How Hugh Hefner Inspired My Artwork
- Lauren Cahill
- Oct 1, 2017
- 3 min read
It may or may not be news to some of my readers, but I became involved with artwork completely by accident. I happen to be a complete sap. I don't think there's a better way to put it. Puppies, kids, babies, and holidays I absolutely go crazy for. In particular, the Christmas season tends to be a particular soft spot for me where I am in high spirits and want to have traditional Christmas'. I believe gifts should be made by hand and if they can't, then a lot of thought should go into the gift. People overspend, and go crazy with shopping or do not want to put the time and effort into giving a gift so they blow it off and give gift cards. If I am giving something to my family, I want it to be a gift that came right from the heart.
Well, one day, I was truly stumped and it was getting really close to Christmas. I am laying in my bed, brainstorming, and I turn on the TV and begin flipping through channels. All of a sudden, I catch this:
The video immediately caught my attention!
I thought,"Oh how cute! Little bodies and big heads! Oh cool they are in different scenarios that represent each person! OH wow! It's just like little animated bobbleheads! WOW now there is an idea"!
And so I immediately ran downstairs, grabbed some of my Crayola color pencils and paper, ran back up to my room and started sketching out my parent's portrait.
My father had many favorites from what I remembered growing up: James Bond, Westerns, Star Wars so I decided to do my parents as James bond and Marilyn Monroe. I was so excited and I thought it looked absolutely amazing! Christmas morning was full of anticipation and hope they would love their bobblehead figures!
My dad opened the gift and started laughing right away.. and here I am thinking to myself, 'Is this a good laugh or a bad laugh"?
"This is Wonder-ful!!!!! (ha ha ha ha ha) Oh I love it! You did a caricature of us as James Bond and Marilyn Monroe! I'm going to hang it in my office at work"!
My Brain is Rushing! I did a Caricature! That is it! Yes!
After my father took it to work and hung it on the wall, his coworkers started giving me lots of positive feedback and I even landed my first paid caricature commission the following month.
I have since come a very long way in creating my caricature works of art!
They fit every personality type, can be humorous, and can without a doubt, certainly bring a smile to everyone's faces making them a perfect gift for every occasion.
Now, when someone says, "How did you get started with your artwork"? I simply say, "Hugh Hefner inspired me". I never thought I would be saying that, that is for sure and look how far I have been able to come over the past couple of years, from caricatures to portraits, automobiles to fan art, and now my original nature and wildlife artistry.
No matter where I go with my art, I am always brought back to this moment and when I found out about Hugh's passing this past week, I was disheartened. Although it's difficult today to see beyond the sorrow, may looking back in memory help comfort you tomorrow. I hope he rests in peace.
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