Personalized Art: Custom Remarques

As you may already know, along with the Limited Edition car art prints that automotive fine artist Michael Irvine offers of his original watercolor paintings, he also releases 20 Artist Proofs with Custom Remarque. I've touched on these in previous posts (search Artist Proof on this blog) and there is a page on our website dedicated to these unique, personalized works: http://michaelirvine.com/automotivefineart/artistproofs.htm.

What makes them so unique, is that he paints (or draws) the Remarque on the Proof, as it is ordered. Each Remarque is done to order, per the client's wishes. It's a very inexpensive way to have a one-of-a-kind, done just for you! They are an excellent way to commemorate a special occasion, get your car "in a painting", honor a colleague, retiree, family member or friend. Or, to give yourself a little something!

Here are a couple of Michael's more recent ones. In the photos, rather than cropping right to the Remarque imags, I've left a bit of the painting image showing.

Remarque on "Shakin' Up The Street", featuring
2003-2004 Mach 1 Mustangs.

Remarque on "Bird Sanctuary", featuring the
Pontiac Trans Am, Firebird and Formula.

If you have any questions, please contact me at autoart@michaelirvine.com. As the holidays approach, the time is getting short for ordering an Artist Proof with Custom Remarque as a Christmas gift. However, there still is time. Place your order by December 12th, and you can have your Artist Proof under the tree!! — Linda

Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals 2011

The Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals in Chicago was a great event to round out our show year. Held indoors at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, it was a round up of some of the sweetest cars from across North America.

Originally created as a Corvette only, then Corvette and Chevy show, three years ago it evolved into the show it is today. It was really cool to see that many impressive cars all under one roof. With this year's show being the success it was, I can only imagine how it will grow in years to come. 

Here is just a taste of some of the cars we got to see up close and personal. I'll post more photos once I download them from our digital camera.

Look familiar? There's one just like it in "Bird Sanctuary".
There were actually 2 of these on the show floor!!

What view — that's our display in the back ground. We got
to look at a sea of Corvettes for the weekend!

Super rare barn find. Boss designer, Larry Shinoda's car.

Next year's Muscle Car & Corvette Nationals is already in the planning. Mark your calender (weekend before Thanksgiving) ... it's worth the trip. — Linda

SEMA 2011

We didn't make it to SEMA this year, but we have been there 3 times in the last 5 years. I found this article on the SpeedTV blog site ... as in the past, looks like there were pretty cool cars and accessories to check out! Including Richard Petty's Signature Series 2012 Mustang.

Too bad we couldn't attend this year, but at least Michael's work was on display there. Once again, Dots Gallery was on-site and open for business, offering a number of Michael's limited edition car prints. If you were lucky enough to go to SEMA this year, post some pics ... we'd love to see them! Thanks. — Linda

AUTOMOTIVE - PHOTOS: More SEMA Show Galleries

Electronic Pickpocketing: Drawbacks to a cashless society

At events like car shows and auctions, where we sell Michael's car art, we often get raised eyebrows over our use of the old, manual, credit card machine. Having had 3 of our own credit cards compromised during an 18month period, we have been, perhaps, overly protective. And we want to make extra sure that our clients' credit card information remains safe with us, thus, we've stayed away from the wireless terminals.

Now, it seems there are even more opportunities for theives to steal our credit information. Check out this little video about the latest kinds of "pickpockets." I, for one, am changing our credit cards to the "old school" variety. — Linda

Offensive technology Electronic Pickpocketing: Drawbacks to a cashless society

Steve Jobs - Words of Wisdom

“Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren’t used to an environment where excellence is expected.”
–  Steve Jobs

It seems that not only was Steve Jobs a visionary when it came to technology, but also in his view on life. I came across a website (Macstories), where they posted 60 quotes that were classic "Steve." I read through them, and have to agree with many of the commentators ... the quotes were funny, ironic, straightforward and ya, inspirational.

“Innovation distinguishes between
a leader and a follower.”
–  Steve Jobs, in via

Now, although I do use a Macintosh computer daily, I've never been a huge Apple follower. I chose to use Macs primarily due to my choice of career. As a graphic designer/creative consultant, I needed the equipment and software that met the "industry standards." And Macs were, and still are, 'it' as far as the graphics community goes.

I actually have both a PC and two Macs (an iMac and a MacBook), and have had several of both over my 25 year career as a designer. And although I'm not as heavily into design as I used to be, focusing instead on marketing and promoting Michael's work, I do still keep a couple of fingers in the pot. And, that's why I've stuck with the Macs. From my experience, they are pretty much problem free. I've never had a virus, or a major system failure. I have to tell you, that's worth it right there! About 5 years back we had a PC backup drive die in the morning, by that afternoon, the main drive had gone as well .... $2500 and 4 weeks later ... you get the picture (not pretty). Needless to say, I'm pretty loyal to the Mac when it comes to work.

That's why, even though I'm not an Apple junkie or even follower, really (I don't have an iPod, iPad, iPhone, etc), I was drawn to read up a bit on Steve Jobs. Who, agreeably, was an incredible visionary and creative genius.

Here are my two favorite quotes. The first one, because as the wife of an artist with Michael's drive and determination — never allowing me, or anyone else, to rush him through any of his paintings — it sums up Michael's commitment to his craft and style in a nutshell. And although we'd all like to see him paint faster (because we want to see more of his work), he'd rather only produce 3 or 4 great paintings in a year, than 6-8, what he would consider, second-rate ones. And I get that. He puts so much into each piece, he's not willing to do less than his best.

The second quote is along the same lines, be excellent in whatever you do, but goes beyond that in it's total message: Life is a gift. Make the most of it. Do what you love. And do it really, really well. (you can quote me!!). I think that says it all. — Linda

“Quality is more important than quantity. One home run is much better than two doubles.”
–  Steve Jobs, interview in Businessweek

“We don’t get a chance to do that many things, and every one should be really excellent. Because this is our life. Life is brief, and then you die, you know? And we’ve all chosen to do this with our lives. So it better be damn good. It better be worth it.” –  Steve Jobs, interview in Fortune

Steve Jobs, 1955-2011

Romantic Marriage Proposal for Auto Enthusiasts

I don't think of myself as a romantic, but being a part of a "muscle car wedding proposal" gave me goosebumps!!

We know many of Michael's car art prints, artist proofs and gallery edition canvases have been given as a gift for a number of occasions: birthday, retirement, anniversary, Father's Day, client and customer appreciation; grooms have bought an automotive print for their best man gift; brides have ordered artist proofs as gifts for their husband-to-be (traditionally called the groom gift, I think). But incorporating automotive fine art, in something as deeply personal as asking for a woman's hand in marriage, may very well be a first. And Dave, chose Michael's Road Runner painting, "BEEP BEEP!", to do it!

Here's a little video I put together. I hope it puts a smile on your face. — Linda

Too Busy to Blog - A Car Show Summer

Looking back, I cannot believe my last post was way back in June for Father's Day! Actually, with our busy summer schedule, I guess it's not all that surprising. Like many self employed people, we don't really have a down time, and if anything, the "car show season" makes summer even busier for us. Add to that our kids on summer break, and there's not much spare time. All that being said, we had a really great couple of months — managing to juggle both work and play.

We kicked off the summer with a trip to Cornwall, Ontario, for a local show put on by Jack Notman and his team at Notman Chrysler Dodge Jeep. What a treat. A small, local event, it's strictly a car show, no swamp meet, kiddie rides, or food fair. It gives area folks (from as far away as Quebec and Upper State New York) a chance to show off their pride and joy, have some fun, and support the local chapter of the Girl Guides (who do an awesome job of keeping everyone fed with great burgers and hotdogs!)

The event definitely draws an eclectic crowd. The cars — or more correctly, vehicles — ranged from a painted-up boogie van, to a rare special edition Viper, classic Chargers, Challengers, Darts and more, new Challengers and Chargers, even Chrysler's new Journey was present! Really, a great mix of old and new. The most unique, was the Road Runner and car hauler combo ... perfectly matched, they took best of show.

This was our second year, and having it fall on the Canada Day long weekend, made it even more special. With our kids fresh out of school for the summer, we turned the little trip into a mini family getaway. A sort of "kick off to the summer!" On Saturday we were able to enjoy the fireworks display over the Seaway – really nicely done – then the car show on Sunday, and a trip to Ottawa on Monday to round it out. Then we had a week at home and were off again.

Our next event was the Carlisle Chrysler Nationals .... but that's a whole other story. You'll just have to wait for my next post. I can tell you, though, romance was in the air. ;) — Linda