As we begin our tenth year with this e-zine it's been a fun ride for yours truly. I've pressed the notion that caricatures aren't just for the boardwalk or fairgrounds anymore; they're for weddings, bar/bat mitzvahs, retirement and birthday parties and...perhaps no longer so surprising...the boardroom.

Caricatures, such as those displayed here, can play a pivotal role in the corporate world by doing everything from promoting products to rewarding staff and clients with customized whimsical portraits for their lasting enjoyment.

The kids, pictured at the top, are the children of the owner of the new eponymous Harper & Skyler's Toys & Sweets combination toy and candy shop in the Park Road Shopping Center in Charlotte. This totally hand-drawn piece is a 22" x 30" "poster" that now greets customers on one of the large walls at the store.

Pictured above is an executive with investment management firm GEM, Global Endowment Management. This gentleman, along with his colleagues attaining 10 years with the company, gets a customized caricature, whimsically showing him at play with a favorite diversion -- mountain biking.

The GEM executive metaphorically juggling balls has also reached her tenth anniversary with the company. I am most appreciative for the companies that have hired me on virtually a yearly basis for assignments such as this.

McGuire Woods is an international legal and public affairs firm that rewards its staff with a personalized caricature -- just like GEM -- when they retire. It's pretty clear what it is "Doug" likes to do in his spare time, while showing some love for Stephan Curry and the San Francisco Warriors, his (and Steph's) alma mater, Davidson, and his grandkids.

Bob, another incipient retiree at McGuire Woods likes his wine, especially when attending NAPA Valley wine country, is a UNC alum, a Panthers fan, dotes on his grandkids and is a proud supporter of the international sports ministry organization Sportsfriends.

At one of the "live" corporate events I perform at, Micaela here represented one of the hundreds of pharmacists at the National Community Pharmacists Association (NCPA) held recently at Charlotte's Convention Center. Conventions and conferences are other outlets for corporate use of caricatures to entertain and maintain good relations with customers.

In the meantime, wishing us all good health, peace of mind