What a BLAST at 2021 ISCAcon!

ISCAcon30 – A Caricature Artists Dreamland!

Wow! What a blast the 2021 ISCAcon30 was. This year’s event took place November 14-19 in Las Vegas at the Golden Nugget Casino. There were almost 200 Caricature Artists in attendance and the week was filled with networking, seminars, competition, and the perfect opportunity for artists from all over the world to recharge their batteries and find inspiration.

ISCAcon is an annual artist conference hosted by the International Society of Caricature Artists (ISCA) it is a non-profit trade organization dedicated to elevating the art and artists of caricature. The organization was originally called the National Caricature Network (NCN). The first convention was hosted 30 years ago in Cancun, Mexico. FUN FACT: Goofy Faces owner Robert Bauer was the longest-serving President of ISCA from 2007-2009 and he still serves on the Advisory Committee today. Robert came up with the new name, International Society of Caricature Artists back in 2008.

This year’s event was one for the books! The talented Lindsey Olivares was the 2021 guest speaker. Lindsey is the production designer and lead character designer on Sony Pictures Animation’s original feature comedy “The Mitchells vs. The Machines.” She has also been a part of “Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted,” “Penguins of Madagascar,” “Trolls,” and “The Emoji Movie”. Lindsey is also a member of ISCA and has previously won the Silver Nosey.

Throughout the week artists have the ability to show their creativity. The competition begins Monday morning and wraps up Thursday afternoon. Caricatures aren’t just what we imagine seeing at a festival or wedding either. Artists showcase a true form of artistry. On Wednesday Goofy Faces was proud to sponsor the 2021 Speed Competition and crown the World’s Fastest Caricaturist. The objective is to draw as many faces as possible in 5 minutes.

• First Place: Steve Dorris with 26 completed Caricatures
• Second Place: Alani Jimenez with 19 completed Caricautres
• Third Place: Chris Chua with 18 completed Caricatures

The week wrapped up on Friday and ended with an awards banquet. Congratulations to all the 2021 winners (all winners with a * are Goofy Faces artists and can be booked via their link):

This Year’s Silver Nosey Award Winner (Caricature Artists of the Year) Daniel Stieglitz

Top 10 Caricaturists of the Year

• Golden Nosey – Hitomi Ishihara
• Silver Nosey – Daniel Stieglitz
• Bronze Nosey – Kev Jackson
• 4th Place – Ash Stryker *
• 5th Place – Lindsey Olivares
• 6th Place – Glenn Ferguson
• 7th Place – Damon Renthrope
• 8th Place – Kiko Yamada*
• 9th Place – Joe Bluhm*
• 10th Place – Jan Op Dee Beeck

DID YOU KNOW…The award is called the nosey because people get most particular about how their nose is drawn in a caricature drawing!

Top 10 Caricatures of the Year

• 1st Place – Daniel Stieglitz
• 2nd Place – Joe Bluhm*
• 3rd Place – Michael Graessle*
• 4th Place – Jan Op De Beeck
• 5th Place – Manny Avetisyan
• 6th Place – Jeffrey Pecina
• 7th Place – Kev Jackson
• 8th Place – Ash Stryker*
• 9th Place – Kev Jackson
• 10th Place – Damon Renthrope

Speed Competition

Speed Competition Winner – Goofy Face’s own Steve Dorris!

• 1st Place – Steve Dorris*
• 2nd Place – Alani Jimenez*
• 3rd Place – Chris Chua

Likeness Competition

• 1st Place – Benjamin Vincent*
• 2nd Place – Ali Thome*
• 3rd Place – Damon Renthrope

Live Event Competition

• 1st Place – Daniel Stieglitz
• 2nd Place – Alani Jimenez*
• 3rd Place – Ali Thome*

Ismael Roldan Rookie of the Year

• Xavier Holt

Best Reaction Video

• 1st Place – Chris Chua
• 2nd Place – Eric Goodwin
• 3rd Place – Alani Jimenez*

Best Retail Caricature

• 1st Place – Kiko Yamada*
• 2nd Place – Damon Renthrope
• 3rd Place – Eric Goodwin

Best Animated Caricature

Best Compilation Caricature Photo! Can you find Robert?

• 1st Place – Kento Hino
• 2nd Place – Benjamin Lane
• 3rd Place – Xavier Holt

Guest of Honor (Lindsey Olivares) Award

• Eric Goodwin

Outstanding Group Composition

• 1st Place – Daniel Stieglitz
• 2nd Place – Manny Avetisyan
• 3rd Place – Chris Moore*

Most Humorous

• 1st Place – Celestia Ward*
• 2nd Place – Robert Hume
• 3rd Place – Lindsey Olivares

Outstanding Monochromatic Technique

• 1st Place – Don Pinsent
• 2nd Place – Robin Schwartzman*
• 3rd Place – Benjamin Vincent

Outstanding Color Technique

• 1st Place – Erik Roadfeldt*
• 2nd Place – Mae Adao
• 3rd Place – Hitomi Ishihar

Outstanding Minimalist Technique

Nealon, Kevin Nealon. Only Nealon…

• 1st Pace – Miki Saito
• 2nd Place – Nathan Watson
• 3rd Place – Kunikazu Noguchi

Outstanding Exaggerated Style

• 1st Place – Eric Goodwin
• 2nd Place – Andrew Pungot
• 3rd Place – Damon Renthrope

Outstanding 3D Technique

• 1st Place – Jorge Torrealba
• 2nd Place – Chinami Nashida
• 3rd Place – David O’Keefe*

Outstanding Cartoon Style

• 1st Place – Robert Hume
• 2nd Place – Kiko Yamada*
• 3rd Place – Hitomi Ishihara

Most Innovative Technique

• 1st Place – Jorge Torrealba
• 2nd Place – Athena Greenleaf
• 3rd Place – Jared Stokes

Best Studio Piece

• 1st Place – Ash Stryker*
• 2nd Place – Hitomi Ishihara
• 3rd Place – Bernd “Orange” Weidenhauer

And as we close the books on the 2021 event Caricature artists from all over the world begin to look forward to ISCAcon31 which will be held November 13-20,2022 in Orlando, FL. For more information about next year’s event visit www.caricature.org/ISCAcon3. And to become an ISCA member visit www.caricature.org/join-us.

If you have any questions about this year’s event or would like to book an ISCAcon30 winner call 248-652-8910 or email [email protected]

‘Tis The Season To Be Goofy!

We’re Expert Gift Givers!

The warm glow of Holiday lights fills the air and even though you can’t imagine eating another bite, the smell of cookies might be too tempting to ignore. A perfectly wrapped box catches your eye. It’s got your name on the tag. Excitedly you slide your fingers through the wrapping paper. The anticipation builds, and when the paper finally yields to what is inside, you see that it is….socks?! Another sweater?! A kitchen gadget that will never see the outside of your cabinets?! More lotion and candles?!

Imagine if, instead, you pulled back the wrapping to find an amazing, one-of-a-kind drawing staring back at you! Picture a custom, hand-drawn caricature of you, your friends, or your loved ones. How much more memorable would that be instead of your average Holiday gift? Or, even better, imagine the look on the faces of your family and friends as they unwrap a caricature drawing that is sure to bring smiles to their faces and that cherished Holiday laughter into the air. It will be anything but a silent night. You can be everyone’s favorite Santa by giving the gift of a Goofy Faces drawing.

This year has brought unprecedented challenges in many areas of life. Global supply chain disruptions threaten the availability of electronics, toys, and other typical Holiday gifts. It is as though the Grinch himself has grabbed ahold of the world’s economy. Not so fast, though, Mr. Grinch. Goofy Faces can be counted on to deliver unique and memorable drawings that don’t rely on microchips or container ships. The only raw material is the imagination of the nationwide network of artists, and their imagination is never in short supply!

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Some Holiday guests bring cheer by entering through the chimney, but Goofy Faces artists are ready to bring tidings of comfort and joy by entering through your front door (though arriving via sleigh isn’t out of the question)! Hire an artist to come draw at your Holiday gathering and ensure that it will be a party no one will ever forget. Want a drawing of your family wearing matching sweaters? Sure! How about a drawing of your dog with reindeer antlers? You got it! Any way in which you want to capture the fun and memories of the evening, Goofy Faces can make it happen.

Hiring Goofy Faces to attend your upcoming party is simple to do! Whether your party is in person or virtual, you can book your artist in advance or last minute. If you are looking for the perfect gift, look no further…Goofy Faces offers many different caricature packages that you can custom order right here.

‘Tis the season to make memories! For more information visit goofyfaces.com or call 248-652-8910.

Don’t just take it from us, here’s what some of our amazing Goofy Faces clients have said about our artists!

Angela from Southgate, Michigan said. “Both artists were amazingly talented and genuinely nice people. We enjoyed having them at our event and would hire them again in a second.”

Elisha R. said, “Our artists arrived early, began early, and even stayed late to make sure everyone who wanted a picture was able to get one. Thanks!”

Lastly, J.D. from Lawrence, Kansas said, “We were absolutely in love with our artist. She was fast, friendly, and efficient. We received many requests to bring her to our future events and the fee was extremely reasonable. I would book from Goofy Faces again in a heartbeat!”

Each and every artist that we employ loves what they do and want to make sure that your event is a memorable experience. Invite us to your wedding or corporate party. We look forward to celebrating with you soon!

Our artists are so talented and draw extremely fast! In fact, Goofy Faces is the proud sponsor of the World’s Fastest Caricature Artist, 2021 Speed Competition that was held during ISCACON 30 in November. ISCA stands for the International Society of Caricature Artists. Each year they hold an annual caricature convention where the most talented artists in the world gather for a week to learn, compete, network, and most of all, draw! And Goofy Faces was there to help crown this year’s fastest artists in Las Vegas. Check out our next blog as we go into greater detail recapping the highlights of this year’s ISCACON!

Wedding Trends of a Century – Now, It’s All Changed

The wedding industry is powerful. On average weddings in the United States generate 60 billion dollars and that’s not even including the cost of a honeymoon which is an additional 4-8 billion dollars! As the industry grows the trends become more detailed. But how exactly has the industry changed in the past 100 years?

1920s Trends

In the 1920s were an elaborate occasion just like wedding dresses. Dresses were heavily beaded and embroidered. Brides had an extremely large bouquet to walk down the aisle. Guests enjoyed a shrimp cocktail, baked ham, and caramel custard. And the average wedding costs around $400.

1930s Trends

When couples were planning weddings during the 1930s they were very simple due to the great depression. Most brides wore their “Sunday Best” outfits or a newly purchased white dress and engagement rings were art deco inspired. The ceremonies were very intimate too.

1940s Trends

Due to World War II, wedding planning was simplified. Most couples had a very short engagement. Brides loved large headpieces, red lipstick, and DIY decor for the reception. The entertainment was a large band playing swing music for the newlyweds and guests to enjoy.

1950s Trends

The 1950s introduced the beloved Jordan Almonds. Brides began wearing ballgowns. And wedding cakes became large, elaborate, and tiered for all guests to enjoy. Many dinners included a salad with jello, a cheese whiz appetizer, steak, and a banana split for dessert.

1960s Trends

Colored wedding pictures, metallic colors, and daisies were the wedding trends of the decade. The most common place to host a reception was at home. And the refreshment of choice was a non-alcoholic sherbert drink.

1970s Trends

Brides fell in love with flower crowns, men wore colored tuxedos, and large outdoor weddings were on-trend. The most common bridesmaid color was either yellow or orange. The top three songs to play at reception were “Dancing Queen”, “September”, and “Staying Alive”. Guests loved eating pineapple chicken for dinner too.

1980s Trends

Everything about the 1980s was bigger than ever; dresses, guest lists, cakes, and bouquets. Many brides modeled their big day after Princess Diana but on a budget. The ultimate must-have was to hire a videographer.

1990s Trends

Bridal parties were matchy-matchy in the 1990s. Bridesmaids’ dresses, hair, and makeup were exactly the same. The guests’ list began to shrink and couples began to elope, at least until the  boom of 1997 which exploded due to the popular matrimony movies Father of the Bride and Runaway Bride.

2000s Trends

Weddings became very personalized. Brides and bridesmaids were wearing satin. Guest lists continued to become intimate but receptions were hosted at country clubs and hotels to give an extravagant feel. Couples loved cupcake towers for guests to enjoy too. FUN FACT: Goofy Faces began drawing at weddings in 2007!

2010s Trends

The goal was to give a one-of-a-kind experience. Couples thought through every single detail like signage, vows, entertainment, and specialty cocktails. What the groom was wearing was personalized; cuff links, tie, socks, and type of suit. Brides were once again inspired by royalty. And photobooths were all the rage! Want to learn more about wedding trends? Visit this link from  Brides.com

Invite Goofy Faces to Your Wedding!

Trends Today

Fast forward to 2021 and planning a wedding is different. Most engaged couples have had to rethink what their dream day would look like. Some couples had their celebration in 2020 and 2021 but it was much different than they anticipated. According to The Knot, 47% of couples postponed several times and are just now getting married. And let us not forget all the couples who got engaged and delayed getting married until they could find a venue or date to have a wedding.

The most common trend at a wedding today is love conquers all. Celebrations happening this fall and winter are proof of that. Typically the upcoming months November, December, and January are the “off-season” but not this year. Couples will have pictures with exploding fall colors or snowy days to remember. And wedding guests are very excited to celebrate this long-overdue occasion.

As you are planning your big day don’t forget to think about how you can remind your guests about how love conquers all years down the road. The easiest way to do this is by hiring Goofy Faces as your event entertainment. Our artists will make sure every guest has a smile on their face, a memorable time, and a good laugh which are the best experiences for your guest. Goofy Faces has artists nationwide and can be booked in advance, last minute, on weekends, or weekdays with any size budget. Most importantly the newlyweds and guests will have a caricature drawing to remember your big day for years to come. For more information visit goofyfaces.com/events/weddings/ or call 248-652-8910.

Not sure of the costs? Don’t worry, we added a super easy-to-use event pricing calculator on our website. Try it Here!

The Holiday Season is on the Horizon – Make Your Party Perfect!

Now that summer has come to a close many begin looking forward to the holiday season. The anticipation of finding the perfect Halloween costume begins. The search for a delicious side dish to bring to Thanksgiving dinner. Starting to compile lists of everything you’ll need to accomplish during the Christmas and holiday season. And planning for New Year’s Eve resolutions to make 2022 the best year yet. There is no doubt that this holiday season is going to be extra special. Family, friends, and colleagues are looking forward to gathering at upcoming holiday parties.

Ready to Entertain your Holiday Party!

Halloween

Do you remember the excitement you felt about Halloween as a kid? The hours you spent planning your costume, thinking about a spooky design to display on your pumpkin, and looking forward to going to your classroom party during the day and a friend’s Halloween party at night. And once you got older the excitement of gathering with friends and family was a much-anticipated weekend event. Halloween is one of the largest events in the United States with an expected $8.5 billion dollars to be spent on costumes, decor, and parties! According to Greeting Island here are a few tips to make your party memorable:

1. Determine the theme and send a spooky invite.
2. Keep everyone fed with Halloween-themed food.
3. Have a cauldron with a festive punch.
4. Create a Halloween playlist. (Great Ideas Here)
5. Make sure to find entertainment that’s enjoyable for guests of ALL ages (Goofy Faces agrees)!

Thanksgiving

This year we celebrate the 400th anniversary of Thanksgiving. It was a three-day event without any turkey to be served. But as the years have gone by, the holiday has drastically transformed. In 1621, the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Native Americans shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies. For more than two centuries, days of thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states.

Despite all the stress of traveling and preparing a delicious dinner for friends and family, Thanksgiving is a time to remember how thankful we are for good health, family, friends, pets, job, and a place to call home. It’s a friendly reminder when hosting or attending your annual thanksgiving party to take a step back and capture the moments with your camera and take a family portrait. And if you’re at your annual school or work Thanksgiving party it’s important to find a way to make the day memorable with the friends and colleagues you spend so much time with. Fun fact: Goofy Faces can recreate your family portrait into something extra special to give to your family members.

December Holidays

Invite us to your Holiday Party!

The hustle and bustle of the December holiday season can go by in the blink of an eye. Lists are being compiled, travel plans are being made, and the eagerness of the new year is on the horizon. The December calendar also fills quickly with a variety of parties to attend, school, work, family, friends, and more!

This year over 70% of companies will plan a holiday party and it will be held at a hotel, restaurant, or a location where all guests can be active. And 2 of 5 Americans will gather with family or friends to celebrate the holiday season. Regardless of the type of party you’re attending or planning there is one thing they all have in common and that is finding memorable entertainment for everyone to enjoy.

Whether you’re hosting a Halloween, Thanksgiving, or Holiday party, ensuring all guests have an unforgettable time filled with laughter is important and Goofy Faces has YOU covered! Over the years our artists are experienced being the featured entertainment at corporate, school, family, and friend’s parties.

Our artists are located nationwide and can attend holiday parties either in person or virtually. Artists are easy to hire and more than one artist can be booked at a time. Goofy Faces works with budgets of all sizes and depending on the number of guests and needs of your event more than one artist can be booked at a time by using our event calculator. And the best part is our artists offer a variety of different types of entertainment: traditional or remote caricatures, caricature coasters, artistic encounters, face painting, and eSketches™. Here are some great examples of when to hire Goofy Faces for your upcoming party:

• Halloween
• Friendsgiving
• Corporate
• School or classroom celebrations
• Christmas
• New Year’s Eve

Most importantly Goofy Faces artists love to make sure your guests are happy when celebrating this holiday season. All artists can draw at events safely, obeying the latest CDC COVID-19 guidelines too. Visit goofyfaces.com to book Goofy Faces for your upcoming holiday party (we do recommend booking sooner than later) or call 1-248-652-8910 today!

Worried about pricing? We installed a super easy-to-use Event Calculator on our Goofy Faces Website in order to anticipate your costs!

Don’t just take it from us, here’s what some of our amazing Goofy Faces clients have said about our artists!

Angela from Southgate, Michigan said. “Both artists were amazingly talented and genuinely nice people. We enjoyed having them at our event and would hire them again in a second.”

Elisha R. said, “Our artists arrived early, began early, and even stayed late to make sure everyone who wanted a picture was able to get one. Thanks!”

Lastly, J.D. from Lawrence, Kansas said, “We were absolutely in love with our artist. She was fast, friendly, and efficient. We received many requests to bring her to our future events and the fee was extremely reasonable. I would book from Goofy Faces again in a heartbeat!”

Each and every artist that we employ loves what they do and want to make sure that your event is a memorable experience. Invite us to your wedding or corporate party. We look forward to celebrating with you soon!

Creating Back to School Memories for the Next Generation

Back-to-school event review!

It starts with the commercials on TV about school supplies and clothing deals, welcome letters from new teachers about back-to-school night, and the changes in the weather that remind us the 2021-2022 school year is quickly approaching. Do you remember the feeling of being a kid growing up with your favorite school supplies from the 70s, 80s, or 90s?

Now it’s our turn to watch our children and grandchildren create the same memories and feelings about back to school. But this year back to school is going to be even more special than we remember! Students, families, and staff will be coming together to build their community for the upcoming school year after a year of being apart. Countries all over the world start the school year with different traditions to create memories and build their communities.

Back to School In Germany

Since the early 19th century Germany has loved to make back-to-school sweet! The most important tradition is on the first day of school for each child to receive a Schultüte. Translated, it means “school bag” but it’s actually a cone-shaped package with school supplies and treats for the upcoming school year. Either the school gives them to the children or parents can purchase them at a local store.

In Russia

“Day of Knowledge” is how Russia starts the new school year. It’s not just for students either! Students and parents gather outside of the school and give teachers colorful bouquets of fresh flowers and students receive a colorful balloon in return!

In India

In India, the first day of school is called Pravesanolsavam. Children receive special presents to mark the occasion. One of the most popular gifts besides school supplies is to receive an umbrella because when the school year begins, it’s during the monsoon months.

In the United States

Now booking back-to-school events!

Back to school in the United States fills our calendars with busy schedules of college move-in day, freshman orientation, back-to-school night, after-school programs, sporting events, fall festivals, welcome week, homecoming dances, and more! Capturing these moments after a year of unprecedented times is more important than ever because many went without any physical memories of the previous school year.

As an event planner, we suggest adding a Goofy Faces artist to your event to capture memories and create laughter. Everyone will receive a keepsake that they can have forever. Whether you want an individual picture or you want to do a group picture, we’ve got you covered!

The cost of our artists varies on the type of artwork, the number of guests, and the time frame. But don’t let that deter you. Goofy Faces excels in school. For more information visit goofyfaces.com/contact/ or call 248-652-8910. We installed an easy-to-use wedding artists cost calculator on our Goofy Faces Website. Feel free to visit our site for more information in regards to booking an artist!

No matter how you’re starting this school year, with in-person or virtual learning, it’s important to create a tradition that will give the children exciting memories when starting a new school year.

Don’t just take it from us, here’s what some of our amazing Goofy Faces clients have said about our artists!

Angela from Southgate, Michigan said. “Both artists were amazingly talented and genuinely nice people. We enjoyed having them at our event and would hire them again in a second.”

Elisha R. said, “Our artists arrived early, began early, and even stayed late to make sure everyone who wanted a picture was able to get one. Thanks!”

Lastly, J.D. from Lawrence, Kansas said, “We were absolutely in love with our artist. She was fast, friendly, and efficient. We received many requests to bring her to our future events and the fee was extremely reasonable. I would book from Goofy Faces again in a heartbeat!”