What kinda convention IS this?? Well, it’s kinda weird …
Artists, artists from all over the world, gathered in one hotel for days on end — doing what?
What else? Drawing! Worse yet, drawing each other.
Yeah. This was the annual convention of caricature artists in November, held in Raleigh, North Carolina. Close enough to drive, so Diane and I loaded up the van and toodled southeast from Dayton to arrive the following evening at the (last) convention of the National Caricaturists Network.

First one we have been to in about four or five years (memory is the first to go, y’know). Lots of old friends and really gifted artists to chat with. And some big talent, too like Fred Harper, who does fabulous caricature paintings most every issue for the cover of The Week.
Lots of talent on all sides, actually. But that is the norm at these events.

And, being artists we are a goofy looking bunch, so there are interesting, fun faces to draw everywhere you look. All sweet people, too. Jokes, gossip, business shop talk. An NCN con is like nothing else. FUN!

It’s the last one, because it is changing its name and will no longer be the NCN.

All too soon we had to leave, early, so I could get back here for a paying gig; this is our income so you gotta keep up with the jobs, of course. Lots of little paychecks, but they add up after a while.

And then —
We had two GPS systems and both of them working when we came to a crucial junction in West Virginia. The small GPS said turn, the Chrysler original equipment said go straight. We trusted the wrong one and went straight.