Ottawa Politicians Show Off Their Butts

Sketch artist Krandel Lee Newton captured an unusual side of Councillor Diane Deans and MPP Jim Watson.
Tony Lofaro for The Ottawa Citizen, August 15, 2006

American sketch artist Krandel Lee Newton says he's often the butt of jokes.

But the former mechanical engineer turned "butt sketch artist" is having the last laugh as he's parlayed a one-time hobby into a lucrative full-time career, sketching the behinds of celebrities, politicians and even average folks. Business has been so good that he was in Ottawa yesterday – on his birthday – sketching the backsides of municipal politicians and Ontario mayors in town for the annual Association of Municipalities of Ontario convention.

In just under three minutes, Mr. Newton made a flattering charcoal sketch of Ontario Health Promotion Minister Jim Watson and Ottawa Councillor Diane Deans, both of whom "volunteered" to pose for the artist after some gentle prodding by a reporter.

It was all in good fun as the politicians and longtime friends chuckled over the end product.

"Basically, for politicians they have pretty good butts, but I don't know if they spend a lot of time covering them," joked Mr. Newton, 48, after he finished the sketch, as curious onlookers gathered around his tiny display stand, which stood between other trade exhibitors inside the Congress Centre.

"Their butts don't shine any more than anyone else's," said Mr. Newton, who was hired by Master Meter, a St. Bruno, Que., water-meter company, to entertain delegates by drawing free sketches for them.

"A lot of time politicians run from this kind of thing, but the fact they were willing to put their butts on the line is cool," wisecracked Mr. Newton, a Dallas,Texas, resident, who has drawn about 250,000 butt sketches at trade shows, conventions and special birthday parties since starting his company 19 years ago.

Ms. Deans agreed the sketch was a hoot. "I think it's great, but I would have dressed a little differently if I knew I was going to have a sketch done," laughed Ms. Deans, who was dressed in a simple blouse and skirt.

"I think we're going to be the butt of a lot of jokes," she added.

Mr. Watson, looking svelte after losing 14 pounds since being named health promotion minister, was also delighted with the butt sketch.

"It's obviously a unique concept because you run into artists all the time who want to take a frontal sketch, not behind," said Mr. Watson, adding he was a little nervous when he was first asked to pose.

"I had visions of me taking my pants down and doing it in the nude, but I want to win the next election I don't want to scare my voters," he said.