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
My art is a vibrant celebration of color, whimsy, and joy, often infused with humor. I blend fiber, drawing, painting, mosaic, paper mache, sculpture, and mixed media, creating visually engaging pieces rich in texture and layered meaning. As a committed environmentalist, I frequently incorporate repurposed materials, giving new life to tiny fabric scraps and overlooked elements, ensuring nothing goes to waste.
My optimistic nature is reflected in my subject matter. Circles, hearts, trees, flowers, and mandalas are recurring motifs, inspired by nature, others' creative expressions, exploration, and the simple delight of play. I'm drawn to scenes primarily through their color, and the stories behind other artists' work.
Inspired by nature's beauty and the pure joy of making people smile, my art seeks to evoke happiness and connection. My technique is a continual evolution; I experiment with various stitching methods in fabric and explore new adhesives and grouting in mosaic, combining media thoughtfully for harmony in color and shape. I am a forever student, committed to growth and continually refining my approach to keep my work fresh, unique, and full of life.
My work can be found in the Fuller Lodge Art Center in Los Alamos, NM. Annually, I am at Recycle Santa Fe and Placitas Holiday Market (November), and from Thanksgiving to Christmas at Taos Folk.
View my professional portfolio here.