He calls it “Re-directed art.” I call it genius. David Irvine takes unwanted paintings from thrift stores and sidewalk sales (and garbage cans) and adds a little something. Storm troopers, the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man, Sasquach, characters from “Where the Wild Things Are” and more make appearances in these witty, fabulous re-imagined paintings. He is so talented that he can switch up styles to make it feel like his additions are part of the original paintings. It’s really remarkable stuff!

We were in New England earlier this week, and on our drive home, we stopped at one of my favorite places, the New Bedford Antique Center. I’ve been going to this place whenever I was in the area for three decades, and quite a few of our smaller antiques were purchased there. We scored some great stuff this time, too. But this trip, in addition to hunting for my favorite things, I entertained myself by looking at the nondescript landscape paintings which abound in places like this and imagining what bizarre characters would fit into them.

Anyway, back to David. Some of his work is meant to be thought-provoking, some funny, and some scary (in a witty way). His website is a great place for explanations of his work, but the best place to see the pieces up close is his Flickr account. I think you’re going to enjoy them. I certainly did!