Independence artist gives modern twist to ancient Celtic art form

by Erica Peterson

When Kevin Drummond was in high school, he was fascinated by pictures from the Book of Kells he saw in some books around the house.

The illuminated manuscript of the Gospels, believed to have been created in the year 800, is considered a masterwork of calligraphy. Many of its colorful, elaborate images include Celtic knots and other interlacing patterns, and that intricate knot work grabbed Drummond’s attention.

“What impressed me the most was seeing how each piece would go under and over each other, how a pattern would emerge,” he said. “And how they would get the corners to match, to create a corner that would be a part of the weave itself.”

Drummond began experimenting with Celtic knots in his high school art classes, teaching himself to draw the never-ending patterns at the heart of his deep Irish roots.

He was the first of his parents’ six children to be born in the United States, not Dublin. His artistic bent also differentiated him from his siblings.

“My brothers and sisters are all technically-minded. They became professors, engineers and doctors,” he said. “I didn’t have those same skills. But I learned what I could do well is art.”

He certainly could. He graduated from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where he made the dean’s list and met his wife, Carol. The two were married in 1989 and in 2005 moved to Independence, where Carol grew up.

Drummond had a successful career as a technical illustrator. But his first artistic love never left him.

About five years ago, he began working with Celtic knots again in his spare time, creating patterns and borders digitally using non-traditional colors.

“I used the same patterns, but in a more bright, crisp and modern way,” he said.

Drummond decided to draw his surname framed by one of his borders and present it to his father as a gift.

His father loved it, as did others in the Drummond family, and requests started pouring in for more.

Thus, Kevin’s Irish Art was born. Drummond and Carol, who is also president of Drummond Design, run both businesses out of their Timberlane Drive home.

They started with 10 Irish and Celtic-based surnames and some Irish greetings, including Failte (welcome) and Slainte (good health to you). Their inventory has ballooned to 400 names, 20 Irish locations and several greetings, cards and original creations. They also take requests.

“No two are alike,” Carol said. “Each name has its own combination of patterns and colors, and they reflect the modern Celtic style he developed.”

Drummond said people are often surprised to learn he does his work with a computer mouse rather than a drawing program or pen and paper. He said it gives him more flexibility, with an ability to edit his work quickly or adjust the color.

“It’s often difficult to change your mind when drawing by hand,” he said. “I love the freedom the computer gives me to make a change. It also helps me achieve something with a more modern look to it.”

The pieces are available to purchase online, at Irish stores and galleries throughout the area, as well as at art shows and festivals. The couple had to purchase a trailer to carry artwork to shows when their inventory outgrew their Subaru, Drummond said.

Carol said the two of them are constantly taking pictures of interesting patterns they encounter, so Drummond can incorporate them into their work.

He received a lot of inspiration when he saw the genuine Book of Kells under glass at a museum in Dublin when his family traveled to Ireland in 2014 to celebrate their daughter Niya’s graduation from Independence High School.

“There is nothing like seeing it firsthand,” he said.

In addition to visiting family, the Drummonds visited Newgrange, an ancient burial ground in Ireland that is older than the Egyptian pyramids. The burial mounds include stones with elaborate patterns and designs carved into them.

With no shortage of inspiration, Drummond said the process remains fresh.

“I really enjoy the work, which is big plus,” he said. “When a request comes in, it’s not, ‘Oh, no, not another name!’ It’s, ‘I can do something I’ve never done before.’”

To see Drummond’s artwork, visit kevinsirishart.com.

Featured image photo caption: Carol and Kevin Drummond’s Independence home is where Kevin creates original artwork that embraces his Irish heritage and puts a contemporary spin on traditional Celtic designs. Photo by E. Peterson