Brooklyn artist makes a killing with ‘Really Bad Portraits’

Large Apple road Artist Ricky Brown says he could make as a lot as $1,000 on some days for his work.
J.C. Rice

They’re the worst portraits cash should buy — he ensures it.

Large Apple road Artist Ricky Brown spends as little time as potential creating “horrible” portraits with a Sharpie that even he admits are “naked minimal doodles.”

And his work ethic — or lack thereof — is paying off.

“On an excellent day, I can stroll away with like $1,000, which is loopy contemplating they’re actually dangerous. I’ve most likely drawn 10,000 at this level,” Brown, 24, instructed The Put up. “I simply accumulate some huge cash in the course of the summer time after which simply coast via the winter.”

His “Actually Unhealthy Portraits” are performed on printer paper, take him simply 60 seconds to attract and promote for $5 a chunk.

Along with the only portraits, the Mattress-Stuy denizen gives a $100 lifetime membership.

“It’s the perfect bang on your buck — however just one individual has ever purchased it, after which I by no means noticed him once more,” Brown stated. “I hoped he would always observe me round day and evening, hounding me for portraits, however I suppose he simply needed to assist a neighborhood artist.”

Maddy G. exhibits off her “actually dangerous portrait” in Washington Sq. Park.

J.C .Rice

In contrast to caricature artists, who goal to ship hyperbolic however considerably crafted cartoons that may take so long as listening to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Free Chook,” Brown admits his work is extra akin to a grade faculty artwork class with squiggly strains and malformed options.

“They’re like a baby’s drawing,” he stated. “Tremendous fast and crummy — that’s the gold normal for me.”

When Brown arrange store at Washington Sq. Park Wednesday, his first buyer was Lee Klein, a poet, essayist and curator. Lee stated Brown’s interpretation made him look a lot youthful and didn’t embody his “loopy amblyopic (lazy) eye.” 

Brown gives his drawings for $5.

J.C. Rice

“I really feel like this has kinda acquired the zany spirit of me,” Lee, 56, stated of the depiction. “His truncation is fairly good. By doing the worst portraits, being self-effacing, ultimately some gallery will come right here and rebrand him.”

Brown attracts Put up reporter Griffin Kelly in Washington Sq. Park.

J.C. Rice

Lee Klein was happy with the portrait he purchased from Brown.

J.C. Rice

As The Put up left the park that day, Brown continued to hawk his artwork to vacationers and NYU graduates in black caps and purple robes.

“They’re horrible, I promise,” he shouted.