Meet Jeffrey Alltmont

"I'm a nice Jewish boy from New Orleans which means I make an amazing Matzo Ball Etouffee (that’s not actually a thing).”

Having a sense of humor and using art as a therapeutic tool, Jeffrey came from a family where being funny came pretty easy. His caricatures come from what he says is a rather perverse sense of humor. And it takes a lot to make him blush.

What drives your art?

“I like to make people laugh. I constantly think and I rethink pieces; I'm neurotic about it. Each piece is unique and I approach it like it's brand new.”

Why caricatures?

“I think anytime you make anything into a caricature, it changes the dynamic of who they are. The idea is to make something that is very personal and pulls at the heartstrings while making people laugh. When I'm making art I try to pull what I think is funny. I don't think people should take themselves so seriously.”

Who's your perfect subject?

“The easier people are those with distinctive characteristics, those with distinguished marks on themselves. They're just more forgiving. I think sometimes that's how I see myself.”

Why miniatures?

“I’ve always worked on small scale. It started that way because I was a kid when I started sculpting so I had a small workspace. I guess it became a comfort thing. Then it just continued out of the challenge to make small details come to life.”

How do you come up with the stories in your work?

“Knowing the personality of a person along with their photos and learning about them - being a journalist - that helps me do the work. If I get to meet the person after the work is finished, it's very surreal.”

Is there anything you really want people to know about you?

“I put ketchup on everything.”

Who are your heroes?

“My parents, because they are selfless.”