The 1970's - The Era That Started It All

We were at a local car show, held at Reif Winery, this past weekend. Our first time there, it's a very nice event, with about 350 classic cars, many of them Corvettes. Inevitably, when people see Michael's car artwork (especially in person), they want him to capture cars from other eras in brilliant watercolor! One of the most popular requests is vehicles from the 1950s. It's not that he doesn't like  those cars, Michael has an appreciation for pretty much every collector vehicle, it's a matter of time and influence.

Time is easy enough to explain ... each painting takes Michael literally hundreds of hours. Painting in watercolor allows Michael to play with reflections, subtle gradations and incredibly small details, but the drawback is that it is a time consuming medium. It's "high risk" — with very little room for errors. Each decision has to be made before the brush touches the cold pressed watercolor board he paints on. With a translucent medium, here are no "do-overs", or in other words, no "paint-overs!"

So, although Michael creates these incredible works full time (and then-some, putting in 16 hour days near the end of a painting), due to the length of time each piece takes, he only releases between 3-6 paintings a year. Currently, he is working his way through the "muscle car" era, thus no 50s cars yet!

Which brings us to the reason he started with the 1960s and 70s ... early influences. Everyone seems to have that pinnacle moment when they fell in love with a car, a make, a model. I often ask clients when they were struck by the "Mopar magic", or  hit with the "Chevy arrow" or the "Ford thunderbolt" ... okay, maybe I don't ask in such colourful ways, but you get the idea. Everyone I've spoken to can almost pinpoint that moment in time that impacted them and their choice to become car enthusiasts. For Michael it was a ride in his uncle's Mustang ... I think he was only 5 years old ... he got in and KNEW it was a cool car! Born in 1967, Michael grew up in the 1970s, and that era had the greatest influence on him. He grew up when muscle cars from both the 1960s and 1970s were everyday vehicles.

Michael's paintings are a reflection of the cars, the culture and the decades that brought them to us. While doing some online research for an upcoming piece, Michael came across this cool site, dedicated to bringing back some of the fun toys and games that those growing up in the 1970s might remember — it sure brought back memories for him! He found many toys, especially model cars and trucks, that he himself built back then. Check it out, it's a lot of fun. PlaidStallions.com — Linda

Decorating The Home With Automotive Fine Art

Michael's automotive fine art hangs in man caves, dens, rec rooms, offices and now, more than ever, in feature areas of many clients' homes. We are always thrilled to hear just how creative people are with, not only the framing and matting, but also how they hang Michael's Limited Editon Prints and Gallery Edition Canvases.

Recently, at Mecum Indy, we met face to face (for the first time) with a client that has collected Michael's work for several years. It was great to get a chance to put a face to a name, email and voice! Curtis had stopped by to say hi and to check out Michael's latest piece (which he'd already ordered, but not received yet), "Chasing History."

During our chat, Curtis and I exchanged framing and hanging ideas. One of the things we found we had in common (aside from a love and appreciation of Michael's car art!!), was the way we display it.

As you can well imagine, we have a LOT of art in our home — most of it Michael's but there's a decent showing of other works too. And, like many, we are a bit light on wall space. So, I decided to try "stacking" the art. In other words, rather than hanging a single print at eye-level, which is what most decorators recommend, I hang one just above, and one just below. So, my eye level, is roughly the bottom of the top frame. I have to tell you, the effect is pretty stunning. It gives it a "gallery feel" and to my mind, gives the art even more impact.

As it turns out, I'm not the only one to do this. One of our other clients, Steven, is not only stacking, but also alternating — one vertical Gallery Edition Canvas, two stacked framed prints, one vertical Gallery Edition Canvas, etc. — brilliant! I'm waiting for Steven to send me pictures (hint, hint).

After talking with Curtis at the Mecum Auction, to my surprise and delight, when we arrived at home, he had emailed me a photograph of his clever art corner! Here's a peek at what Curtis has done — not only stacking, but using corner space —looks great! Definitely an idea I plan to incorporate in our own home.

Fittingly, Curtis named the photograph he sent me, "Irvine Corner." Thanks Curtis!!

"Irvine Corner" great idea for hanging Michael's car art!
Shown clockwise, starting top left:
They Came With The Farm, Kings of the Road,
Big Blocks Behind the Barn, Always Room For One More.

Mecum Indy Auction: Behind the Scenes

For the first time ever, we set up a display of Michael's car art at Dana Mecum's Auction in Indianapolis, Indiana. It was quite the event ... over 2500 cars going over the block in only 6 days.


The auction ran from 8:00 am until near midnight, almost every day. We took a walk about and were amazed at the shear number and quality of the vehicles. In a word — wow!

Here are a few of the pics we took in the staging lane and in the Marsh Blue Ribbon building, where we were set up.

Mecum Indy: Michael's exhibit; our good friend Jim manning the booth.

Mecum Indy:  That's a lot of Corvettes, like "C1, See Them All."

Mecum Indy:Three orange Plymouth Superbirds under one roof in
the Blue Ribbon Marsh Building.

Mecum Indy: More Vettes - covering all the years.

Mecum Indy: This Classic Corvette was getting ready to hit the staging lanes.

Mecum Indy: Unrestored Plymouth Superbird. Wow.

Mecum Indy: Another wing car. "Six Pack Salute", anyone?

Mecum Indy: Some amazing cars with incredible pedigrees. Including
Fred Gibbs' 1969 Camaro race car.

Mecum Indy: This one appeared as a "What is it?" on our Facebook page.

Mecum Indy: Hot Rod Firetruck.

Mecum Indy: Yellow 1970 Plymouth Superbird.

Mecum Indy: 1970 Boss 302 Mustang — beautiful.

Mecum Indy: Early Corvette racer.

 Mecum Indy: Beautiful 1968 Shelby Convertible on it's way to being sold.

The annual auction is held at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. It's a big venue, easy to get to no matter where you're staying. The Mecum staff are friendly and helpful, whether you are an exhibitor, buyer, seller, or spectator! As car events go, it's should be on everyone's bucket list!

For us, highlights included meeting new clients, seeing dear friends, and putting faces to the names and voices of people that have been collecting Michael's work since the early days. Great seeing you all. Until the next time, Cheers. — Linda

Linda's Easy Fajita Recipe

Last night I found another great way to use Chef Tim Creehan's Grill Plus in one of my "gotta get dinner on the table quick" fall-back recipes. In our family & work dynamic, as an artist, Michael focuses most of his time on the creative process. Every painting is a challenge he puts onto himself. He pushes himself creatively, starting with a vision and finding a way to push past the obstacles and make the painting come to life. And the results are stunning, like his latest piece "Blast By The Past." That leaves mundane tasks like chauffeuring our kids to and from all their activities, as well as preparing all our meals, to me.

"Blast By The Past" - Camaro SS 396 car art painting by Michael Irvine.

So, when I come up with, or come across, a meal that works nutritionally, fits the budget, meets our tight schedule and is loved by the family, it becomes a staple in our diets! I've been making fajitas for years — not authentic, by any means, but a family favorite none-the-less.

Last night, I thought I'd try using Grill Plus ... but I wanted to maintain the flavors our family has become accustom to — I don't know about you, but teenagers can be finicky — which meant still using the Bull's Eye Barbecue Sauce that gives the meal a pretty distinctive flavor. It was a raving success. So good, in fact, I thought I'd share my recipe with you.

Easy Fajitas

• 3-4 chicken breast
• 10" tortilla shells (your choice)
• 1 large red pepper
• 1 medium Vivaldi onion
• 1/4 cup Bull's Eye Barbecue Sauce (or your favorite)
• 1/8 cup Grill Plus (approx)
• 1 tsp fresh ground pepper
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp fresh cilantro
• Condiments: grated cheddar cheese, guacamole,
  sour cream, taco sauce, salsa, hot sauce

Heat bbq to medium high. Brush one side of each breast with Grill Plus. I squirt a dollop on one breast then, using a silicone brush, brush over all 4. Place chicken on grill, Grill Plus side down. Close the lid. Mix barbecue sauce with approx. 2 tbsp of Grill Plus, brush other side of the chicken (while it's on the grill). Turn chicken, set bbq to medium, close lid. Cook for about 10 minutes (check to make sure it doesn't burn. It can be slightly underdone (pink in the middle). Because you've added Grill Plus, it WILL NOT stick ... awesome!

Remove chicken from grill. Set aside. Cut pepper and onion into strips. Heat a large skillet (I use an electric wok) on high. One at the time, heat the tortilla shells, turning when steam bubble appear. Do not over cook, you want them soft NOT crunchy. Once done, set aside on a covered plate.

Add peppers and onions to skillet, cut bbq'd chicken into strips. I stand the breast on it's side and halve it lengthwise, then cut into strips. Add chicken to the skillet. Sprinkle with ground pepper, chili powder and fresh cilantro. Toss mixture. Cook until chicken is all the way done through. I like the veggies to still have a bit of a crispness to them. That's it, your part is done.

Leave mixture in the skillet. Let everyone "fix their own" fajita. So easy and so good!  — ¡Buen apetito!, Linda

MegaSpeed Custom Car & Truck Show – Toronto

The new MegaSpeed Custom Car & Truck Show actually replaces Performance World, a show that was around for many years. So, this inaugural event, is really a new and improved version of one of the area's longest running indoor car shows. New owner, new vendors, new automobiles ... really, a great looking event. And, with the changes owner Pat is making, next year should be even better.

Although we did not set up a booth at the show, Michael's automotive fine art was on display; you can just make out the Gallery Edition Canvases of "BEEP BEEP!", "Feeding Frenzy" and "Pure As The Driven Snow"  in the background of the first photo of the Boss Mustang below, and "Bird Sanctuary" in the 2nd photo. WHAT a beautiful car! After spotting "Boss Building" while the car art was being hung, the owner added it to his collection.

Enjoy the pics. — Linda

Couple of shots of a truly stunning Boss Mustang.

Cool gold truck - beautiful paint. Inspiring us to get our 1971 Firebird into
a paint booth!

 

'

One of our client's cars — took home 5 awards — awesome!

 

TV Show 'Alcatraz' Recreates Classic Bullitt Chase Scene

After seeing the 'new chase' on the show Alcatraz, all we could think was ... "That is 'Chasing History' (Michael's up coming painting) but with the new Dodge Charger and 'Bullitt' Mustangs recreating the classic chase scene from 1968. Wow! Very, very cool."

It seems that Michael coming out with two Bullitt themed car art paintings (he released 'DODGE N' A BULLITT' earlier this year) is perfectly timed. Not only is HoonDog Events planning the "Route 66 Legend Lives Tour" with Bullitt Mustangs and Dodge Chargers old and new, but a hot new TV show reenacts the famous chase scene ... and do it some serious justice.  In striving for authenticity, they even had the Volkswagen in a couple of shots. Too funny.

Like most Bullitt fans, we watched (and recorded) the episode which aired last night (March 26th). I have to admit, it was impressive.

A client of ours from San Francisco, sent us the following link to a 'behind the scenes' look at the chase segment. Click on this link to check it out: 'Bullitt' redux: 'Alcatraz' recreates classic SF chase scene

And, to whet your whistle, here's a few shots I managed to capture. Look familiar, don't they? I think they did a pretty good job. Enjoy, we sure did!! — Linda

Route 66 and Bullitt - That's Just Too Cool

Rare Opportunity to be Part of a Unique Experience.

Michael has been commissioned by HoonDog Events, to create a painting commemorating the inaugural "The Legend Lives Tour," down America's Main Street, the historic Route 66.

The Tour
Just imagine, Dodge Chargers and Bullitt Mustangs, old and new, touring down Route 66 in the ultimate Bullitt caravan!

You don't have to just imagine it, you can be part of history in the making! Hoondog Events has created a unique, memorable driving event, inviting Bullitt Mustang and Dodge Charger owners to take to the open road on Route 66 in the inaugural, "The Legend Lives Tour".

Starting in Chicago, Illinois on May 26th, the tour ends in Chino, California, at the Friends of Steve McQueen car show, on June 2nd, 2012. 

Rare look at Michael's car art at the sketch stage. Shown with limited
printed remarque.

You can register for the whole trip, or just one leg. Or, if you can't make it this year, you can still own a Limited Edition print of the commemorative car art painting, "Chasing History," they've commissioned Michael for!

It Just Gets Better

Above is another rare opportunity to see one of Michael's paintings at the sketch stage and pre-order your Limited Edition Print today.   Only the first 100 prepaid orders (based on the sketch) will have the "Rout 66 The Legend Lives Tour 2012" remarque shown here.

This will be printed on the first
100 pre-ordered prints only.

For more information on "The Legend Lives Tour", check out HoonDogEvents.com.   

Chasing History, is available for order through HoonDog Events, or through us at MichaelIrvine.com. Happy trails!,— Linda