Enduring Cancer With Art

Jan. 11, 2015

Using scrap lumber and discarded cans of paint, Traverse City artist Troy DeShano creates inventive mixed media works that encourage viewers to see the beauty in items often cast aside.

"My work is a cross between pop art and folk art," he explains. "I like clean lines, eliminating as much as possible to let the beauty of old lumber or plywood show through. I love the idea of doing as little as possible to let the work speak."

Perhaps DeShano’s focus on redeeming what seems lost is born from the fact that he has been battling cancer off and on for more than a decade. He understands that items – and people – that have been battered and stressed often possess a certain elegance.

"I was diagnosed with cancer at 21 and a couple more times since then," DeShano says.

"My family has endured great trials and, even though each one leaves us somewhat more battered, there is beauty to be found in our story. It seems as though the stories found in every "˜fl aw’ in these pieces is a big reason why individuals feel connected to my work."

DeShano grew up in Midland and, after a few moves, landed in Traverse City in 2004. In addition to his mixed media and paintings, he’s also done illustrations, designing posters for a number of local events.

HOW I GOT STARTED

About a decade ago, I started doing digital work as media director for a local nonprofit. What began as video production quickly turned to graphic design, then motion graphics, web design and illustration. During that same time, I started my blog "Strong Odors" and creating editorial illustrations to accompany my writing. Readers began requesting copies for their walls so, with the help of an artist friend, I began doing limited edition giclee prints of my illustrations. Since then, for a variety of reasons, I’ve moved from digital prints to incorporating my illustration style into mixed media paintings using found materials.

THE STORY BEHIND MY ART, MY INSPIRATION

I use what is essentially garbage in all my paintings. I collect scrap lumber from trash heaps and disintegrated barns and my paint from "˜free’ piles at the end of neighbors’ driveways. I love the redemptive story implicit in this type of work. I try to do as little as possible to bring out the natural beauty and character that’s developed over the lifetime of these materials.

WORK I’M MOST PROUD OF

I am really proud of my most recent figure art series. It seems like I am coming of age as an artist and my fingerprints are becoming more apparent in each piece. So when others see one of my paintings, they recognize me.

YOU WON’T BELIEVE

I have a bachelor’s degree in Bible/theology. I grew up in a very strict, pious, religious world where the only really honorable career was ministry work. Art was never considered a "˜ministry,’ or even "˜work,’ so obviously it wasn’t until I was much older before I found the freedom to pursue it as either.

MY FAVORITE ARTIST

My favorite artists are probably musicians. I’m kind of obsessed with music, actually. As much as visual artists like Picasso or Matisse have influenced my work, I’m equally infected by Bob Dylan, The Flaming Lips and Radiohead, among others.

ADVICE FOR ASPIRING ARTISTS

The truth is, it’s only been one or two people in history who credit success to a panel of judges. For any of the rest, the recipe has been the same: work tirelessly every day doing that weird thing you love. Abbey Road wasn’t created in any thanks to America’s voting and Nirvana didn’t change our cultural landscape with a singing competition. They just got together and played awful music in the garage until it was less awful. You just keep creating because you simply can’t help it, and work hard to find anywhere to show it off.

MY WORK CAN BE SEEN/PURCHASED

My physical artwork is in transition right now as I wrap up my most recent exhibit at The Box in Traverse City. My website www. strongodors.com has illustrations and fine art work.