"An unmerited gift for which I am grateful." This is how caricature artist Gene Crippen describes his ability to capture a striking likeness in a quick and complimentary style. With artistic and musical talents running in the family, it was not surprising that Gene was drawing before walking and talking! Gene was born in Detroit and moved with family to Orlando in time for grade school and high school. After high school art classes, Gene went on to attend the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale where he received a degree in advertising design. While attending classes at AIFL, an artist named John Johns visited and demonstrated caricature art. Although Gene had previously no interest in cartoon work, he seemed to naturally take to this fun style of portraiture. In no time, Gene was being booked by professionals and individuals alike to do caricatures at all sorts of events from promotions and parties to private yachts. From company picnics to cruise ships. From Key West, Florida to Vancouver, Canada. In the late 80s, Gene moved to Atlanta and performed caricature art at Six Flags Over Georgia and at Underground Atlanta where airbrushed coloring and long hours further honed his skills. Since moving back to Florida in the early 90s, Gene has worked with advertising agencies, freelance commercial art clients and co-owned a graphic design/marketing firm in Eustis, Florida until caricatures grew so popular that they became his primary focus. With the past decade of growth in and around Lake County and throughout Orlando Florida, the time and place is right for Gene's brand of caricature entertainment. Look for Gene at festivals and events all over Florida plus at his regular gigs at The Villages Spanish Springs Town Square on Mondays and Wednesdays and Lake Sumter Landing Market Square on Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and at the Eustis Main Street Party on the first Friday evening of each month.