Clete Shields’ childhood was spent drawing and sculpting the people and animals in the world around him. Clete has been commissioned to make large scale monuments (including Willie Nelson); he has made work for movies and TV, and numerous private commissions.

In 2013 The National Portrait Gallery added the “Willie Nelson Statue Maquette” to their permanent collection, and Clete has twice been awarded the Certificate of Excellence from the Portrait Society of America’s International Portrait Competition; and in 2025, Clete was invited to speak at the International Society of Caricature Artists’ Annual convention.

Hitomi Ishihara is a Japanese caricature artist and illustrator. She began her caricature career in 2015, mainly working in Tokyo through live events, teaching, and various character projects.

In 2021, she received the Golden Nosey at ISCAcon. In 2026, she obtained an artist visa and moved to the United States, where she is currently working as an artist while learning English.

Her work is known for its cute, character-driven style, and she especially loves capturing a wide range of expressions and bringing each person’s unique personality to life through caricature.