Here are some pictures from a party where I felt like I really fit in with the guests. It was so laid back.

I was supposed to do 'Walk Around Caricatures', but I didn't have to move very much. Most of the time, everybody was together in one chatty-group by the pool. So I just sat down, joined them, an drew pictures.

I don't really recommend this way for designing a Party. I only did it this way because it's what my Hostess wanted. It cut back on Production (how quickly I could make them). And it was more difficult for me to 'see' really good Caricatures. I think the hostess almost wanted me to be a guest - who just happened to be a really good artist who felt like drawing. But I prefer to respect reality - that I never met these people before, and I was invited because it was my job.

I usually have so many things that I have to do And so many things that I want to do That I run around from this to that. But a Funeral can really clear your mind. Death doesn't ask if this is a good time, doesn't ask if you can fit it in.

Even though it wasn't someone I knew, I stopped everything for a client who called one day last June. Her 23-year-old son had just died, and she wanted a Caricature to display at the wake. The very next morning.

The next thing you know, I had four people in my studio popping up with more and more ideas of what they wanted included in this Caricature - me thinking they should leave because I really have to start on it right away.

The boy was to be mountain-climbing and skiing and carrying a fishing pole. There was to be a lake with fish and a barbeque at the bottom of the mountain. And don't forget his black cap which he always wore backwards. And his earring.....

Okay. Time to work on this. No question about it. To be picked up in less than 24-hours. Out went my elaborate dinner plans (although I did enjoy the gym - I walked at 2.5 and 3.3 on the treadmill. And I slid my hands for my upper abs. And I used the medium-large ball for my lower abs....).

Out went the other Studio Caricature which had been ordered that very morning (also on a tight schedule, but not quite This imminent). Out went my Party-Preps. And the laundry. And I was hoping that my friend (who was coming back from Spain) wouldn't need a ride from the airport.....

I did it! 10 p.m. - Picture drawn and colored, I contacted my client that it would be ready for Pick Up at 11 a.m. the following day. I started to put the picture into a black mat, and

The lights went out! There was no electricity in my house! I pay my bill. But LIPA was having little service problem.

But I still have to mat the picture, write stuff on the back of it. shrink-wrap it......

And my client would be coming at in a few hours.

I had planned to spend the morning refreshing myself from the effort and cleaning up the house. But I would have to finish preparing the picture instead. Because the lights had gone out. Okay. Prioritize.

We can't decide when to fit Death into our schedule.

Here's the picture that I created. I hoped it would be helpful. Such a terrible thing to happen:

Just relaxing. Made up some pictures: