Kellum Dietz has always believed that art is about people first. Long before he was drawing caricatures at amusement parks or entertaining crowds at special events, he was a child in Baltimore, Maryland, filling pages with sketches and cartoons simply because he loved to draw.
That passion led him to the Joe Kubert School of Art in New Jersey, where he studied commercial art. His favorite class was storyboarding for film and animation, where he learned how every drawing should tell a story. Those lessons still shape his work today.
After finishing school, Kellum built a career that blended creativity with customer service. He became a caricature artist at Hershey Park and other major amusement parks, creating personalized artwork while meeting people from every background imaginable. Along the way, he also worked as a waiter, bartender, gym manager, DJ, videographer, and character performer for children’s events. Every role strengthened his ability to connect with others.
Giving back has always remained important. Kellum has supported food drives, cancer research, the Red Cross, and Make-A-Wish events, where he uses creativity to bring joy to children and families. He also advocates for peace and believes small acts of kindness can make a lasting difference.
Outside of work, Kellum enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors. He even appeared as a background extra in the 2025 Superman film, another memorable chapter in his creative journey.
His story shows that success is not built from one talent alone. It comes from staying curious, treating people well, embracing new experiences, and finding ways to make others smile every day.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
Every day starts with getting outside if I can. Sunshine helps me wake up and clear my mind. Before work, I usually spend a little time sketching, even if it’s only ten or fifteen minutes. Drawing every day keeps my hands loose and my creativity active.
If I’m working at Hershey Park or another event, my focus shifts to the people I meet. Every guest is different, so I try to make each interaction fun and personal. After work, I often review sketches or think about what I learned from the people I met that day.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Most ideas begin with observation. I’ll notice an interesting expression, a funny conversation, or someone’s unique personality. I make quick sketches and let those ideas grow naturally. I don’t wait for the perfect idea. I start drawing and improve it as I go.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I’m excited to see more people appreciating handmade art again. In a fast-moving world, people seem to value something created by a real person, right in front of them. That personal experience makes art feel special.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Drawing every day. Even on busy days, I try to put pencil to paper. Small daily practice adds up over time.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s. Keep learning, talk to more people, and don’t be afraid to try jobs that seem unrelated to your goals. Many of the skills I use today came from working in restaurants, weddings, and customer service.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
I think talking to strangers is becoming an underrated skill. Some people avoid it whenever possible. I believe almost every conversation teaches you something if you’re willing to listen.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Spend more time with people face to face. Put your phone away for a while. Real conversations create memories that screens can’t replace.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
I step outside. A short walk, fresh air, and sunshine usually help me reset. Then I come back and focus on one small task instead of trying to solve everything at once.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I learned early that people remember how you make them feel more than what you sell them. Whether I’m drawing a caricature, bartending, or entertaining at an event, I focus on creating a positive experience. Happy customers tell their friends, and those relationships often create new opportunities.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
Early in my career, I spent too much time trying to make every drawing perfect. That slowed me down and took away some of the fun. Working in live entertainment taught me that connecting with people matters just as much as technical perfection. Once I accepted that, both my confidence and my work improved.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Offer live caricature stations at community charity events where artists donate part of the proceeds to local causes. It gives families a memorable keepsake while supporting organizations that help the community.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Google Calendar keeps my schedule organized. Since I work different events and locations, it helps me stay on top of appointments and avoid conflicts.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
One book I always appreciate is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield. It reminds me that creativity is built through consistent effort, not waiting for inspiration.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
Seeing Superman was especially meaningful because I worked as a background extra during production. Watching the finished film gave me a new appreciation for how much work every person contributes behind the scenes.
Key learnings
- Strong people skills can become just as valuable as technical talent over the course of a career.
- Small daily habits, like practicing a craft consistently, lead to steady long-term improvement.
- Face-to-face conversations remain one of the best ways to build relationships and create lasting opportunities.
- Creative work becomes more meaningful when it focuses on making others feel seen, valued, and included.
- Giving back through community service and small acts of kindness can create lasting impact far beyond a single event.