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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

#1

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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Dan
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Finally. Pets deserve to be treated like children( in the sense they are family)

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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.

#2

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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Norah Reilly
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh yes! Nature heals and soothes AND reminds us of our place in the fabric of existence.

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#3

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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Bill
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All those bootleg windows copies really help Anonamous

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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.

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#5

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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Wolf Sparks
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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!

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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

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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Jo Choto
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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).

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#7

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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D Stone
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

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#8

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Abigail Hill
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm not really a Trump or Biden supporter at this point but this illustration is hilarious

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#9

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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LOttawa
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A motel is being used where I live to house homeless people and re-integrate them into society.

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#11

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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J. F.
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Encouraging heroes is one of the more wonderful things the internet can do

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#17

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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Tamra Stiffler
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Who would have thought that a little feathered, hollow-boned creature could be such a bad ass? Well, besides me. I love birds.

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#18

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Tamra Stiffler
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm torn between thinking this is a good thing, and being disappointed that it's even needed

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#19

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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Thomas Sweda
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now they have to figure out how to get the machine to the next typhoon, while it’s still typhooning !

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#20

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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#21

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eve
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because you can't see their whole face or what? 😂

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Kristin Ingersoll
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because you can immediately tell that they are intelligent and have empathy. Those are incredible attractive qualities.

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Magoomba
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I wear a beard for the same reason. The less you see the better I look.

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CelticElff
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I love the fogged up glasses. Good attention to detail!

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Leslie Burleson
Community Member
2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Look, men already get beards . Us more mature ladies need the mask to hide neck chins .

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PADNA
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's wearing it wrong! Glasses should be on the outside! Squeeze metal on the nose - no more fogging! Signed, a 4 eyed person who was stuck with a mask for 2.5 years straight (yes, even even late parts of 2022)

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Tunk
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Yeah unfortunately the majority of people where I live don't wear masks anymore but really did go on and on and on in an over the top way for months about vaccinations. Which is fine. But I do not understand their cavalier attitudes and lack of concern now regarding wearing masks. Especially as the efficacy of vaccinations is declining and we are approaching winter. The numbers in my area are a thousand a day at the moment. And that is from those that report because thats not a requirement either. Prior to this our numbers were extremely low. Like 10 to 30 a day in the worst periods. A suburb in Australia and not that far from Sydney.

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#22

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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Auntriarch
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Might have to stop using HRT if heating prices go up any more

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#23

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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TeaDude
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2 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This would be very welcome, but a source for this factoid would be equally welcomed

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For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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#30

For The Past Two Years I Illustrated The Good News That Cannot Be Photographed. Here's 30 Of Them.

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Izzy Curer
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2 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

They seal stuff in packages that contain Co2, which suffocates the bacteria

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Note: this post originally had 45 images. It’s been shortened to the top 30 images based on user votes.