Artist Craig Irvin
Montgomery, Texas
William Burroughs said "What do artists do? We dream for other people."
This is one of the artists goals--to create dreams. “My work often recalls childhood.,” he says. “I don‘t think we ever really outgrow the happy things of youth.”
Museums and books filled with paintings were his teachers. He studied every painter from Giotto to Giacometti. He immersed himself in their methods and techniques. In that sense, he is self taught, but educated by the masters.
Craig grew up in Houston, and has played guitar and written songs since he was 14. He has performed professionally for most of his life at clubs in and near the city. And music shows up in many of his paintings.
He says, “I love music, but right now my creative energy is intensely focused on my paintings. Music sleeps while I'm in the other room painting like a madman.”
Humor and “looking at things from the other side” are a basic part of his make-up.
“I like to show the tension of the moment just before or just after something has occurred between people or animals.”, he says. “I tap into childhood and common American experiences. In doing all this, I hope to give the viewer occasion to pause, think, smile, and remember.
My goal for every painting is to bring a daily feeling of peace and warmth to it’s owner.”
Craig is married to fine artist Ping, and they often show together. They share a studio in Montgomery Texas.