Where Artists Create - Cleo, Art Dog

As I've shared, I"ve been photographing artist Kevin Irwin in her studio for many years. No studio visit is complete without a few shots of sweet Cleo. Like the rest of us, Cleo has gotten older and enjoys longer naps on her studio bed. Kevin woke her up for a quick shoot. I love this photo of the two of them together.  I"m including a few more of older photos that I love.

Where Artists Create - The Studio

Now that you have met Kevin Irwin and gotten to know and appreciate her many artistic talents, I suppose you might want to see where all this wonderfulness is created! Kevin's studio is in an charming old building overlooking downtown Birmingham built in 1880. It started as a saloon and rooming house ( house of ill repute?), and later was a soda bottling plant in the 1920s, then a candy company and later the office for Perfection Laundry. The painted BAMCO ( Birmingham Auto and Machine Company) signage on the outside is still visible. Kevin's eclectic but very organized studio takes up the entire second floor while her husband Paul's Irwin Brothers Remodling occupies the ground floor. As a photographer, it's one huge photo op. The exposed brick and original wood floors, along with windows commanding some nice views of Sloss Furnaces and downtown Birmingham make for an eclectic space for Kevin to work and exhibit her art.

What is the inspiration for your work?  "My heart.  What hurts me and what heals me.  What inspires me and what makes me rage.  But what is most important is what makes me laugh and inspires me to appreciate the joy and humour in life.  HOPE,  always. " 

Drawn To The Flame

Glass artist Kevin Irwin, studied in Italy to learn this skill. It was fascinating to watch her work.

Roll 'em

One thing I've learned as I have photographed many artists' studios over these last 6 1/2 years, expect the unexpected. Artist Kevin Irwin's workspace was one delight after another. Today......proof.