Today we’d like to introduce you to Audrey Hutchins.
Hi Audrey, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My very first job was at Six Flags Fiesta Texas back in 2003. I was only 17 at the time, and had never heard of caricature art before, but it sounded like a fun first job so I applied. If someone had told me then that I’d still be doing caricatures 22 years later I would have laughed in their face. But sure enough, here I am now, working as a caricature artist in San Antonio, Austin, New Braunfels, Leander, and San Marcos. I’m a regular part of community events at the City of Shavano Park, just down the road from where I went to high school. I’ve drawn caricatures of newborns, the elderly, the dearly departed, fur babies, newlyweds, and dozens of smiling faces. I’ve celebrated birthdays and quinceneras, Halloweens at pumpkin patches and Christmas parties at our state capitol, and so much more. The pandemic connected me with two women in Houston whom I now make educational comics with, and just this year I teamed up with a doctor to turn the books he made for his grandchildren into children’s books for others to enjoy. And at the heart of it all is a humble job that brings a smile to my face and to others as well.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It’s been an absolute roller-coaster. The year I was set to graduate my father-in-law passed away, just as the 2008 recession made job hunting for a college graduate a difficult endeavor. My family experienced homelessness multiple times, and only the kindness of family and friends kept us out of shelters. The pandemic forced a lot of artists to pivot away from art, and I was no exception. In 2023, my husband nearly died from blood clots in his lungs. There were multiple times where I questioned whether or not I should continue pursuing an art career. Ultimately, I could never stay away for too long, no matter what life threw at me.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Though I originally pictured being an animator, caricatures ended up being my profession and what I’m most known for. It’s surprised me how many people not only remember my face and the experience of being drawn by me, but how many have actively sought me out as repeat customers. I think my proudest moments are the ones where children who start off intimated and scared at the idea of a stranger drawing them ends with them smiling and happy at the result. I’ve always focused on making my art be more than just nice to look at; I aim to create a lasting, memorable experience every time someone sits down in front of me to be drawn. For me, drawing someone isn’t just about capturing a likeness or embodying a certain style. It’s about infusing the customer’s personality into the drawing itself.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
One of the biggest motivators for me sticking to my dream of being an artist is being an inspiration to others. It’s so easy to table your desires for the perceived stability a “normal” job provides. But modeling what following your dreams looks like to my children, the children I draw, and the many people out there who look like me matters more than how many dollars are in my bank after I finish a job. I work hard to inspire every young artist whose parent has pointed to me while I draw and encouraged them to work hard so they too can make art for a living, and every young person who feels they’ll never be good enough to be a professional artist. I’m living proof that with enough dedication to doing what you love, you can achieve things you once thought were impossible. Don’t let anyone who doesn’t walk the same path you wish to be on tell you any different.
Pricing:
- $125 per hour for event caricature service with a 2 hour minimum.
- Black and white caricatures: $15 per face
- Color caricatures: $20 per face
- Digital illustration services – quoted based on project needs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.caricaturesbyaudrey.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caricaturesbyaudrey
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caricaturesbyaudrey
