I will be Facepainting at the Edmonton Neighbourhood Watch West Division is hosting another Community Safety Fair on Saturday, June 23 at the Belmead Community League. Everyone is invited to this community event.

Time: June 23, 2012 from 12pm to 3pm
Location: Belmead Community League
Address: 9109-182 Street
City/Town: Edmonton

Facepainting by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

last year Edmonton Police Helicopter Air One was there too!

Caricatures - Dreamnight at the Zoo

   Once again I drew caricatures at Edmonton Valley Zoo’s private event for families that use the Stollery Children’s Hospital.  I look forward to seeing many families there and am tickled pink when they come and say hello or stand in line to get their annual caricature by me.

Thank you!

Boy smiling with his caricatures at Dreamnight 2012

Caricatures by Edmonton Artist, Laurel Hawkswell
Dreamnight 2012

Edmonton Valley Zoo has partnered with the Stollery Children’s Hospital to join over 230 zoos, aquariums, and parks worldwide in hosting a fantastic event called Dreamnight at the Zoo for its FIFTH year in a row!  Dreamnight is an international event that began at the Rotterdam Zoo in 1996 with the goal of providing an entirely cost free event for chronically ill and disabled children and their families.  Invited guests will have the opportunity to have up-close animal encounters, make an amazing animal craft, indulge in delicious complimentary beverages and tasty treats, and enjoy fabulous face painting, magic shows, science experiments, caricatures, live music, and a variety of surprises throughout the night.

Tim Hortons Camp Day 2012 Window art

    It’s that time of year again folks ... that’s right, it’s Camp Day - Wednesday, June 6th at your local Tim Hortons.  Camp Day is almost as well known as Roll Up The Rim.  Donate to send underprivileged kids to summer camp and give them a fun experience.  It feels good when you do good.

Tim Hortons Camp Day Window Painting

Tim Hortons Camp Day Window Painting

Window Painting by Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Aldergrove Soccer - A little bit of fun!

   A little bit of soccer fun! Are you one of the many adults this time of year having a good time watching your kids playing soccer?

   Sometimes I wonder who's enjoying themselves more, the kids playing or the parents gathered together watching and cheering on the sidelines. I know I've met and made many friends over the years at my kid's sports. I've enjoyed the ride that's for sure.

   Here's a little salute to the coaches who have given their time to the kids. Thanks a bunch!

Edmonton Soccer

Edmonton Artist

The pros of working from home

   There are definitely pros AND cons to working for yourself.  I try not to think about the negatives too much ... afterall, I think it cartoon form most days!  There are days when I get going on artwork and realize I haven't brushed my hair yet and it's 2 p.m.!  There are days when I am running around doing family errands, taking the kids to the dentist, making supper and realize it's 6:30 p.m. and I realize I've done NOTHING that makes me money!  But then there are days when I hand over a painting or drawing or paint a little girl's face at an event, and get artistic praise (not to mention getting paid!) ... and it makes it pretty sweet!

pros AND cons to working for yourself

Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell

Connections 2012 at Churchill Square in Edmonton

   A woman gets a rose henna tattoo with the name of her son from henna artist Laurel Hawkswell is seen during Connections 2012 at Churchill Square in Edmonton, Alberta, on May 15, 2012.

   The City of Edmonton event brought people together with city departments and staff.

A woman gets a rose henna tattoo from henna artist Laurel Hawkswell

IAN KUCERAK/EDMONTON SUN/QMI AGENCY - Edmonton Sun
http://www.edmontonsun.com/2012/05/15/city-connects-with-edmontonians

Edmonton Artist

caricatures at a birthday party for 8 year oldMillennium Park in Sherwood Park twins

  I had a great time doing caricatures at a birthday party for 8 year old twin girls. The kids were awesome and had lots of fun seeing their friends come to life in cartoon form.  Caricatures can be kept simple and faster by just doing head and shoulders, or you can add in their bodies and have them doing one of their favourite things.  Another good reason to chat with people while you draw them - you find out things about them.

kickboxing with Colleen - Caricature

  As you can see ... even the adults ended up getting into the spirit! If you’re at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park [Srathcona County] Alberta, take kickboxing with Colleen ... (^this^ is Colleen!)

Edmonton Artist - leave a comment (to contact) for Laurel Hawkswell below

sign I designed

A sign I designed for Leduc #1 and a presentation they do for youth, talking about rock analysis, fossils, goe-cashing, etc. I love this sign, it’s so bright and colourful. This sign is 3 feet by 4 feet and will be used on a table display.

Leduc #1 Energy Discovery Centre is located about 20 minutes southwest of Edmonton, Alberta Canada.

The Centre is located near the junction of two highways--60 and 19. Highway 19 connects to the Queen Elizabeth II Highway at Nisku and the Edmonton International Airport.

Sign Edmonton Artist Laurel Hawkswell designed for Leduc #1  

Energy Discovery Centre

Edmonton Artist

doodling while watching t.v.

There are a lot of interesting characters on t.v. that you can draw.  Don't get too hung up on details, just get the basic drift.  Drawing for the love of it.

This could either be Wolowitz from Big Bang Theory OR one of the Beatles!?

drawing of Howard Wolowitz from the Big Bang Theory

Edmonton Artist

promotional photo for VIA Rail's ARTISTS ON RAILS trip to Jasper

  I can't believe that more than 10,000 people have viewed this promotional photo!  That's absolutely wild!  Or maybe it's just my mom looking at it a lot (HA!)?

  I took this photo as a photo for VIA Rail's ARTISTS ON RAILS trip I was going from Edmonton to Jasper.  It was pretty cool, riding the train and doing caricatures for passengers then spending a day drawing in a hotel lobby in Jasper.  Then again, drawing on the train back to Edmonton.  The biggest challenge was the slight movement of the train when drawing but I managed to do it.

  Back to the amount of people who has looked at this photo - thank you for taking a moment to look at it, wherever you are!  Laurel Hawkswell

Edmonton Artist Promotional Photo

Edmonton Artist

something great about everyone

What can I say, I saw the documentary "BULLY" (at the Princess Theater on Whyte Ave.) recently and it inspired me.
Aren't these little dudes cute?!

If people make you think that there's nothing awesome about yourself, don't believe it.  You know the truth, you know your own superpowers, your skills, the stuff that makes you one of a kind.

finding something great about people out there

Edmonton Artist

Sometimes Ya Just Gotta Draw

Sometimes Ya Just Gotta Draw

Draw, just to draw. Man it feels good!

Laurél

Caricatures at the The CIM Conference

Doing caricatures at the The Canadian Institute of Mining (CIM) Conference at The Shaw Conference Center, was an evening that flew by so quickly.

Here is a photo of a great young guy I talked to who was enjoying the conference.  Not only do I have a great time drawing, but talking with people as I draw them is a real bonus that goes along with the territory!

I think I may comment on “talking with people” a little too often .... but I can’t help it if I’m a people person! AND it makes the time go faster for the person I’m drawing too.  There’s a tip for ya: If you’re new at doing caricatures ...
smile at them and talk to them.  You’ll get a good sense of what kind of person they are so that you can capture their personality in the caricature:  Are they a REALLY happy person?  If they are, then looking for that huge smile to draw is what you go for.  Some people are captured with a smirk or little grin.

Engineer with his caricature

Edmonton Artist

My Favourite cookbook - cover artwork

I did this artwork for the cover awhile ago and the cookbooks are ready!

If you (or anyone you know) is interested in purchasing a cookbook the cost per book is $15 (all proceeds being donated to the Patient Financial Assistance Program at the Cross Cancer
Institute, Edmonton, Alberta), and if they'd like it shipped to them, the postage is $3.60...total being $18.60. The cookbooks have over 400 tried and true family favourites.

Contact Info for anyone that would like a book
Angie Marklund
myfavoritecookbook@yahoo.ca

My Favourite cookbook - cover artwork

Edmonton Artist

Grandmas are...

There is nobody more special than your Grandma and I am lucky enough to have the best one.  She is one of the most caring people I've ever met who never says a bad word about anyone.  Celebrate your Grandmother every day and treat her like the precious person she is, whether that's by stopping in for a cup of tea or picking up the phone to say hello.

Grandma

Edmonton Artist

window painting at HARVEY’S

   I spent the day window painting at HARVEY’S downtown Edmonton location (find it right across the street from Grant MacEwan’s main campus). This location just got a major face lift with two week’s worth of renovations.  I was surprised at all the things I noticed that had been improved.  Everything from a great looking dark grey floor to the warm wood toned tables and “hey, you didn’t have blinds on the windows before did you!”.  Go in and visit the always friendly owner, Deo and his staff for a wonderful tasting burger!  They are also serving up FRINGS (fries and onion rings in one order).  It’s also a good place to make a really healthy lunch choice:  I had the veggie burger which I think tastes fabulous. 

   I just figured out why my calves are doin’ pretty good .... standing on a ladder all day painting will do that to a person! Age is only a number, get out there and do life!

Edmonton Artist

I had fun drawing and chatting tonight

   I had fun drawing and chatting tonight... at a function for Christenson Developments.  It was a thrill to draw Bryan Hall [Sports Broadcaster on 630 CHED/Global TV Edmonton , CFL Hall of Fame and Alberta Sports Hall of Fame and retired commentator for The Edmonton Eskimos...]. 

   Brian Hall - look at those Grey Cup rings on his fingers. I think he's earned them after being the Edmonton Eskimos announcer for so many years. And probably the Eskimos biggest fan.

   I even remembered to take a photograph!  I was really surprised when he told me that he'd never had a caricature done before.  I've been lucky enough to talk to him a few times when I paint Corus Radio's windows at Christmas time.  He always stops to say hello and chats.  My Sharpie's were busy tonight.

Edmonton Caricature Artist Laurel Hawkswell with Sports Journalist Bryan Hall

Glastonbury Residence is at 1585 Glastonbury Boulevard (199 Street)

Edmonton Artist

Caricatures at Edmonton Garrison 2012 Volunteeer Event

   The Annual Edmonton Garrison Volunteer Appreciation event was a lot of fun today.  There was myself and 3 other fellow caricaturists busy drawing volunteers and their families. 


   As a caricature artist, each and every person looks different to me and as I’m drawing you I look at every part of your face.  I personally can pass a person a year from now that I drew today and when I see them I think, “I know them from somewhere, where do I know them from?!” If I’ve drawn you, you are not forgettable! 

Edmonton Artist

thank-you Teresa - Rogue Fitness you're so accommodating and awesome

   The great thing about being an artist is that when you want to give someone a little Thank You, all you have to do is pick up your Sharpie.  Well .... it's actually a little bit harder than that because realistically, you need to find the time to do it first!  That's just a small detail.  Anyway, so I wanted to thank Teresa at Rogue Fitness (in Edmonton) for being so accommodating and awesome.  One week my daughter forgot her runners and Teresa found her a pair to borrow.  Then the next week I forgot my runners and she found me some too.  She has squeezed us into a class that was already technically full.  If you're looking for a facility that isn't too big but isn't too small, Rogue Fitness is just right.  You'll feel welcome instantly.  We did.

   But back to the caricature .... Teresa was surprised, she thought I was a teacher for some reason!?  Nope, I draw, paint, cut, imagine, sit deep in thought (trying to come up with a cool new idea for a logo or whatever), type, talk, click, draw, paint and draw some more... That pretty much covers it.  Oh, and thank you for check'n out my blog http://hilaurel.blogspot.ca/

thank-you Teresa - Rogue Fitness 

Rogue Fitness

Edmonton Artist

Friendship and a cup o'tea

This latest post was inspired simply by a little trip to my next-door neighbour's! 

So many of us want so much out of life (material-wise) but we forget that the little things really add value to our lives.

Friendship and a cup of tea. 

Pour me a cup of chai tea and we can bend each other's ears for hours!

Friendship and a cup of tea.