The Evolution of the Art and the Artist

Artist Michael Irvine's Mission Statement:

"To constantly challenge myself and create
paintings that I can be proud to stand in
front of." - Michael Irvine

And he really does live, and paint, by that statement. If Michael's not completely happy with the setting, title, cars, story, any part of the painting, he won't paint it.

For the better part of 20 years, the fine art was more of a hobby, for Michael. He had a successful and lucrative career as a commercial illustrator, and he dabbled in his own art. Always a lover of the automobile, his subject of choice was easy! About 4 years ago, we sat down and had a serious discussion on where we saw ourselves in the future. As recognition in the automotive world grew, so did the demand (from our clients) for Michael to release prints more often than once or twice a year. Juggling both the commercial art, as well as the automotive paintings, became to much and a decision had to be made. I'm glad to say, the right one!

Now, that's when things got interesting ...

Michael started to find new ways of challenging himself with every new painting. First it was the level of detail and the number of cars. Then the 'fantasy' setting, like the paintings in the Muscle Car Landscapes Series. Then, in a piece like "Feeding Frenzy", he took his use of reflective surfaces to a new level - the only non-reflective surface is the sky.

There are the paintings in the Above Them All Series ("Service Fit For A King", "It's A Grand Sport"), which not only give you a unique, bird's eye view of an iconic, history making vehicle, but also allow you to hang your art, your way.

Recently, he's pushing himself creatively - to tell a story, or give the onlooker a view, not only beyond the ordinary, but almost the surreal. Like in "BEEP BEEP!", he is pushing himself creatively, to capture, what I think, is the 'personality' of the vehicles.

It'll be interesting to see what he comes out with next. All I know, is his sketchbook is extraordinary!! Thanks for your support, I'll keep you posted. - Linda

Do You Know Your Engines?

Taking a bit of a breather since finishing his latest painting, "Beep Beep!" featuring the powerful Plymouth Road Runners, Michael came across this cool and challenging game. He said it was tough and a couple had him baffled. In the end, he scored a respectable 15 out of 19 ... how will you measure up?

It's called the "Engine ID Game #2 (V8s from 1957 to 1972) Trivia Game", check it out at: AMERICAN TORQUE.com ... and good luck!

Courtesy of AmericanTorque.com

Roadrunner & Coyote Animated Cartoon - A Hint at Michael's Next Painting

All you Mopar fans will be glad to hear that Michael is busy working on his latest painting, which is due to be released in early February 2011. The video clip above should give you a pretty good hint as to what the feature cars in the painting are! As much as I'd like to, I haven't been given the go ahead to leak any more information than that. All I can say, is that if you're a true Plymouth Roadrunner fan, you're gonna love it!

Here's what I can tell you:

• It's the same size as Feeding Frenzy and B-Movie Night
• It's one of the paintings in Michael's "American Blacktop" Series
  
• There will be 800 Limited Edition Prints released
• 20 Artist Proofs with Remarque made available
• 50 Gallery Edition Canvases released (I can't wait to see this one big!!)

In the mean time, to hold you over, check out this link: http://www.wimp.com/looneytoons/# with the complete Looney Tunes video ... it's great!

Enjoy the show! — Linda

Buying Art (Lesson 3): Limited Edition Reproductions - Lithographic Prints and Giclées

As I touched on in my last installment, Buying Art ( Lesson 2), Authentic Art Reproductions vs Fakes, there are several different types of "reproductions" of original art. But, like everything else, there are some major differences. In the case of Michael's art, our reproductions are not only incredibly close to the original paintings, but also, produced on the highest quality papers, with the best inks, in the best methods available.

Michael at the Wellborn Muscle Car Museum in Alexander City, Alabama
with Gallery Edition Canvases of Six Pack Salute, Feeding Frenzy, B-Movie Night and End of the Line and a framed Giclée Print on Watercolor paper of Service Fit For A King.

Today, limited edition reproductions are primarily produced using one of two printing processes; offset lithography and giclée printing. Offset lithographs have, for the most part, replaced traditional lithographs and serigraphs. Offset printing is relatively fast — a print run of 800 takes only about 2-3 hours — and the quality is pretty consistent throughout the print run. In other words, the first print and last print are the same quality. All the prints in the edition are run at the same time. The printing plates are metal and have to be destroyed at the end of the run. Most offset presses utilize 4-5 color "stations." Due to the way the multi-colored image is "separated" to accommodate the press, offset lithographs have a dot pattern (see Buying Art ( Lesson 2)) which is invisible to the naked eye. Giclée prints are produced on a press that "sprays" ink, from up to 11 color stations, onto the paper or canvas, so there is no dot pattern. Each print takes about 10-15 minutes to produce, each canvas can take up to 45 minutes to print. Giclée prints are renowned for being, at first glance, almost impossible to differentiate from an original painting.

If you've ever watched a show like "Auction Kings", you've probably heard talk about acid-free paper. They touch on the value of prints, etc. printed on acid-free vs non-acid-free paper. Because the acids in the paper will damage the reproduction over time, the acid-free ones have a greater longevity and, therefore, value. Technically, all paper is made using a wood-based pulp that naturally contains acid. This causes paper to yellow and deteriorate, especially when exposed to heat or light. During production, acid-free paper is treated with calcium or magnesium bicarbonate - neutralizing the natural acids in the wood pulp.  Once treated, this paper will be preserved for at least 100 years. So, you can see the importance of printing limited edition reproductions on acid-free stock. 100% acid-free canvas, such as we use for Michael's Gallery Edition Canvases, is based on the same principle.

Then there is the actual feel and weight of the paper, itself. For Michael's offset lithographs, we've stuck a #1 sheet (best quality paper available) with a satin or matte finish, 10pt stock. It has a beautiful finish and nice weight. When papers are too thin (poster-like) they tend to crease easily. And, ones that are too shiny, tend to have a lower quality, poster look to them. Michael's giclée prints are printed on 100% acid-free, heavyweight watercolor paper. Also utilizing the giclée printing process, Michael's canvases are printed on the best quality, heaviest, 100% cotton, acid free canvas available, today.

Ink also play as huge part in the longevity of a reproduction. There are printers that can produce low run, large format prints (signs and promotional banners are produced by this method these days), but they are NOT produced using giclée inks. The same goes for offset prints —brochures, posters, etc, are printed on the same type of press, but on second rate paper and with ordinary ink. In both Michael's offset lithographs and giclée reproductions, we use only specialty inks, which are specifically designed for 100-200 year light-fastedness. That being said, any work of art (originals included) should never, never, be hung in direct sunlight. Although a reproduction on acid-free stock with specialty inks will hold up longer than a poster or photocopied print, it will eventually succumb to the damaging effects of the sun. Even the best paint job, with layers of clear coat, will fade if you leave the car exposed to the elements!!

We really pride ourselves on the quality of the reproduction of Michael's work. His Limited Edition Prints and Giclée Prints are the exact same size as the original watercolor paintings, while the Gallery Edition Canvases are enlargements. All 3 types of reproductions are incredibly close in color, quality and sharpness to the original paintings. Michael hand inspects each reproduction himself, before it leaves the Studio.   

Like Michael and myself, most enthusiasts buy collectibles they like, rather than for their future value. However, due to the differences in quality and longevity of a reproduction, as an art buyer, you need to be as informed as possible about what you are buying.

Key questions to ask:

• Is it a limited reproduction - how many have been produced?
• What size if the original? What medium was it painted in?
• What kind of paper/canvas is it reproduced on? Is it acid-free?
• What is the process with which the reproductions were created?

Remember, when choosing art, there really is no right or wrong, only what inspires you, brings you joy, and/or adds to the color of your life. Thank you for including Michael's work in your collection! — Linda

Holiday Air Travel and Gift Giving

Like everyone else, we've been watching news about the TSA, the body scanners and the "much too personal" physical searches. The whole thing has many people concerned about the health ramifications of the radiation, as well as being personally violated. There is actually a National Opt-Out Day (please note, the images on the site are a bit graphic) scheduled for Wednesday, November 24th, that urges people that are flying that day to make a stand against the whole thing. Hopefully the message will not only be received, but have an impact.

We, like many of our clients, have just opted out of air travel this year, period. We already passed on SEMA in Las Vegas and won't be flying anywhere this winter. Instead, we are shipping gifts across country to family and friends. It can be a bit pricey (cheaper than flying, though) and it's not the same as being there, but we're just not willing to subject ourselves and especially our children to the high doses of radiation or the invasive body searches. And, we can't expect our long distance loved ones to do any different.

One nice thing about saving the airfare, is that it leaves us with a bigger budget for the gifts, themselves. I know it's not how much you spend, but the sentiment that's important, but it feels good to have a bit more budget 'wiggle' room. I'm finding shopping funner this year! It seems I'm always busy, so I do quite a bit of my shopping on-line in the middle of the night. I've noticed that some on-line retailers offer shipping discounts during the holiday season, making it even more appealing.

Michael's automotive art is popular in the gift-giving department. Especially since we do offer Free Shipping anywhere in the World. We can ship your print directly to the recipient. You can be in Florida, wanting to send a gift to your cousin in Australia, and we can do that for you, free of charge. We'll even include a Christmas Card from you, if you like. Just let us know what you want it to say. The Planning for Christmas article in our Studio Newsletter, gives you a guideline for ordering deadlines to make it in time for Christmas. For International deliveries (Australia & Europe), we recommend a 2 week lead time.

This holiday season is definitely going to be different. I've heard that bookings at favorite kid-friendly holiday destinations, like Disney in Florida and California are down. As well as hot spots like Hawaii and other tropical destinations. And let's not forget North American ski resorts like Lake Placid, Aspen, Big White, Whistler and Banff. Maybe what needs to happen is a complete boycott of air-travel ... that would send the message, loud and clear!

Although, I have to admit that the on-line gift shopping is making our approach to the holidays a little less hectic and a bit more relaxed, I would like to see this "security" business resolved. Until it is, I don't see any air-travel in our near future.

Take care. Be safe. — Linda

New Corvette Painting Released

It's finally here —  Michael's long awaited Corvette painting. Entitled, "C1, See Them All" it features over 30 cars, spanning all six generations of America's classic sports car. It will be officially released tomorrow, but it's up on line now. It is the 7th painting in Michael's "Muscle Car Landscapes" Series.

The painting's name, "C1, See Them All," is a play on words. Taking advantage of the aptly named C1 through C6 generations of the Corvette, Michael chose the title to tell the story ... while stopping at a scenic rest stop, one of a group of late model Vette drivers have spotted a C1 in the valley. As he calls his fellow enthusiasts over, he realizes that he not only sees the one car, but has happened upon a find of epic proportions ... when he sees them all!!

Sweet Carrot Cake - Sugar Free

October just plain got away from me! Between Canadian Thanksgiving and the Car Collector Auction in Toronto, and Michael working crazy hours to complete his latest all Corvette painting and a bout of the flu, not to mention Halloween with school aged kids, it just whizzed by!

As things calm down a bit, and before the frenzy of a New Release hits (it's called "C1, See Them All", by the way), I thought I'd take a moment and share another "new" sugar free recipe that I just baked last night. Although I'm the only one who has tasted tested it so far, I'm liking it. My father, who is a diabetic with a huge sweet tooth, will be the ultimate judge. But I think he'll approve, it's just decadent and moist enough for his liking!

Here's a quick photo I took, (it's obvious that Michael's the artist, not me!) in our dining room. Although you can't see it, that's "New to the Chase", Michael's 2001 Bullitt painting, in the background!

Sweet Carrot Cake - Sugar-free

Cake
2 1/4 cups flour
2 cups Splenda Grandular
2 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups shredded carrots (about 2 large carrots)
4 eggs
1 1/2 cups oi

Frosting
1 2/3 cup Splenda
8 oz cream cheese (I use Philidelphia Spreadable - in the tub)
4 tblsp margarine
2 tsp vanilla

Heat oven to 350ºF. Grease and lightly dust with flour, bottom and sides of a bunt pan (which is what I used) or two 9-inch round pans. In a large bowl combine all Cake ingredients. Mix on medium for about 3 minutes. Pour in to prepared pan(s), bake for 45-60 minutes for the bunt, 35-45 for the 9-inch, or until a wooden skewer inserted comes out clean. Let cool 10 minutes, remove from pan(s) and cool completely.

For frosting, combine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Blend well with a spatula. The frosting may still need a bit of work, I've never made one completely sugar-free before. I recommend playing with the ingredients a bit, maybe adding some extra vanilla. Although mine was pretty good, I'm not sure it's quite sweet enough. Alternately, skip the icing, the cake is so moist, it really doesn't need it. Or make traditional icing and serve it "on the side". Just had another thought: this would be excellent with sugar-free whipped cream - yum!!

I'll let you know if it passes the tough dad test. In the mean time, watch for the release of Michael's Corvette piece ... any day now ...  and for my next "Buying Art" installment.  — Linda