Pop Art (Balloons by Dave)
- New Haven, CT
- Balloon Twister
- 14 miles from
- $150-200/hr per artist
- 73 Verified bookings
Hi! My name is Judy. Since 2003, I have created distinctly atypical, flattering, “spot-on” or “cute” caricature portraits (or what I have dubbed “portraicatures”) for school or corporate events, Mitzvahs, birthdays, grads, wedding, showers, plus each year. I serve Southern NE, eastern NYS (NO Manhattan or boroughs). Hourly rates: $135 per hour, plus sliding scale travel fee based on distance. I work in color or BW, ink/ sharpie markers and color marker, pastels and or pencils. References/ precise quote upon request. Book 4-6 weeks prior for best chance of availability. Can create on iPad, and email w photos or FaceTime/Zoom remotely if desired. Thanks for considering!
16 reviews
Jeannie F.
January 21, 2025Everyone really enjoyed having their caricaturist done at our company holiday party. Judy was great and she did a wonderful job, she had a line of people excited to have theirs done.
Hired as: Caricaturist
JT Art & Design / Caricatures
Thank you so much, Jeannie for the great review! It was a fun event and I also really appreciated the generous tip that I received from your nephew. I look forward to potentially doing other events for you if they ever come up in the future or for any of your employees.
Tori C.
December 10, 2024Absolute hit with our residents! She did an incredible job capturing everyone with such skill and charm. The only regret we have is not booking her for a longer time—she was that amazing! We will most definitely be booking her again in the future. Highly recommend!
Hired as: Caricaturist
JT Art & Design / Caricatures
Tori, thank you so much for the great review! I was almost gonna ask you if you wanted me to stay longer, but I didn’t have to turn too many people away. I look forward to doing other events for you in the future! Have a happy holiday!
Angela D.
November 5, 2024We had Judy at our wedding this past October, and she was a HUGE hit! All our guests were so excited, and she had a line all night long. Her caricatures are so adorable and was a fun addition to our reception. We received one at a Christmas party a few years ago and just knew we wanted her at our wedding! She is so sweet and such a delight to work with. She even added our cat into my daughter's caricature to make it fun. If you want something other than the over played photo booths Judy and JT Art& Design is the way to go. You and your guests will love it!
Hired as: Caricaturist
JT Art & Design / Caricatures
Hi Angela thank you so much for such a glowing review! I really appreciate it and it was fun night. I always enjoy meeting and drawing people, I’ve always had a fascination with facial distinctions and this work has really brought me out of reserve as well!
Magdalena P.
June 7, 2023Judy was a pleasure to work with. She had everyone at our event smiling! Very professional and skilled at capturing each individual's unique traits. Highly recommend Judy and hope she will join us again for future events.
Hired as: Caricaturist
JT Art & Design / Caricatures
Magdalena, it was a really nice event, beautiful weather, and I met some really nice people that I was in able to chat with as I drew quickly. Thanks for great review…hope to do future events for your organization!
Sam N.
May 21, 2023I hired JT Art & Design to do caricatures at my brother's graduation party and I'm so glad I did - she was responsive, flexible, wonderfully talented and put smiles on everyone's faces. A perfect way to memorialise a great evening. Thanks so much!
Hired as: Caricaturist
JT Art & Design / Caricatures
Thank you so much for the wonderful review Sam, I’m sorry I didn’t get to meet you in person. It was a fun night!
Price range: Contact for rates
Languages: English
Gig length: 120 - 300 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Commercial general liability
Caricatures are great fun and are the only “permanent” product of artistic entertainment at parties, providing children and adults alike with uniquely personalized mementos/souvenirs from any festive event. Being a self-taught caricaturist/portrait artist (and formally educated graphic designer), I have always loved to draw people in particular, with a knack for capturing a true resemblance. As a natural extension of my talent for being able to capture a person, I have developed a unique caricature style. There is a style out there for everyone, and you should not be disappointed! I am proud to have pleased many customers over the years who have often said I made them look "better" than they felt they looked in real life! no kiddin! I bring my own materials, tabletop easel (for use on a table provided), paper and plastic bags for protection, clip on light, and or tripod, or digital lights, if necessary, as well as an outgoing, engaging personality and will help to make you feel at ease.
A full-time graphic designer for over 20 years, after a layoff, I forged head on into the world of self-employment, trying to best utilize my God-given talents and interests, one being a fascination with the distinctness in faces, and an enjoyment and ability to draw them accurately!
As a result, I have increasingly drawn live caricatures, and gift caricature commissions for business, school, non-profit, corporate and private customers, for everything from first birthdays to lots of weddings in recent years especially — to corporate events, and have had a number of repeat gigs and customers. Because of my natural ability to capture my subjects, I developed a unique caricature style-- really a hybrid of a portrait and a caricature “portraicature”, decidedly different than the over-exaggerated or “cookie cutter” look alike theme-park style, which may be unkind or grossly inaccurate in portraying a person’s distinctive features. I strive to capture my subjects in a flattering but unique way!
Being a down-to-earth and social person who loves people, I find this work is not work at all, and I am often energized by the process…especially folks gathering around to watch, while chitchatting a bit when music is not too loud, and or there's not a major line. My specialty is not only to provide personalized souvenirs or keepsakes to be taken home, (or hand-drawn "selfies"), but also to serve as a distinctive entertainer. I can enlist other trusted, unique and talented artists for customers requesting more than one, or if I am personally unavailable.
Be sure to ask for a custom quote!
Good or Adequate lighting is requested, or at least 1 outlet to plug in clip on lamp (and table edge or chair back to attach to), pr advise and I can bring digital lights for 2 hour events. If event is outdoors, moderate temps are best, and or shade or under cover. Though I will not hold multiple dates for inclement weather/Acts of God postponements, I will do an alternate date (and may honor initial deposit depending on time, season ) provided I am available, or make every attempt to secure replacement artist in if I am unable to get there, or deposit will be refunded. Otherwise, deposit is non-refundable except in rare circumstances. I normally do not take meal breaks, other than for events during dinner hour that are 3 hours or more for which meal/apps will be provided.
Some caricaturists of note, though very different than my style: Al Hirschfeld, Jack Davis and Tom Richmond come to mind as extremely gifted!
2 or more chairs
Lighting (or nearby outlet and notiflying me to bring light) if darker environment
Cold beverage, preferrably water
Positioning away from DJ speakers
Caricaturist