Alexandria Artist Adds Signature Flair to New Hollin Hall Butchery
Fifty-foot mural evokes living in Virginia
Alexandria, VA – You’ve likely seen Patrick Kirwin’s murals around town. He’s the artist who brought us the Dogs of Del Ray above Pat Miller Square in Del Ray, and George Washington peering out an alley window at Union Street Pub in Old Town, just to name a few.
Kirwin’s latest mural graces the long 50-foot wall inside The Cut Butchery in the Hollin Hall Shopping Center in Alexandria. Alex Kilroy, owner of The Cut (due to open late January/early February), reached out to Kirwin to make a mural inside the store. “I didn’t want knives and animals for the decor,” said Kilroy. “I wanted a happy life scene.”
Kilroy and Kirwin immediately hit it off. They brainstormed the project for an hour or two, and developed a mutual trust and respect, critical elements in the success of any project.
The process became collaborative as the two men shared ideas and reviewed Kirwin’s previous work. Kilroy loved Kirwin’s black and white drawing of Yosemite, reminiscent of Ansel Adams’s photography. And that became a starting point.
Kirwin said, “It was a collaboration where his part was to leave me alone (not everyone does that).” Kilroy said, “Patrick is a master at what he does. I had some ideas, but once I saw the direction he was taking, I said, yes! Keep going.”
Kirwin’s concept and design catches the viewer’s eye and directs traffic down into the store. As you walk down the ramp, the mural unfolds along the way.
You may think you’re driving down I-81 when looking at the mural. Rolling hillsides, farms, and houses dot the landscape, with billowing clouds above. The four seasons are represented, and Kirwin included Kilroy’s two young children in the artwork as well. Kilroy said, “They remind me why I’m doing this every day.”
There are more touches and elements that Kirwin will add to the mural. While shoppers are in the store, browsing the goods, or waiting for their orders, they’re bound to see a little something new every time.
The long-awaited butchery will be opening in a few weeks. Kilroy is dedicated to sourcing local, high-quality goods and partners, such as Kirwin, and he has big plans for the future. Stay tuned to The Zebra for more information on this exciting new small business opening soon in Alexandria.
To see more of Kirwin’s work, visit his website: https://patrickkirwin.com/
For more information on The Cut Butchery, follow them on Instagram: @thecutbutchery