Meet Trevor Irvin | Illustrator and designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Trevor Irvin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Trevor, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?

Hard work is the most important factor. When I bought a small agency it was hard work and high quality work that made it succeed. As a staff illustrator at the Atlanta Constitution, it was hard work and quality work to make deadlines, same at CNN. And then as a freelancer you are not only responsible for doing the work everyday, but finding clients. You last piece of work gets you your next piece of work.

So, it is work and the desire to get better with every piece you do that is mostly responsible for any success I have had. And maybe a little bit of luck here and there. The right person seeing your work, a job that gets you a little bit of notice and friends and business associates that recommend your work to others.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

The thing I’m most proud of is that I’ve been able to take a blank piece of paper, doodle on it, and turn it into money – almost like a form of forgery. By drawing, something I’ve done from my earliest days, I’ve been able to survive and support a family. I can’t think of many occupations as fun, satisfying and rewarding as that. The jobs I took were what got me to where I am today, buying that small first agency, getting hired by the newspaper, starting at CNN before we were even on air, and then going freelance – those steps brought me to where I am now. Was it easy? No, not really. It was a lot of work. There were many failures and disappointments along the way, but those come with all facets of life. I doubt my struggles were any worse than anyone else’s – and I’ve been very fortunate too. You overcome your challenges, by trying, if you fail, get up and try again, but make it better this time – it’s no more complex than that. The lessons I’ve learned along they way? Work hard, get better everyday, observe all things around you, stick to your principals, push back when necessary, be willing to change your opinions when you find they are wrong — but most importantly, like the great Warren Zevon once said, “enjoy every sandwich.” Enjoy every moment and try to make yourself useful in a small way everyday. As for your question, what do I want the world to know about me – I have no idea, I’m sure it can make up its own mind on that issue.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

I live a very simple life, I wake up and draw, paint or write, for most of the day. I don’t travel much so I would be a very bad tour guide of my surroundings. But, the one gem I point everyone toward is the Michael Carlos Museum on the grounds of Emory University. A small, but excellent facility – don’t miss it. If you wish to drink, go to Manuel’s Tavern on North Ave. where the great Manuel Maloof would spin you tales of everything political on the Atlanta scene. Want a good bite to eat? Go to Taqueria del Sol in Decatur- Mike Klank and Eddie Hernandez have some great dishes waiting there for you. If you want to jsut hang, my front porch sitting underneath the ceiling fan slapping away at julip speed is where you ought to be. If you’re good I’ll smoke a pork shoulder for you. If you are into sports, bypass all the professional crap and take in or better yet participate in a game of rugby. This is the domain of my team, the Atlanta Renegades. Or try Little Candler 9 hole golf course, formally the private golf course of the Coca-Cola Candler family.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

There are too many to list, but all the illustrators and artists before me whose work I’ve admired and learned from. First my high school art teacher Mrs. Ehrich who supported and encouraged me when others did not. She got me out of many a scrape – she is a fine teacher and a wonderful person. Then there are two of my instructors at Ringling, Mr. Peter Roberts and Mrs. Patmagrian who were instrumental in my development. And Leslie Posey, a great sculptor in Sarasota that I studied under for 4 years who was a great sculptor, instructor and an inspiration.

I’d have to mention my family, my parents and grandparents who supported me and got me where I was going. My wife who I met in art school is a big part of my success.

My time as a staff illustrator at the Atlanta newspapers gave me some intensive training to meet deadlines and many of the people who saw my work in the paper became the basis for my freelance clients.

Hard work and a little talent is necessary for success but all the other things that surround and support you are just as critical.

Website: www. irvinproductions.com

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Image Credits
Credits: Trevor Stone Irvin