A Caricature of David Bowie by Artist Tielman Cheaney

I drew this caricature shortly after David Bowie passed away in early 2016. I had always thought that his differently colored eyes were the result of contact lenses, but they’re actually the consequences of a fistfight he was in as a teenager… as fistfight with a lifelong friend and collaborator.

I tend to play it safe in caricature, but at that time everybody at the stand was drawing David Bowie, so I had some competition. It was made more difficult by his decade-to-decade transition to different fashion choices.

Caricature of Bernie Sanders by Tielman Cheaney

Here’s a caricature from the 2016 presidential race, when Bernie Sanders was running against Hillary.

He was really pushing for that social democracy. You know, the one the kids just can’t get enough of. It seemed sometimes like he was running a bargain-basement markdown sale. Everything must go! College! Hospitals! Maternity leave! It’s all free! The rich 1% will foot the bill!

And it’s fun to draw politicians. They’re not the chisel-jawed handsome celebrities that caricature artists often attempt.

Cartoon of FLo, the Progressive insurance lady, by Mike Warden

Mike’s Caricature of Flo, the Progressive Insurance Lady

Cartoon of FLo, the Progressive insurance lady, by Mike Warden

Flo, the Progressive Insurance Lady

Leave it to Mike to find a cultural touchstone that’s anchored firmly to a time and place.  Anyone looking at this caricature after 2020 will be hard-pressed to remember that, for a few years, Progressive Insurance had a highly recognizable mascot in the form of Flo, an eager and helpful employee.  She wanted nothing more than to help people save on car insurance.  While this caricature was on display at the stand, visitors from around the country would stop, recognize her with delight, and laugh.

Then they’d laugh again upon reading some of the captions.  Not that Mike felt any particular malice towards Progressive, he just managed to get in a nod to another insurance company’s catchphrase in Flo’s speech bubble.

Of course, my favorite part is the bumper sticker that says “Hit me, I need the money!”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eG4tLPtAMcE

Caricature of Jason Lee as Earl, by Mike Warden

Caricature of Earl by Mike Warden

Caricature of Jason Lee as Earl, by Mike Warden

Earl

And here’s a caricature of Jason Lee from My Name is Earl, by Mike Warden.  It’s pretty cute… and especially funny when you take the time to read his list.  He’s in Las Vegas, and the things he needs to make amends for are very Vegas-specific.  You can see the remnants of Mike’s own experiences on Fremont Street there, where Earl feels bad that he “Took a picture with Sponge Bob and didn’t tip.”  Fremont street is home to a wide variety of costumed actors who survive off of tips given to them by tourists after taking a photo.  Wouldn’t it be just like Earl to stiff one of the poor guys.