Today, we’d like to introduce you to Ed Irmen.
Hi Ed, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
I started out my exploration with art as a kid, filling sketchbooks with things like Pokemon, Dragon Ball Z characters, and superheroes. All I knew at that point was that I liked to draw and that I liked what I was drawing. I grew up, went to College for something I wasn’t in love with, failed, and then went back to school for Art and immediately found what I was looking for.
After graduation, I was met with the brutal reality of the job market. I wanted to paint murals and start a studio practice, but bills and student loans were not going away. It’s not easy to find employment with the skill set you learn in school, and even harder to find one that is going to give you fulfillment and joy.
I decided that working dead-end jobs that didn’t advance my practice were of no value to me. So I started networking, showed up to shows and festivals, and eventually, I was out there, assisting artists, learning, and building a reputation. Now, I own a successful mural business and work with the best of the best artists, and I’ve found joy in what I do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Oh man, it has not been a smooth road. There are so many things you don’t know, things you’re not told, and things you just have to experience in order to make sure they never happen again. I learned that contracts should be your number one priority.
Something that’s legally binding, that ties you to the work, gets you paid, and puts you in the driver’s seat for changes and any inevitable hiccups along the way. You never really know if a client is going to flip on you. It could be a family member, and I’m still going to present a contract.
Another struggle I had initially was finding work. I learned that you should never discredit yourself and shoot for the moon. Sometimes, the biggest projects that you think are out of your reach are looking for you specifically. My advice is to apply to everything and talk to anyone you can about the things you’re interested in.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I paint large-scale murals, operate a studio practice for galleries and private clients, and supplement my income as an art handler. My murals are known for vibrant color and, more often than not, birds.
I started painting birds because I loved dinosaurs as a kid, and my grandfather was a successful artist and educator who made gorgeous woodcuts of cranes and waterfowl. The fixation sort of trickled down to me. I view the images I create as a reflection of self and, specifically, what it means to be human.
I think that’s why I enjoy public art so much, you get the privilege of putting time, effort and research into making an image that not only reflects the area or residents but one that is specific to your world view.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Covid really did a doozy on artists. For a lot of us, it was a great excuse to stay in the studio and do some incredible work.
Exist with ourselves, void of distraction, away from people. I, however, struggled with this. I found that I needed people and that we are not completely the people who exist in our heads. I think we are mostly ourselves when we have to be around others, be awkward, share our experiences, and learn what makes others tick.
Once the world shifted back to a new norm, everything was different. So much time in our own bubbles created this insular attitude that led to exclusiveness and isolationism. We’re a few years out from that and things are starting to stabilize, but I definitely think that Covid shaped some of the negativity we’re seeing today.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.edirmen.com
- Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/birdman_murals
Image Credits
TJ Samuels @uberhubris
