Norman Rockwell Remix
Re-created this classic Norman Rockwell illustration for a post inspired by an Old Testament proverb and a Tim Keller lecture.
The End of Joy is Grief
Summer Odors 2011
Here are a handful of illustrations that I’ve done for Strong Odors this summer. If you’re not following the blog then you’re totally missing out man! I’d recommend following on Facebook and Twitter for the full effect. It’s like 3D for your face!
Despite summer business trying to keep the walls from being empty at my Right Brain exhibit, I’ve had a few moments here and there to do some quick (but pretty cool) illustrations. Check out Changel (above) and the stories behind each of these illustrations on Strong Odors. (more…)
Open Skies Magazine Illustrations
Last summer I created a set of posters for the Traverse City Film Festival commemorating nine of John Hughes most iconic films. This month a couple of those illustrations were picked up by Open Skies magazine – a Motivate Publishing print magazine that serves as the in-flight mag for Emirates Airlines.
Another New Print: Pyramid Point
Here’s another piece inspired by life in northwest Michigan. This one started a little rocky in early drafts but I’m really happy with how it turned out. I think it’s a lovely print perfect for anyone who loves the Great Lakes or sunsets or pipes or peace or peace pipes. Check it out in my shop.
11″ x 17″ giclee limited edition set of 13.
New Print: Lots of Crows
My favorite suggestion to yesterday’s query “what should I draw today?” was Kelly’s “lots of crows.”
I got quite a few ideas from folks on Facebook and Twitter… including several who suggested a “May 21 Rapture” theme.. and some concepts that were so specific I couldn’t help but think “why don’t you just make that yourself?” Check out a few from the list:
- Avett Brothers “Murder in the City”
- A Wiener Dog
- Mother Theresa
- Tribute to the late Macho Man Randy Savage
- A little girl smelling a flower and from the flower comes out a rainbow that ends in the mountains (almost did this b/c it was just so weird)
- “Honest Abe” Lincoln with a halo
- What you see when you hear Shostakovich, Symphony No. 5
- Memories from Saved by the Bell (I’m sure I’ll do this eventually)
- Cheeseburgers
- a bird that learned it can fly underwater and the discovery it made
- a spiral coming undone
- a man turning into a city
- a fish
- leather pants
I loved the design so much that I’ve decided to make it available in the shop. Only 11 will be printed—the first of which will go to Kelly for making such a great suggestion.
Congrats Kelly!
You can get this in the shop now for a few bucks (and it’s a 5×7 so finding a cheap frame will be easy for you.)
Skywalker: Free Star Wars inspired Wallpaper
Here is a new free wallpaper for your desktop, iPhone, iPad, etc. I think it will look especially cool on those new storm-trooper-esque white iPhones.
I woke up yesterday to discover that it was “Star Wars Day.” Nerds everywhere were saying “may the 4th be with you.” Which is kind of fun, so I figured I’d join in and posted this illustration on Strong Odors. It was so popular that I decided I might as well make it available as a mainstay for your favorite displays.
Enjoy!
320×480 (older iPhone), 640×960 (iPhone4 & later), iPad, 1280×1024, 1680×1050, 1920×1080, 1920×1200, 2560×1440
New in the Shop: Smoking the Gun
Just added one of my favorite prints to my shop. Smoking the Gun is part of an illustration series I started in 2010 about my travels around Michigan’s upper peninsula.
This print is an 18″ x 25.5″ giclee printed on Elegance fine art paper. The run is very small – a limited edition of 13 signed prints – so get one while you can.
Visit the shop to check out some detail images.
New Illustrations
Here are a few of my personal favorite illustrations that I’ve done over the past few months.
Dream
In honor of MLK Day – available in the shop
(more…)
Layer Tennis
This is my favorite “volley” from my Layer Tennis match with Andrew Baumgartner yesterday.
It was a ton of fun and much more of an adrenaline rush than I expected. Fifteen minutes is not a lot of time to develop and execute an idea… needless to say, I was perspiring profusely. (more…)
5k Race Event Logo & T-shirt
I put together this design as a “logo” for a 5k sponsored by a local Traverse City church. As in past projects I did my best to incorporate the West Side compass rose into the design.
Minimalist John Hughes Tribute Posters
I created a set of posters for this year’s Traverse City Film Festival. The non-profit festival was started by Michael Moore along with a few other film arts supporters six years ago and has grown exponentially since then thanks to a lovely Lake Michigan setting and thriving Traverse City art community.
This year the Traverse City Film Festival posthumously honored John Hughes with their equivalent of a Lifetime Achievement Award.
When I discovered it was for his movies that I’d be designing posters I totally flipped. It would be tough to find any body of pop-culture work I’d be as excited about.
My goal for each poster was to make it as iconic as the film itself. So much so that I wouldn’t even have to put the title on there.
I decided that might be a little bit of a stretch, so I did include the title at the bottom of each, but see if you can guess the movie without looking… and let me know which is your favorite.
These posters are now available as limited edition art prints. Only 10 of each, so get one before they’re gone!
Don’t forget!
- Follow me on Twitter
- Become a Fan on Facebook
- Check my blog Strong Odors for regular editorial writing and illustration
New Illustration Portfolio Site
Since I started this site in 2008, it’s always included samples of all the different types of work that I do. I enjoy creating websites for non-profits, designing print pieces like brochures, and the motion/video work that got me into this business in the first place.
Over the past year I’ve been concentrating more and more on illustration though. It is really at the heart of most the projects I’ve done, even my video work has an “illustration” vibe to it.
The Future
Right now I’m creating a strategy to separate my illustration portfolio from the rest of my design services. I haven’t quite figured out how to organize all my offerings, but it will definitely mean at least one new website specifically for illustration.
The other site will continue to feature my identity, print and motion design that is an attractive and affordable solution for non-profits and businesses.
Until then, stay posted here for new illustrations and keep watching Strong Odors where I’m constantly writing and illustrating editorial content.
Here are a few of my favorite illustrations that will be featured on the new site.
ReadyMade Rocks SXSW Contest
My submission to the ReadyMade Magazine’s “How Does Music Inspire You?” contest has been selected to be part of their exhibit during the South by Southwest festival.
I wish I had more time to create multiple submissions. It would have definitely helped my odds (the Grand Prize winner submitted 9 different pieces to the contest).
Her Grand prize-winning entry is a good one though, so I’m happy her hard work paid off.
And I’m really proud and excited to have my work displayed where people are partying in public.
Cast a Vote for Y2K T-Shirt
This is my most recent submission to Design by Humans.
I call it Y2K
It really turned out nothing like I had planned. Once I had the original idea for a 10-year anniversary Y2K shirt, I initially thought it would be a hand-drawn type concept inspired by some of my daughter’s recent hand-lettering.
A happy little accident resulted in this overlayed lettering and a challenging new style for me personally.
If you could take a minute to cast a vote here, I would be honored.
Recent Minimalist Illustration
Here are some of my favorite illustrations from Strong Odors over the past couple months.
All are editorial in nature, and some of them are quite personal.
I like to think that each image can tell a story… even without the accompanying article.
I guess that is why I love illustration, and especially illustrating in this sort of minimalist style… the most concise storytelling you might find.
Bon Iver
From just a quick, funny thought about the differences between Bon Iver and myself.
New Blog Design for Thunderbeard
Created this new blog design (including original illustrations) for Thunderbeard and Lightning.
Tim sketched out the idea of a bearded face looking down and I took it from there.
Everybody seems to really love the hurricane beard… I love the textures…
I’m glad he finally has a site to match the quality of his writing.
Check out the new thunderbeardandlightning.com! (and contact me if you’d like a website for yourself or your small business or non-profit)
October 2009 Strong Odors Illustrations
Editorial illustrations from my blog Strong Odors. The “Feed the Kids…” illo is one of my own personal favorites.
Feed the Kids Cigarettes for Breakfast
September Illustrations on Strong Odors
A few editorial illustrations from September 2009. These are from my blog Strong Odors.
Why I Hate Weddings
Thinking About Divorce
Self-Portrait Illustration
Self-portrait illustration to accompany a recent blog post on strong odors about a difficult day dealing with cancer.
New Blog: strongodors.com
I designed and launched a new blog this past week.
The blog will feature original illustrations, photos, and writing from Troy DeShano Creative.
It also has a really cool playlist so you can listen to related music (as you read about Neko Case, for instance).
The content is about processing life. We all share experiences, we all have our own unique experiences as well… sometimes they are “good,” and sometimes “bad.” Regardless… these experiences shape us, change us, and ultimately make life alive.
Content updated daily, so check back often or subscribe via your favorite RSS reader.
