is now a US citizen who lives in New York. He was beaming and I found out why very quickly.


A young man had just asked him for his daughter’s hand in marriage.


“And you’re happy about this I assume?” I said as I drew him.


He told me “He is the best human being I have ever met”. That blew me away.


I mean this gentleman had to be at least 60 years old and I know he was telling me the truth by his sincerity.


The best human being you have ever met? I can’t tell you who that would be in my own life. Maybe my pastor from the church I grew up in.


A few minutes later he leaned in and whispered “He just lost his job. But when you’re dealing with millions of dollars like he does you win some you lose some and he’ll get a new job soon enough.”


I nodded. I imagined his future son in law probably works on the New York stock exchange.


I turned the drawing around and he got a big laugh.


A few more people got drawn and then I got a couple of gentlemen with a thick accent I couldn’t place (which is rare for me).


One was older and one was younger. The older one seemed to be a mentor to the younger.


He had such an interesting accent I politely asked where he was from.


a couple of fellas from finland show off their caricature
Fellas from Finland

“Finland” was the reply.


“Wow that’s pretty far away. Did you come here to the US just for this conference?”


“Yes. We leave tomorrow. It’s really beautiful here.”


I nodded and searched my brain for a point of connection with Finland.


Aha! Found one!


“My son is 15 and is a huge World War Two buff. He has a big collection of ww2 artifacts and he wants to be a historian. He wanted a ww2 helmet and they were all too expensive. But I found one online in pristine condition a lot less expensive and it was from Finland.”


He smiled big “Tell your son that every year in Finland we have a big parade to remember world war 2 and we all  dress up and wear our WW2 helmets to the parade,” he said.


“He’ll he very interested to hear that,” I told him.  I finished the drawing, turned it around and he and his mentee laughed and laughed.


“I will hang this in my office. Thank you so much. It must be fun to have your artwork hanging all over the world!”


I smiled and nodded. He got it. That is one of the coolest things about my job.


Off they went to show all their friends.


Soon after that  I drew a young guy from the states (I forget which one please forgive me).


He was a newlywed and wanted me to draw his bride and him from a picture. Normally I only do people who are actually at an event but I made an exception because he’d just gotten married.


As I drew I asked him what he did for a living. He told me he was the IT director of his company.


He leaned in to tell me “I’m the boss of a lot of people that are much older than me. It can sometimes be a bit awkward.”


I sized him up.

He looked maybe in his late 20s or early 30s. I myself was a boss in my early 20s (they used to call me boss lady) so I understood.


I told him “I get it.  I have teenaged sons. They’re MY IT department.”

We shared a chuckle and then I turned the drawing around and we shared another one.

a guy gets his wedding caricature drawn
Who’s the boss?

Next I drew two ladies whom I drew last year. I recognized them. I got hugs from them which was nice, and at the end the reaction was a squeal and an “awwww!”


Needless to say they liked it. They actually started fighting over it until I told them they could get it copied at work. (Not all artists are cool with this so make sure you ask!)

a couple of ladies show off their flattering caricature
Repeat Offenders

Finally I had this gentleman sit down.


“I have a resting b*tch face and my coworkers all make fun of me for it. So can you please draw me scowling?”


I get requests like this from time to time so I agreed without a problem. I started the sketch.


“So where are you from?” I asked.


“Canada,” he said.


Oh.


In case you don’t know,  there are serious political issues going on between the

US and Canada right now.


Whatever your politics I think we can all agree that tensions with our northern neighbors have never been higher.


I reached around for what to say.


I thought of my friend Caroline, a sweet little old lady caricaturist from Canada who recently wrote online that she isn’t planning on coming back to the US until this is all over. I’ve seen a lot of other people from Canada as well as internationally saying the same thing.


So I said “I’m surprised you’re here.”


He looked at me with sorrow. “Work,” he said.


I nodded.


His face. I’m really good at reading faces (surprise, surprise) and his microexpressions were showing me such sorrow and hurt and even anger.


I put down my pen.


I covered my heart with my hand and said

“I just want you to know from the bottom of my heart, from me to you, that I am SO SORRY about all of this.“


He looked at me like he was just seeing me for the first time.


Then he said “Thank you for that. I really appreciate it.” He sounded a little choked up.


It was loud in there and the band was jamming. But in our little corner of the room there was a different mood entirely.


We chatted for a few minutes about Canada and how nice everyone I’ve ever met from there is. And he chimed in that they’re nice - to a point. I nodded. I think we’re about to that point.


When I showed him his drawing he loved it. And he grimaced appropriately. Thus this picture.


a canadian scowls at his caricature because he has resting bitch face
“Please draw me Scowling”

Then as he stood up to go be touched my shoulder.


“Thank you so much for what you said.

It means more than you know.”


There were tears in his eyes.


I touched his hand.


And he was gone.


 

You see I don’t just draw pretty or funny faces.


I’m here on this earth with a mission.


And that is to bring healing and restoration. Between people. Between races. Even between countries.


Caricatures are just the vehicle for it.


I’m grateful to God for this job that allows me to touch people so much that they’re willing so share their secrets with me.


And I’m grateful for you reading today.


If you run a business with integrity that needs entertainment that fosters connection (such as for conventions and trade shows)


AND has discretion (there were several secrets I learned at this event that I wil not be divulging!)


Contact me now to see if your date is available.


I do book up quickly!


True Story.




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Types of Events I work at include:

​5 Ks

Active Servicemen Events

Airforce Base Events

Art Centers

Bachelorette parties

Black Tie Events

City Sponsored Events

Civic Servant Appreciation Events

Churches

Competitions

Daddy Daughter events

FUNDRAISERS

Golf Tournaments

Elementary Schools

Fashion Shows

Galentines 

LIBRARIES

Nursing Homes

Palentines events

Preschools

Raffles

Religious Events

Retreats

Rehearsal dinners 

showers 
wedding showers
baby hsowers
baby gender reveal parties
bachelorette weekends
bachelorette trips

Sporting Events

Valentines 

Volunteer Appreciation Events       

Themed WEddings

Themed Parites

Bridgerton theme

Toy story theme

western theme

country theme

boho theme

garden theme

beach theme     

and much more!

Award Ceremonies

Appreciation Events

Assisted living events

Adult day care centers

Black Tie Events

Casino Events

College Events 

Comicons

Company Picnics

Concerts

Conventions

Employee Appreciation Events

Grand Openings

Golf Events

Hospitals

Hotels

Military and Paramilitary Events

Nursing Homes

Restaurants

Resorts

Retirement Parties

Retreats

Seminars

Special Needs Events

Sporting Events

Product Launches

Teambuilding Events

Trade Shows

Training Sessions

University Events

VIP events
Back to School 

Bachelorette Parties

Baby's First Birthday

Baby Showers

Bar/Bat Mitzvahs

Beach Events

Birthday Parties

Black Tie Events

Class Reunions

Circus Themed Events

Christmas Parties

Destination Weddings

Engagement Parties

Family Reunions

Fairs

Festivals

First Fridays

Graduations

Holiday Parties

Homeschool Events

Luaus

New Years Eve Party

PROMS

Quincenaneras

Rehearsal Dinners

Scouting Events

Sports Events

Sweet 16 Parties

Themed Events

Weddings

beautiful southern belles hold their fun caricatures in front  of a field in Baldwin County, AL

Nearby Venues I travel to include

Little Point Clear, The Grand Hotel in Fairhope AL, Jesse's Resaurant, Oak Hollow Farm, Weeks Bay Plantation, Izenstone,  Waters Edge Venue, 

The Venue, James P Nix Senior Center, Halstead Ampitheater, Daphne Civic Center, Fairhope Civic Center, The Balcony, Belforest Point, Spanish Fort Community Center, The Garden at Bella Sera, Silverhill Community Center, Fairhope Farm, The Venue at Hidden Lakes, Gulf Shores Wedding Chapel, Heron Point at the Wharf, 

Glory Farms, The Bohemian at Owa, The Wharf, Orange Beach Event Center, Allegro Weddings and Event Center, The Sanctuary Event Center in Pensacola, The Barkley House Pensacola, the Pensacola Chabad Jewish Center, Court of De Luna Event Space, Palafox Wharf, WATERFRONT wedding & Event Venue, Orange Beach Community Center, The Hangout, The Beach Club Resort of Fort Morgan AL, Perdido Resort, Turquoise, Jesse's on the bay, Coastal Event Center Mobile AL, Richards- Dar House, Mobile Convention Center, Mobile Civic Center, Althestan Club, Mobile Yacht Club, Fairhope Yacht Club, Daphne Yacht Club, Crown Hall, Allure Event Center, Gulfquest, Social Entertainment Event Center Mobile, Bellingrath Gardens, Hermitage-Rippy Estate, Hatcher Farms Venue, The Elizabeth in grand bay, The Locale, Richard-Dar House Museum, the Bohemian Hall at Owa, The port at Zekes, Legacy Oaks Venue, Veranda, The Bridge Waterfront venue gulf breeze FL, Pier Suite, Gulf Breeze Community Center, Navarre Conference Center, Elks Lodge, KM Beach Weddings, Emerald Coast Convention Center, Fort Walton Yacht Club, Bayview Event Center, Buccaneer Yacht Club  Lake Forest Yacht Club, The Locale, Prestige Event Center Mobile, The Elizabeth in Grand Bay, Acorn Lane Farm, Little Foot Farm,The Island Club Dauphin Island, Biloxi Civic Center,The Stables,Conrad Mallettte Arena, Foley Sports Complex at Owa, Boomtown event center, the Slavonian Lodge, Shular event center, Orange Grove Community Center Pascagoula MS, Fountainbleau, Bayisde Wedding & Events,  Seacoast Wedding, Sky Zone, Urban Air, Gulf Coast Zoo, The Factory GUlf Shores, Pensacola Events Center, The Parlor of Lorraine, Magnolia Hall Clubhouse, Jesses Magnolia Springs AL, Harmony Hall, West Side COmmunity Center MS, Gaston Point Community Center MS, The Randolph Center in Pass Christian MS, Bay St Louis Community Hall, MS, Lakeshore Community Center MS, the Bridges Clubhouse Grill, Pinewood Country Club New Orleans, The Ernest M Morial Comnvention Center in New Orleans LA, 

The Eventistry venue LA,  

The Luxury Hall New Orleans LA, 

As You Wish Weddings LA,                  Emerald Coast Event Center, 

Beau Rivage Casino MS, Island View Casino, Harrah's Casino Gulf Coast, IP Casino, Scarlett Pearl Casino, Golden Nugget Biloxi MS, Palace Casino MS, Hard Rock Hotel Biloxi, MGM Resorts International Biloxi MS, Island View Casino Resort Biloxi, Treasure Bay casino and Hotel MS, Silver Slipper Casino Hotel, Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast, Ceasar's New Orleans, Harrah's New Orleans, New Orleans Marriott, Metairie Fairgrounds, Pensacola Fairgrounds, Mobile Fairgrounds

Grand Casino Biloxi, 

and anywhere else you want to HAVE FUN!

I travel to 


Pensacola FL, Mobile AL, New Orleans LA, Montrose AL, Spanish Fort AL, Fairhope AL, Point Clear AL, Loxley AL, Silverhill AL, Stapleton AL, Robertsdale AL, Summerdale AL, Mobile AL, Chickasaw AL, Tillmans Corner AL, Magnolia Springs AL, Theodore AL, Saraland AL, Foley AL, Satsuma AL, Irvington AL, Bay Minette AL, Creola AL, Semmes AL, Elberta AL, Bon Secour AL, Daphne AL, Belforest AL, Barnwell AL, Lillian AL, Josephine AL, gulf shores AL, gulf breeze FL, orange beach AL, Fort Morgan AL, Fort Walton Beach AL, Panama City FL, Pensacola FL, Pensacola Beach FL, Destin FL,  Biloxi MS, Ocean Springs MS, Gulfport MS, Pascagoula MS, Hattiesburg MS, Jackson MS,  Milton FL, Defuniak Springs FL, Pace FL, Mississippi, Bay Saint Louis MS, Louisiana, New Orleans LA, Dauphin Island AL, Mobile AL, Slidell LA, Covington LA, Bogalusa LA, picayune MS, Mandeville LA, Metarie LA, Gautier MS, Vancleave MS, Grand Bay AL, bayou la Batre AL, Birmingham AL, Huntsville AL, Talahassee FL, Orlando FL,  Lucedale MS, Chunchula AL,  atmore AL, point clear AL, Mount Vernon AL, Silverhill AL, Beulah AL, Elsanor AL, Seminole AL, satsuma AL, Citronelle AL , Mifflin AL, Perdido beach FL, Perdido Key FL, Seminole FL, Muskogee FL, ferry pass FL, Gonzalez FL, Bellview FL, west Pensacola FL, Myrtle grove FL, Warrington FL, midway FL, Florabama, Florala , garçon point FL, Avalon beach FL, midway FL, East Milton FL, Navarre FL, Navarre BEach FL, Santa Rosa Beach FL, Mary Esther FL, Niceville FL, lake Lorraine FL, Miramar beach FL, Santa Rosa Island FL, Freeport FL, Crestview FL, Springhill FL, molino FL, flomaton FL,  Georgia, Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida, and Anywhere you want her to come spread joy and laughter!

cartoon of jesus telling mario and his friends including Sonic that He saved the world

"I do my best to be a credit
to my Lord and Savior,
Jesus Christ, without whom
I am nothing."

- Kathy Buskett 
Christian Caricaturist &
Christian Entertainer

Reach me at

702-755-0828

kathybuskett@gmail.com

105 avon circle

Daphne, AL 36532

Accessibility Statement: This website is constantly being updated and is accessible to the best of my ability. If you find any issues please contact me and tell me about them and I will fix them. You can reach me at kathybuskett@gmail.com

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All rights reserved Kathy Buskett 2025

Nearby Venues I travel to include

Little Point Clear, The Grand Hotel in Fairhope AL, Jesse's Resaurant, Oak Hollow Farm, Weeks Bay Plantation, Izenstone,  Waters Edge Venue, 

The Venue, James P Nix Senior Center, Halstead Ampitheater, Daphne Civic Center, Fairhope Civic Center, The Balcony, Belforest Point, Spanish Fort Community Center, The Garden at Bella Sera, Silverhill Community Center, Fairhope Farm, The Venue at Hidden Lakes, Gulf Shores Wedding Chapel, Heron Point at the Wharf, 

Glory Farms, The Bohemian at Owa, The Wharf, Orange Beach Event Center, Allegro Weddings and Event Center, The Sanctuary Event Center in Pensacola, The Barkley House Pensacola, the Pensacola Chabad Jewish Center, Court of De Luna Event Space, Palafox Wharf, WATERFRONT wedding & Event Venue, Orange Beach Community Center, The Hangout, The Beach Club Resort of Fort Morgan AL, Perdido Resort, Turquoise, Jesse's on the bay, Coastal Event Center Mobile AL, Richards- Dar House, Mobile Convention Center, Mobile Civic Center, Althestan Club, Mobile Yacht Club, Fairhope Yacht Club, Daphne Yacht Club, Crown Hall, Allure Event Center, Gulfquest, Social Entertainment Event Center Mobile, Bellingrath Gardens, Hermitage-Rippy Estate, Hatcher Farms Venue, The Elizabeth in grand bay, The Locale, Richard-Dar House Museum, the Bohemian Hall at Owa, The port at Zekes, Legacy Oaks Venue, Veranda, The Bridge Waterfront venue gulf breeze FL, Pier Suite, Gulf Breeze Community Center, Navarre Conference Center, Elks Lodge, KM Beach Weddings, Emerald Coast Convention Center, Fort Walton Yacht Club, Bayview Event Center, Buccaneer Yacht Club  Lake Forest Yacht Club, The Locale, Prestige Event Center Mobile, The Elizabeth in Grand Bay, Acorn Lane Farm, Little Foot Farm,The Island Club Dauphin Island, Biloxi Civic Center,The Stables,Conrad Mallettte Arena, Foley Sports Complex at Owa, Boomtown event center, the Slavonian Lodge, Shular event center, Orange Grove Community Center Pascagoula MS, Fountainbleau, Bayisde Wedding & Events,  Seacoast Wedding, Sky Zone, Urban Air, Gulf Coast Zoo, The Factory GUlf Shores, Pensacola Events Center, The Parlor of Lorraine, Magnolia Hall Clubhouse, Jesses Magnolia Springs AL, Harmony Hall, West Side COmmunity Center MS, Gaston Point Community Center MS, The Randolph Center in Pass Christian MS, Bay St Louis Community Hall, MS, Lakeshore Community Center MS, the Bridges Clubhouse Grill, Pinewood Country Club New Orleans, The Ernest M Morial Comnvention Center in New Orleans LA, 

The Eventistry venue LA,  

The Luxury Hall New Orleans LA, 

As You Wish Weddings LA,                  Emerald Coast Event Center, 

Beau Rivage Casino MS, Island View Casino, Harrah's Casino Gulf Coast, IP Casino, Scarlett Pearl Casino, Golden Nugget Biloxi MS, Palace Casino MS, Hard Rock Hotel Biloxi, MGM Resorts International Biloxi MS, Island View Casino Resort Biloxi, Treasure Bay casino and Hotel MS, Silver Slipper Casino Hotel, Hollywood Casino Gulf Coast, Ceasar's New Orleans, Harrah's New Orleans, New Orleans Marriott, Metairie Fairgrounds, Pensacola Fairgrounds, Mobile Fairgrounds

Grand Casino Biloxi, 

and anywhere else you want to HAVE FUN!

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