Irvin Rodriguez
Meet Irvin Rodriguez – Painter, Artist and Developer
Born in the Bronx, New York in 1988, Irvin first apprenticed under an artist named Mark Lawrence where he learned the basics on how to paint. Mark gave Irvin his first art job at his airbrush shop. From there, Irvin attended and graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FITNYC) with a BFA in Illustration (2010), while simultaneously studying at the Grand Central Atelier (2008-2010), and later at the Art Students League of NY (2013-2016). Currently, Irvin works as a Character Concept Artist for the video game developer, Naughty Dog.
When asked what drove him towards art in general, Irvin said “I am interested in telling human stories through paint. My works are not simply portraits of a physical person, but rather portraits of an experience.” His works also reflect his own raw childhood experiences that helped develop him today. As a result, Irvin’s work often depicts a “poignant juxtaposition of bright, hopeful youthfulness and the solemn, deflated frailty of life.”
“What seemed like hindrances in my past served as the outlet for my paintings,” says Irvin. “I only realized later in life how I would benefit from those seemingly insurmountable obstacles. Painting is a way for me to talk about things, no matter how big or small. It allows me to work through the experiences of my life and communicate them in the most instinctive manner I know… painting. It is a visual language.”
Irvin has exhibited in numerous group and solo exhibitions in Europe, South America, and the United States. He was also the recipient of the 2016 Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant, the 2019 The John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship, and the 2019 Donald Jurney Travel Fellowship. He also notes that some of his inspirations include James Jean, Ruprecht Von Kaufman, Lynette Yiadom Boakye, Jenny Saville, Katsuya Terada, Hayao Miyazaki, Katsuhiro Otomo, and Moebius. His most recent exhibited entitled “Someday This Pain Will Be Useful To You” just finished being displayed at the Susquehanna Art Museum in Harrisburg, PA.
As for Irvin’s advice to young aspiring artists, he says “Work hard on a building a solid foundation and skill set in drawing and painting because they will stay with you forever. You can always add new skills and software later, but take the time that you need to become an excellent draughtsman and painter. Everything else will fall into place!”
You are a true inspiration and talented artist Irvin. Keep it up!
You can check out all of Irvin’s amazing paintings and other art work by following him on IG @irvinrodriguez.
