Connections key to artist’s success

By: 
Ron Burtz
Cait Irwin showed up to make a book presentation to Custer Elementary School last week in a shirt and pants splotched with dozens of different paint colors, which was entirely appropriate because the book she was presenting contained illustrations painted by Irwin herself. 
Irwin, who is currently working as the artist-in-residence at Sylvan Lake Lodge, came in her everyday work clothes to present a copy of the new book “The Secret Life of Phil” to principal Barb Paulson for the school library. 
Although she makes her home in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Irwin has a long history with Custer and the Black Hills which led directly to her becoming the illustrator for the children’s book. 
“I was 8 years old the first time I visited the Black Hills with my family,” said Irwin. “The Black Hills felt magical to me as a kid because I was so fascinated by the rock formations, wildlife and history.”
Multiple visits to the area followed over the years as Irwin kept in contact with old family friends Hank and Marianne Fridell. 
That connection led to Irwin designing the logo for the inaugural Burning Beetle event as well as the iconic “guitar-playing beetle at the microphone” image for the variety show. 
“I loved the originality of the event and how it tied art, music and natural science together in effort to grasp the impact of the bark beetle,” said Irwin, adding that the Beetle Burn artwork led to another artistic opportunity.  
“I was doing live art at Bitter Esters ... for the second annual Burning Beetle,” said Irwin, “and was approached by Tommy Hegerfeld, manager at the Sylvan Lodge at the time, to possibly be an artist-in-residence.”
This is Irwin’s fifth year at Sylvan Lake and she said her residency there led directly to her being commissioned to do the illustrations for the children’s book which tells the story of Phil, a black-footed ferret who travels through the Black Hills talking about the parks and animals of the area.
Bark Beetle Blues, the Burning Beetle festival organizers, donated the book to Custer Elementary School and the Custer County libraries for the children of Custer.
“How ‘The Secret Life of Phil’ came about is a neat story,” said Irwin. “The author, Melissa Marsted, owner of Lucky Penny Press, was traveling through the Black Hills last summer. She stopped in [at Sylvan Lake Lodge] and fell in love with a crane painting I had created. She emailed me, asking if I do illustrations. So after almost a year of working together—never meeting in person—the book came to fruition.”
Irwin explained the process of creating illustrations this way: “She would send me a rough of her text for each illustration and I would envision the scene. I chose ink and watercolor, as I love the bold look. I really loved the spirit and concept of her book because it educates young people about the importance of our country’s natural spaces and wildlife. Plus, Phil takes the reader through the parks on a fun and exciting journey, and he is pretty cute!”
Irwin finally got to meet Marsted in person this summer when she visited with her son for a race. She said the two used the opportunity to talk about future projects. 
Irwin said her Custer connections have also led to another work opportunity. 
“Krystal Hegerfeld approached me to do this year’s Buffalo Roundup design for shirts and hats, as well as a special edition poster for the event,” she said.
Irwin said she has always known that she was an artist and considers art to be her purpose while here on earth. 
“I am self taught,” she says, “and I’m not sure how, but I can instantly pick up new mediums. Although I have always been involved with artistic endeavors, I have been a full-time artist for six years. My company, Irwin Artworks, will celebrate its sixth anniversary in the winter. I wrote and illustrated my first book at age 14. The subject was about my own personal experience with depression. ‛Conquering the Beast Within’ was published by Random House in 1999. I toured with the book while attending college. I would do a follow-up book through Oxford Press in 2007. So I am no stranger to the book world and have several illustration projects cooking!”
Irwin said her biggest claim to fame in the art world, however, is her murals, such as the eight large paintings she has done for the Iowa School For the Deaf. 
“I love working big and have an uncanny sense of scale and proportion,” said Irwin. “No matter what size, I execute murals freehand! You can find my murals all over the country in private residences, businesses, public art spaces and schools.”
In addition to her work as an artist-in-residence, Irwin sells much of her work online in her Etsy store, where she also plans to offer signed copies of the children’s book as well as framed prints of the original illustrations. 

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