Joe Ferris opens new caricature shop

PLATTSBURGH | Everyone's favorite North Country caricature artist, Joe Ferris, is continuing to pursue his dreams. Ferris has checked yet another item off on his creative To Do list- he has officially opened his flagship store, The Caricature Shop, and is ready to bring Plattsburgh's residents and visitors an unprecedented experience. "Since the internet came along, some people would say owning a shop, especially an art shop, is kind of obsolete, but there is something about a little shop that harkens back to a simpler time," Ferris reflected. "I have never had my own art shop and so it is going to be interesting to see how it goes; I have never actually encountered a caricature shop in my life, so for me to open one it is an adventure." Ferris's shop is located at 94 Margaret St. and is the next natural step in his artistic progression. Not even two years ago, Ferris took a necessary leap of faith if he were to truly embrace the life of a successful artist- he embarked on the trip of a lifetime and on a solo cross-country mission to peddle his art. He left his job, and the reliable stream of income that went with it, and hit up 25 states, stopping at restaurants and bars and social gatherings to draw caricatures. Ferris's tenacity paid off. The trip was a success, and his name spread. Eventually, his talent caught the attention of the NFL, and he was drafted into not one but two football-related events to share his work and passion. After his arrival home, the Willsboro native continued to do what he does best, delighting customers with his caricature portraits at birthday parties, weddings, social gatherings, and other events. Rendered in ink and watercolor, Ferris's work captures the spirit of his subjects and offers significant keepsakes that often capture special moments in time. Ferris has relocated to the City of Plattsburgh, broadening his reach and artistic opportunity. The building The Caricature Shop currently resides in caught his eye a few years back, but was unavailable. Fast forward to 2024, and circumstances turned in Ferris's favor. The former print shop and its solid brick walls are giving Ferris the perfect homebase and foundation in more ways than one. "It is going to continue to be a work in progress; I am a believer in trying things and evolving as you go," Ferris remarked. "It is going to continue to get better and my process will become more refined as I go." The vibe inside The Caricature Shop will be friendly and eclectic. Ferris's work will be displayed, as well as caricatures from other artists he himself enjoys looking at. The goal is to lion the walls and the windows with art patrons are able to get within the shop, as well as caricature art Ferris has collected over time from friends. There will be no mistaking that The Caricature Shop will be a little art mecca. The process for patrons is simple- potential customers reach out to @JoeFerrisArt on Instagram or Facebook, or email joeferrisart@gmail.com to book an appointment. "You come in and tell me are you looking to get a caricature done from a picture on your phone, or is this going to be a live caricature that I am doing of you or of you and someone," explained Ferros. "People can tell me if they want it to be in color or black and white, and if they want me to matt and frame it right on the spot as well since I have those capabilities." Within 15-20 minutes, customers receive a completed product and a custom art piece to have forever and display proudly. Another benefit The Caricature Shop offers to Ferris personally is that he has relocated his art studio there as well. It is the dream of most every artist to have a space dedicated solely to their craft, with natural light and inspiration available through the windows. But the big question is, in spite of how far Ferris has come since that first cross-country trip until now, when will the 35 year-old feel he has "made it?' "I think a tendency for a lot of people is to never feel like you have made it and to just continue to be chasing the unreachable object," he observed. "I think my personality is one that I will never feel like I have made it, and that's ok. To me, the journey is about chasing after dreams and chasing after ambitions and goals, but also knowing that it's probably not even healthy where you feel like you completely made it and you can stop and sit back at your chair. I think instead, part of the joy of life is being hungry to keep achieving more." In addition to his caricature work, Ferris will also continue to expand his portfolio by taking on illustration commission work. "If someone has a more refined picture they want done, just reach out online," he encouraged. For Ferris, the realization that living life on his own terms and following his own intuition as he craved out a place and a name for himself in the art world is perhaps the icing on the cake. "I have done it my own way," he said. "I have definitely had naysayers and people that have told me not to do it that way. I think there is this confidence that comes from you deciding you are going to do something and then doing what you said you are going to do, it builds self esteem and self belief." And the artist is also a proponent of others finding the talent that lights them up inside and forging their own paths, too. "I think anybody can accomplish creative entrepreneurial feats with some tenacity and pluck- you can open your own shop, you can be an artist out in the community making income," he noted. "And it doesn't have to be art at all, I personally believe in people's abilities to buck the system and do things they find inspiring and fit their personalities better than some standard jobs in society." Ferris cultivates active social media accounts where he documents his process of works-in-progress, as well as offering candid, and often with a self-effacing sense of humor, looks into what the life of a career artist entails. Follow him and his self-made brand on YouTube at JoeFerrisArt, and add his Instagram and Facebook pages to your feeds. He is currently booking events and parties heading into 2025, send him an email at joeferrisart@gmail.com to secure your spot and event highlight.

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Joe Ferris opens new caricature shop

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