I have a background in Animation, and achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2009 from Sheridan College’s BAA Animation program. I worked primarily as a 2D Layout Artist, Location Designer, and Storyboard revisionist in Toronto’s Animation Industry from 2010-2023. I worked on such TV series as Ever After High, Welcome To The Wayne, Numb Chucks, Camp Lake Bottom, Cyberchase, Creative Galaxy, and most recently, the Emmy Award winning series, Blues Clues & You. 

Caricatures have always been a keen interest of mine, ever since I started in the Animation program. I found the art form fascinating, how people can manipulate someone’s features in any way possible, and still maintain a likeness. My style would eventually be influenced primarily by two of my favourite Character Design Artists and Caricaturists: Peter Emslie, a retired Disney Parks merchandise artist, illustrator, and one of my Character Design teachers at Sheridan, and Stephen Silver, who designed characters for such shows as Kim Possible, Danny Phantom, and The Clerk’s cartoon series. You would often see me at a Starbucks or a Boba shop with my sketchbook and pens, drawing everyone in line, or on the Bus or Train trying to discreetly draw the tired commuters on my way home from work.

I started taking Caricature commissions online during the pandemic and have since amassed over 150 new and returning customers. I went into the Events Caricature industry in January of 2024. I have gained valuable experience since, as well as honed my drawing skills, and I continue to seek improvement in all aspects of the job. As far as I’m concerned, I am nowhere near the level I’m trying to attain.

I am driven to grow and make “Charactures By AJ” a name in the Events Caricature industry in Ontario and beyond.