Today we’d like to introduce you to Danny D’Addario.
Hi Danny, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’ve been drawing since I was knee-high. I was always doodling. I excelled in art through high school and went on to community college for commercial art. While in college, an instructor saw one of my caricature drawings and asked if I would be interested in drawing live caricatures at a high school senior all-night party. Nervous as I was (never drawing live before), I accepted the challenge and was hooked. That was in 1977. I then went on to a career as an illustrator working for automotive companies for the next 30 years. All the while drawing caricatures live as entertainment and specialty studio gifts. In 1996 I was asked by a local Detroit Business Magazine if I wanted to freelance editorial cartoons for their magazine, which I graciously accepted. I submitted an editorial cartoon for the magazine biweekly for the next 12 years. In 2009 the company that I was with for 23 years as an illustrator went into bankruptcy, and lost my job. From 2009 to present day, I maintain my freelance caricature and cartooning business. I have illustrated several children’s books for authors and continue my live caricature drawings as entertainment for live events. I also draw cartoons and caricatures for businesses that would like something different for advertising or editorials. I continue my studio work as caricature gifts and various cartooning projects.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No. It has not been a smooth road and continues to be difficult. There is a lot of competition out there at a click of a mouse, and finding work is tough. When your passion is interwoven through your DNA, you just keep going!!! (Having a supportive working wife is a must!)
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
My passion is to make people smile! With the world we live in, everyone is so busy and STRESSED! If one of my caricatures or humorous illustrations can accomplish that, then I have succeeded with the creation of that piece of work. I specialize in drawing caricatures. When I’m drawing live caricatures at events and seeing the reaction from the individual after I’m finished drawing them blesses me! My studio work is usually commissioned by an individual or company. The final product is then given at a later date as a gift. I usually don’t know how the person I drew responded after receiving the caricature drawing. A lot of times, I will ask the person who hired me to send me a text if the person liked the drawing. I’m proud of all my work, but one piece does stick out above the rest. This one really tugged at the heart and was so coincidental. Many many years ago, my father was attending a viewing at a funeral home of an individual he worked with years earlier. He noticed a caricature illustration on an easel near the casket of the deceased. When he looked at it, he noticed my signature at the bottom. He then approached his colleagues’ widow and told her that my son drew that caricature. She proceeded to tell my father that her husband just cherished that caricature so much that he wanted it displayed at his funeral when he died. My dad asked her… didn’t you recognized the signature at the bottom? She said they never paid attention to the signature. My dad called me the next day. That really blessed my heart!
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
My family and friends. God has blessed me with a wonderful wife, twin sons, family, and friends. Then HE gave me a talent that I can Bless others with! Can’t ask for anything more.
Contact Info:
- Website: dandcartooning.com
- Instagram: dandaddarioart
- Linkedin: Dan D’Addario
Image Credits
Dan D’Addario
