BIOGRAPHY
Award-winning caricaturist and nationally published illustrator Christopher Rommel has
been drawing ever since he was old enough to hold a pencil. It became evident to
Chris early on that he was capable of pursuing a career as an artist. His
enrollment at the largest art and design school in the United States, the Academy of Art University in San
Francisco, California, as well as two state universities, the University of
Wisconsin-Stout and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, educated him
in a variety of art concentrations, including Graphic Design, Character
Animation, Illustration and Multi-Media. He graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts
(BFA) degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1999.
Chris launched his career as a professional caricaturist during the summer of 1998. It
began when political caricaturist Steve Brodner came as a guest speaker to the
University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, where Chris was attending as an
illustration major. After meeting Brodner and viewing his caricatures, Chris became inspired
to study the art of caricature. As fate would have it, he noticed a flyer seeking artists
to draw caricatures at a nearby theme park. Realizing
the position would be an opportunity for him to learn how to draw caricatures, Chris
applied for a summer job as a caricaturist at Valleyfair Theme Park in Shakopee,
Minnesota. While employed there, he received hands-on training under the
instruction of MAD Magazine artist Tom Richmond, owner of the caricature
concession. With determination and lots of practice, Chris developed the skills
involved with drawing live
caricatures.
After graduation, Chris returned for two more summers at Valleyfair, becoming
the Caricature Concession Assistant-Manager his final summer.
During the winters, Chris was contracted by entertainment agencies to perform as a party
caricaturist, drawing corporate events and private parties. Chris later
began drawing caricatures at state and county fairs for Wildman Caricatures. He traveled
with Wildman Caricatures for a while, drawing at the busiest and largest state
fairs in the nation. Chris eventually tapered down the amount of fairs and began operating his
own caricature kiosks inside shopping malls in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Chris also established
his own company, EXAGGERATED ENTERTAINMENT, where he markets himself along with a talented
staff of fellow artists to draw live caricatures for event entertainment. Chris has even traveled
to the other side of the world to draw caricatures. In 2004, he was invited to visit Tokyo, JAPAN by
Central West, Inc. to draw caricatures during Japan's Golden Week
Holiday. During his week-long stay, Chris drew hundreds of caricatures at various shopping
malls and amusement parks located in Tokyo. Since his career began, he has personally
drawn thousands of caricatures at hundreds of events. In fact, Chris estimates drawing at least 50,000
live caricatures!
Chris is a member of the International Society of Caricature Artists (ISCA),
formerly known as the National Caricaturist Network (NCN) prior to 2009.
Among winning the top honored Golden Nosey award for "Caricaturist of the Year", Chris
has also won many other awards
by competing in contests at ISCA-NCN annual conventions. Chris is also a
nationally published illustrator. His illustrations have been
published inside popular magazines, such as PLAYBOY, FHM &
FLEX. You can see these published
illustrations by
viewing his portfolio page.
Currently, Chris Rommel resides in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where he manages his own caricature entertainment company,
EXAGGERATED ENTERTAINMENT. He also freelances as an illustrator for clients word-wide. Although long-term goals are still undetermined, his main career goal
is to keep improving as an artist. Chris enjoys entertaining people with his talent and continues his dedication
towards making quality artwork, one drawing at a time.
