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2021 And 2022 Aren’t All Bad News, And I Share Some Good News To Tip The Balance (30 New Pics)
Before the pandemic started and bad news took over the headlines, I started an experiment. I wanted to draw the news. Mainly because I like to draw in multiple styles - and news are always different - but also out of passion for editorial illustration. So I created an Instagram page where I illustrate stories that, for some reason, cannot be photographed. Science findings, landmark events or weird news that could easily get lost in our feed without some compelling image below their headlines.
When Covid came knocking, I focused on positive pieces. I illustrated good news on a weekly basis, covering stories from more than 25 countries and 2 planets. A completely unnecessary endeavor, but how does life look with just the necessary?
It's called @unnewscessary - a gallery with 100+ artworks that document what went well in the past 2 years. Scroll below to see 30 of them and follow the project to experience news differently.
More info: Instagram | Instagram
This post may include affiliate links.
I started it in October 2019, when no one could've predicted what was about to come. The fact that a pandemic is followed by a war seems absurd to me. I'll definitely illustrate the good news emerging from the conflict, but it's a thin line to walk on. There's a huge amount of fake news and disinformation and what seems like a perfect subject now can be discredited tomorrow. Moreover, stories about people killing people for whatever reason cannot be qualified as good news. There's a tight filter to be applied on.
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#2
Final score:
157points
Norah Reilly 2 years ago
Oh yes! Nature heals and soothes AND reminds us of our place in the fabric of existence.
If nothing breaking comes out this week, the next post will probably be a science story. Something super-colorful. I'm keeping tabs on the war but people need to see other stuff as well. If the following base grows enough, I want to turn Unnewscessary into a collaborative project. Meaning I will invite illustrators from around the world to draw new artworks. That's one of the reasons I chose to illustrate in multiple styles - so they'd feel free to add their vision.
#4
Final score:
150points
#5
Final score:
147points
Wolf Sparks 2 years ago
My new full time job is four days a week (from 9:00 am-5:30 pm), and I can honestly say that the extra day off is a game changer! The company operates in Ireland, where a 5 day week is still the standard, but my boss actually care about the mental health of his staff and he can see that people are more motivated in the workplace when they can look forward to and extra day off. Plus, the job gets done anyway and with less stress!
I think nowadays I draw more from imagination and the ideation process got a bit faster. I'm also more confident on final artworks and I rarely ask for feedback before posting. I don't know if that's a good thing, though.
The drive to illustrate a worthy story stayed the same. Last year I was thinking of calling it quits after completing 100 artworks because the IG algorithms favor video content, and the page reach plummeted. But the thought that I'd read a good story and I won't be able to turn it into a visual piece was scary. I'm hooked, I guess.
As for myself, I feel good. I renovated my house and now I hope it won't get nuked. Work is piling up these days so I swing between client projects and Unnewscessary. Hopefully, I won't get bored.
#6
Final score:
146points
Jo Choto 2 years ago
I have been doing this. I have had phone calls and emails and personal messages from many of the people involved. Last night I got a call from a woman in absolute tears, telling me that my contributions had allowed her to save the lives of 30 people. I was trying to downplay it because I'm just here, safe in my living room, but she was insistent, and then her daughter messaged me and told me the same thing. And they sent me pics and more stories. It has really worked. I have learned so much about the circumstances of refugees and volunteers. It's overwhelming. But it has been worth every penny. (And by the way, my donations were only 3 figures, not a massive, massive amount at all).
#7
Final score:
141points
D Stone 2 years ago
Had Malaria in Malawi twenty something years ago. In hospital for 4 days. Told me I almost died. Found out last year that I actually had a small stroke from the high fever. It was not diagnosed at the time. In hindsight, something that I thought was over in a few weeks caused lifelong issues that I blamed on other things. I was so lucky to walk out of the hospital with my life. I understand 100%, that it was because I was a tourist. So many are not so lucky. I am so happy to hear of a vaccine. Should have happened so many decades before now.
#8
Final score:
128points
Abigail Hill 2 years ago
I'm not really a Trump or Biden supporter at this point but this illustration is hilarious
#12
Final score:
114points
#14
Final score:
108points
#15
Final score:
100points
#16
Final score:
99points
#17
Final score:
91points
Tamra Stiffler 2 years ago
Who would have thought that a little feathered, hollow-boned creature could be such a bad ass? Well, besides me. I love birds.
#18
Final score:
87points
Tamra Stiffler 2 years ago
I'm torn between thinking this is a good thing, and being disappointed that it's even needed
#19
Final score:
85points
Thomas Sweda 2 years ago
Now they have to figure out how to get the machine to the next typhoon, while it’s still typhooning !
#25
Final score:
61points
#29
Final score:
45points
Add New Image
What do you think ?
Vicky Zar 2 years ago
Anyone remember all the bad news coming in about giant hornets, corona and I forgot what else? It just hit me that the bad news have not stoppt and we may face a WWIII.... I'm really getting end of the world vibes here.
karl briggs 2 years ago
Vicky, don't let these things get you down. We're all in it together.
Load More Replies...
NamiKoa 2 years ago
These were beautifully done - and the good news and interesting factoids were the icing on the cake. Thank you, happy posts are so helpful these days.
ICS D (Post author) 2 years ago
thanks, there's more to come. on a weekly basis (sort of)
Load More Replies...
Kristin Ingersoll 2 years ago
The fact that we need someone to translate the fonts, and that some of these are disturbing (not positive or wholesome) made this is really strange post. Yuck.
ICS D (Post author) 2 years ago
Kristin, I'll let you know when I'll need an editor
Load More Replies...
Hedgielover98 2 years ago
I'd love to see one post here that doesn't include your Trump Derangement Syndrome or Anti American propaganda
Marnie 2 years ago
Yeah, heaving forbid that people get worked up over a guy who claims to sexually assault women, fires top-level diplomats over tweets, ignores the constitution and democratic principals, lies more than any other president, promotes violence against journalists, promotes punishing the family members of transgressors, wants loyalty to him over loyalty to the country, refuses to relinquish financial holdings that made him have conflicts of interest in his decisions as a president (such as investments in Dakota Access Pipeline), using his power to punish states that had governors he didn't like, cozied up to Putin - one of America's biggest active enemies, ignored the advice of experts wrt COVID, and was involved in an insurrection against the government in 2020.
Load More Replies...
Vicky Zar 2 years ago
Anyone remember all the bad news coming in about giant hornets, corona and I forgot what else? It just hit me that the bad news have not stoppt and we may face a WWIII.... I'm really getting end of the world vibes here.
karl briggs 2 years ago
Vicky, don't let these things get you down. We're all in it together.
Load More Replies... NamiKoa 2 years ago
These were beautifully done - and the good news and interesting factoids were the icing on the cake. Thank you, happy posts are so helpful these days.
ICS D (Post author) 2 years ago
thanks, there's more to come. on a weekly basis (sort of)
Load More Replies... Kristin Ingersoll 2 years ago
The fact that we need someone to translate the fonts, and that some of these are disturbing (not positive or wholesome) made this is really strange post. Yuck.
ICS D (Post author) 2 years ago
Kristin, I'll let you know when I'll need an editor
Load More Replies... Hedgielover98 2 years ago
I'd love to see one post here that doesn't include your Trump Derangement Syndrome or Anti American propaganda
Marnie 2 years ago
Yeah, heaving forbid that people get worked up over a guy who claims to sexually assault women, fires top-level diplomats over tweets, ignores the constitution and democratic principals, lies more than any other president, promotes violence against journalists, promotes punishing the family members of transgressors, wants loyalty to him over loyalty to the country, refuses to relinquish financial holdings that made him have conflicts of interest in his decisions as a president (such as investments in Dakota Access Pipeline), using his power to punish states that had governors he didn't like, cozied up to Putin - one of America's biggest active enemies, ignored the advice of experts wrt COVID, and was involved in an insurrection against the government in 2020.
Load More Replies... You May Like 50 People Who Wanted A Cool Tattoo But Ended Up With A Permanent Mistake Some Of The Most Incredible Chest Tattoo Ideas If You're All In For Some Ink
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