Here Come the Legends

A classic muscle car is never just a car. It’s a first road trip, a lifelong dream, a weekend spent in the garage, or a memory that still makes someone smile. In the Legends of the Road collection, artist Michael Irvine turns those stories into vibrant pictures filled with warmth, nostalgia, and unforgettable American classics. Read our exclusive interview to discover how these scenes came to life – and experience their unmistakable atmosphere as you color this beautiful collection in the Happy Color app.

Where did your passion for cars begin? Is there a particular memory or car that started it all?
I’m pretty sure my interest in cars began, like with most kids, in building plastic model kits. The assembly manual laid out the steps and paint colors necessary to build it just like the flashy box art suggested. Once complete, you felt like you’d accomplished something you could enjoy and be proud of. And always in the back of your mind was the thought that if this little car could bring such happiness, imagine what a full size one could bring!

You restore and drive classic cars yourself. How does that hands-on experience influence your art?
Restoring and driving classic cars doesn’t directly influence my art as much as associating and talking with other car owners about their experiences. How people came to own their cars is always interesting to me. When someone tells me that their daddy bought this car to “run shine,” I take notice, and ideas for a painting just come flooding in.

Your work is known for its realism and attention to detail. How did you develop that balance between accuracy and artistry?
My background as an architectural illustrator for 20 years and dealing with engineers and architects taught me that accuracy is paramount in articulating two-dimensional blueprints into three-dimensional perspective renderings. In that field, accuracy is the artistry.

Your paintings often feel nostalgic and cinematic. What emotions or memories do you hope they evoke in viewers?
The subject matter of my paintings, in this case muscle cars from the 1960s and ’70s, will always bring about nostalgic feelings. People who owned them often share personal stories with me about their experiences with their cars. That is what I try to evoke with my work – a sense of happiness and familiarity that can make a person smile.