I remember taking art classes in high school, but I don’t remember why. I did a couple of hard-edge paintings on canvas, some monstrous thing out of foam, and one decent watercolor. I was mostly into snow skiing and guitar. In the long run, the guitar won, and I spent most of my twenties and thirties seeking rock stardom.
I come from a very musical family and music was our blessing and curse. The lifestyle was not exactly healthy and eventually I found darkness. I stayed there for quite a while, until I remembered that I used to like painting. I started again and felt better. I was able to find little pieces of joy and I needed that. My life got better, and I restarted college. A career in Social Work was the result. Life got busy and art was not a part of it.
As I got older, I realized that something was missing, and I needed to get back to that space that was mine alone. I decided to take classes in abstract painting. My first assignment was inspiring and made me think, “I painted that? How the heck did I do that?” The instructor said something that is now my mantra, “Let the painting speak to you.” I suppose this might not apply to all art, but it really has a place in abstract. That’s how I come up with what I create. It speaks to me, and I follow it. There is no greater honor for me as an artist than that my art may speak to you as well. I can only thank you. Welcome to the conversation.
Richard Irwin
Cherie Martin Irwin
Upon retirement, I work full time as a fiber and mixed media folk artist. I was a quilter for 30 years, but recently decided to explore techniques outside of making identical blocks repeatedly. I am motivated by creating unique, one of a kind, handmade items that are useful, whimsical and frequently designed with a bit of irony. My favorite part of the design process is the selection of colors and prints and considering their impact in someone’s home.
I am an avid environmentalist and prioritize being earth-conscious. Most of my work includes fabric scraps and fabric from the free table at guild meetings; repurposed notions, lace and embroidery from Noni Maria and Grandma Euphia; found objects; and tin containers I cut up. I use a lot of hearts because they are a universal symbol for positivity and connection and I hope what I do makes people smile.
My zipper bags (useful in your handbag or backpack, for travel) are in the Fuller Lodge Art Center in Los Alamos, my work is represented in the Roswell Museum gift shop and I will soon be in The Local Bodega in Alamogordo.