I’m Here
Posted by Troy | Filed under Self Project
I’m lucky enough to have never suffered from chronic depression.
But it does sneak up on me from time to time.
Every once in a while I’d just as soon stay in bed and am lucky that my office is a mere 3 feet away or I’d never make it.
Today is one of those days.
Tags: depression, Faith, original illustration, self
The Real Tragedy of the World Trade Center
Posted by Troy | Filed under Culture, Faith, Thoughts
Illustration by Troy DeSahno
Sometimes even a poorly delivered message is still one worth hearing, and I wonder if the the saddest thing about the whole tragedy is that we didn’t get the message.
We like to think of ours as a nation made strong through the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness, but in reality we’re strong because of our unscathed ability to exploit, oppress, capitalize and conquer—all the while repressing any hint of remorse that might ever creep in (which I’m sure is slowly creating a collective psychological condition that will catch up with us when our nation hits mid-life). Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: 911, Faith, Islam, nationalism, New York, original illustration
If You Don’t Have It, Borrow It
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith
Illustration by Troy DeShano
I was listening to Rob Bell speak today and I heard him say “If you don’t have it, borrow it from someone who does.”
So what are you lacking today?
hope? peace? guts? positivity? gumption? ideas? energy? vision? will power? patience? gratitude? perspective? compassion?
or maybe you just need a hand…
Find someone who’s got it and borrow.
Even if it is just standing next to her for a few minutes… you should be able to borrow enough in that time to get you through the day, and eventually you’ll get a great chance to loan some of whatever it is that you do have to someone else who needs it.
Tags: Faith, original illustration, rob bell
Osama bin Laden
Posted by Troy | Filed under Culture, News
Illustration by Troy DeShano
“Osama’s parents divorced soon after he was born; Osama’s mother then married Mohammed al-Attas. The couple had four children, and Osama lived in the new household with three half-brothers and one half-sister.”
“Mohammed bin Laden (his father) was killed in an airplane crash when his American pilot misjudged a landing.”
“Osama believed that only the restoration of what he believed to be true religion would ‘set things right,’ and that alternatives such as —’..socialism and communism..’—must be opposed.”
“He also called on Americans to ‘reject the immoral acts of fornication (and) homosexuality, intoxicants, gambling, and usury,’”
Tags: current events, Faith, fundamentalism, Islam, politics, strong odors
Freakiest Puritan Ever
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, TV
I just started watching God in America, a PBS Frontline documentary mini-series that’s been airing all week.
That guy who played Ben Linus on Lost is Puritan leader John Winthrop.
Freakiest Puritan ever!
This shot is actually from a really interesting scene about the trial of the colony’s rabble-rousing woman Anne Hutchinson, who was eventually banished for openly sharing her personal theology.
I’m looking forward to watching the rest of the series online.
Tags: Faith, pbs, religion, tv
White Jesus Loves You
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Thoughts
Over the last 600 years, Jesus’s skin has grown fairer and fairer.
(I can’t be 100% certain, but I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have that Michael Jackson thing)
Today it’s pretty rare to see anyone’s vision of Jesus that doesn’t look like he’s originally from Wisconsin.
I’ve always wanted to make a serious mock-umentary (is that an oxymoron?) about Jesus and his humanity.
I’m working on a client project now that has at it’s center a mission to create a dialogue around racism and its effects in order that the conversation (especially the listening) might lead to understanding for some and healing for others.
In the midst of it I’m wondering how “White Jesus” has affected those of non-Caucasian decent.
How has it affected you?
Odorifous: Susan Isaacs
Posted by Troy | Filed under Books, Odorifous
I grew up in a particular Christian culture where it was considered sin to be angry with God. We also had no framework for Christian living that recognized sin as a part of our lives.
“Just stop sinning!” was the underlying theme. (well, that and “culture is evil”).
I don’t know if Susan Isaacs came up the provocative title for her book Angry Conversations with God: A Snarky but Authentic Spiritual Memoir
I remember seeing an ad when the book first released and thought, “I must read that book.” It took me a couple years to finally get to it, but I’m glad I did.
The perspective is unavoidably female, which might make the book seem un-relatable for some guys (not everyone is as sensitive as me), but her struggles are universal. She battles self-worth and identity; faith and doubt; relationships and honesty; and ultimately her view of God.
I especially related to Susan’s struggles to find herself in her art. She was always so compelled to fulfill her calling and find real meaning in touching the lives of those that encountered her work along the way.
(and of course she’s totally honest about her desires to be successful too – something I have a hard time with sometimes)
Even though I’d already had plans to read her book, I was especially interested in touching base with her about this interview when I saw that her acting career had landed her on some of my all-time favorite shows like Parks and Rec, Family Ties, My Name is Earl, Quantum Leap (!), Fresh Prince and movies like Planes, Trains and Automobiles (the one John Hughes classic that I unfortunately had to leave out of my recent JH poster series because I ran out of time).
When I saw she was also in one of my favorite eposodes of Seinfeld (the one with Jean-Paul and George taking the reps from Texas out on the town) I flipped.
Honestly though, it has been her writing that moved me the most. She is so honest and has come so far and so many women share her struggles with heartache and frustration and loneliness and impossible expectations that I must insist every woman I know read this book.
Read the rest of this entry »
John Mark McMillan: The Medicine
Posted by Troy | Filed under Faith, Music
I used to work as the Media Director for a Christian non-profit organization. I created a lot of promotional and event videos and one of my most passionate responsibilities was finding appropriate soundtrack music to use… easy enough you’d think.
The one caveat is that the director required me to use “Christian” music.
You can imagine how hard that is.
For one thing it begs the question “what makes a song ‘Christian?’”
That’s a tough question and probably one that shouldn’t even be asked…
I believe that when humans create they are acting in the form of the Creator God in whose image we are made.
I believe that all truth belongs to God.
So when human beings create and those creations speak truth to me the listener/watcher/taster, then I am compelled to worship on some level.
Tags: Faith, john mark mcmillan, Music
I Went to Bob Jones University
Posted by Troy | Filed under Self Project
Most people are surprised when they find out I attended Bob Jones University.
“Why?” “Yeah, right,” or “What the heck were you thinking?” are pretty standard responses.
I was thinking it was God’s will for me to attend BJU.
Seriously.
Tags: Faith, original illustration, self
Odorifous: TJ Walsh
Posted by Troy | Filed under Odorifous
This is the first of Odorifous (ó · der · í · fuss) another new ongoing series at Strong Odors. Each week I’ll be posting an interview with an artist, illustrator, musician, explorer or some other type of person from a variety of interests/backgrounds that I find interesting in some way. Each individual will answer the same set of questions and I really look forward to seeing each person’s unique answers.
TJ Walsh is a Philadelphia designer who does most of his professional work for non-profit organizations. I discovered him on Twitter while searching for “art” and “faith” one day. His work stood out immediately. I love how his personal work in particular represents his faith and/or spiritual emotion without becoming religious/cliche/obvious.
I really appreciate his candor in the interview and I’m happy to kick this series off with his responses.
Read the rest of this entry »
