Irwin Artworks

Forget about flowers and candy(well maybe some candy)...bring me a skull and I'll be yours forever!💀😉😅

I woke up early this morning with the idea of sketching out one of my fav skulls in my vast collection, so I went with it. I don't often do still life work but will occasionally revisit it for the sake of keeping my skills sharp. I have loved skeletons since I was a kid and understood that the very structure is the basis for form.
This skull is so beautiful!

The foundation of this painting is set. On to the details!✨️

I felt compelled to share this close up of the storm drain art project that I completed while in Wisconsin. I grew to like the linseed oil medium after figuring out the nature of it. I couldn't achieve the super sharp lines I am used to due to the rough surface, but I love that it has a soft and almost "sugary" look. I would entertain using this medium again, if only for the richness of the color alone!
This was the first time that I wasn't in charge of the logistics involved when it came to prep, materials and wrap up...so it made me let go of having the control I usually covet and to trust the raw creative process. Very cathartic for me as I can go overboard in the perfectionism arena! Ha!

Always a little bittersweet to finish up a job...A part of me is tempted to throw paint on it so I have to start over, thus staying up north longer! Ha!
Ps. I also had a great time teasing tourists or anyone who stopped to talk, all out of love of course.

Now that I am understanding the nature of this medium, I can really start cooking! It requires me to work in full sun for a bit just so the base coat has time to dry. Oils are fickle and I'm not always patient but things are moving along.

Off to the races on this super experimental project...this scares me and totally excites me at the same time.😅 I plan on working mornings (weather permitting). Late start today due to the need for some beauty sleep.😉✨️

✨🌳 Sparkles +Nature= New Headshot 🌳✨️

❤️A new headshot for a new chapter.❤️
I'll have some news to share soon, but first a little R and R!

Thank you for your photography skills, enthusiasm and support for this new endeavor!

Here's a brief video documenting the process of painting my latest mural in Underwood. Hope you enjoy!❤️

❤️🦅Underwood Postcard Mural Project.🦅❤️ Freehand Mural on Corrugated Metal. 📸Photos and Time-lapse🕗 This is a short documentation of my latest Mural project. I designed and painted this mural after being commissioned by the "Friends of Underwood " group in...

......And that's a wrap......
I will post some close ups of each letter in a bit, but first I will be taking a few days to decompress in quiet and natural spaces! I will(eventually)create a video for YouTube that combines the time-lapse footage I captured in the process. After that I will be working on one more project before taking a nice(much needed) trip North later this month. 🥰

*This 11×22 ft mural is located on Railroad Ave, the main drag going through Underwood Iowa. You really can't miss it...the color explodes off the building. I love how it changes in the different lighting of the day. Late afternoon seems to make it glow and I am suggesting a lighting element for nighttime.

The look of someone sealing a mural while feeling a bit delirious. 😅
More pics on the way after taking a moment to catch my breath.💖

Almost there! A couple(ish) days left for final FINAL details but all I can think about is the celebratory burger that awaits at the finish line. 🍔🥹🤤

I'll admit it, I didn't really want to get out of bed this morning...it has been a bit of a slog finishing the UW mural due to a weird and wooly spring/summer here in Iowa. BUT I have learned a raw truth that you are the only one responsible for your attitude, and you're the only one that can change it. It is pretty much the only thing you can control in this wild existence as a human.
So on my way out to Underwood I just thougt of all the amazing things in my life and connected with a deep sense of gratitude.for how I have built my company to a point where oppurtunites flood in effortlessly and I feel the pure joy of doing what I love. I can watch a divine sunrise then listen to music all day while I work while almost in a dream state.. In that shift in attitude, I feel alive as well as magnetic.
First, I had a furry visitor who is actually in the mural. Such a cute old dog, a little stiff and gray but still so frisky! Such a sweet old girl.
Then a guy who is running across Iowa for a non-profit that focuses on using movement to work through grief. He just happened to be running through Underwood and passed by the mural. He had already completed a run across South Dakota and Nebraska! He was truly inspiring.
Then another guy stopped and gave me a 20 dollar bill and said I should treat myself to an ice-cream(which will not be a problem for me🤤).
And all day...so many random heartfelt messages about the intentional elements of the mural. It is amazing what happens when you shift your perspective, if even just for a moment. And maybe all of this good stuff would have happened regardless of my attitude, but there would have been a good chance that I would have missed it. 💖

I'm always thrilled to try new things when it comes to art! So when I connected with Goodies Galore by K, I was so excited to delve into the edible art world...but then I learned of her passion to use her incredible sweets to fundraise for worthy causes and various non-profits and was truly inspired. And if you know me, you know that I am a big fan using art for good.

The world needs more businesses like hers and I am honored to be teaming up.
This was our test run, and I am floored by the quality and love put in each goodie.💖🥹🤤

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Y'all -
You gotta get down here and check out the amazing EDIBLE artwork by local artist Cait Irwin!

This is the first featured artist of the summer and I am absolutely floored by her talent!

Plus, it's pretty tasty. 🤤

I was super excited to start filling in the details inside of the letters... I can safely say that I am over the halfway point of this project! I'm completely used to working around the ridges and bolts.

Started out with one of my favs...Whitetail deer with a cardinal painted in memory of someone very special. Made excellent progress and will be focusing on letter for the next few days.

Moving right along...
🎨I took advantage of a calm day to finish the top. I have almost lost palettes full of paint with the crazy wind lately!

🎨Getting the hardest parts out of the way...like painting cursive style lettering on corrugated metal.

🎨 I start early when it is cooler out. As soon as I lose my shade, I'm out!

🎨 I didn't think you'd be able to see the mural at a distance, but the slight slant of the building makes it so visible despite the corrugated metal surface.

I'm so honored to be a part of this inspiring storm drain art project in Ashland Wisconsin! I was feeling the otter vibe for this one...I will be completing it later this summer.

This project checks all the boxes...
🦦 Advocacy art for water pollution awareness/prevention on Lake Superior
🦦 Reconnecting with a special place in my heart and seeing so many wonderful people.
🦦Prime storm drain "real estate" on the corner of Chapple Ave and Main St.
🦦Makes my vacation a business trip!

Just over here in Iowa painting this mural in-between tornados and floods.😳
It has been a wild spring so far!
Despite that I've been able to keep moving along on this mural. I have been adapting ways to work with the ridges and it seems to be working out.

Really starting to get things situated for this mural, and also getting used to working on corrugated metal! I have a long way to go and this will evolve so much every work session.

Being a HUGE I am so excited about this new experience! I was contacted by a set designer for the use of my Sasquatch and Alien artwork for a new film by Michael Showalter (Wet Hot American Summer, etc). It will be streaming on Prime during the Holidays(updates later). Not sure how it will be used, or if you'll even really be able to see it, but it is exciting nonetheless!

A good friend JUST sent me this pic that they took at the ribbon cutting event. I was thrilled because I realized that I had neglected to get a picture with the mini mural next to the actual mural. It was really fun to transfer the canvas painting imagery onto a large wall!💖💖💖

It is always an honor to get on the front page! I love the sky in this picture, we were dodging rain drops near the end of the ceremony. 💦✂️🌦

This is the first time I've documented the entire process of painting a mural through a series of time-lapse videos! Some of you might have already seen some of these clips, but it is fun to see them all together. This video is very relaxing as well, great to zone out to!😉
Click the link to watch:

CHI Mercy Therapy Garden Mural (Time-lapse video from start to finish) VERY relaxing! 💓 This collection of time-lapse videos documents the entire process of painting the mural for the new Therapy Garden in the Behavioral Health Unit at CHI Mercy...

What a wonderful ribbon cutting event for the new Therapy Garden at Mercy Hospital! I delivered a few remarks and played with the biggest pair of scissors I have ever seen.😅
Now it feels like this project is officially finished.

Painting whenever the blue skies come back! Finishing this mural has had some weather hurdles for sure but I'm oh so close.

I took a screenshot of this moment in a time lapse video because it was EXACTLY when I realized that I'm on the home stretch with this project. I savor this moment with every mural!
I will be playing chicken with some possible storms for the next few days...but I am ready to bring this baby on home!

What an absolutely gorgeous day at the work site! 🥰

Not sure why I chose to work on the very top of the mural with wind gusts up to 55 mph...still made good progress though!😬

What an absolutely beautiful day to be painting! Moving right along with my eye on the May 7th deadline.

Even though I was sweatin in my bibs with an almost 90 degree outdoor temp today, it felt so good to start back on this mural!

Back at it! Things look quite a bit different in the garden since last fall. I will be hauling on this mural as the ribbon cutting is May 7th.