You’ve probably seen Michael Deas’ work without realizing it. In addition to his revitalization of the Columbia Pictures logo (above) Deas created the illustrations for some the most popular commemorative stamps ever released by the U.S. Postal service (James Dean, Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn and others).
His beautifully realized illustrations have been on the cover of magazines like Time and Commuincation Arts (in which he was the subject of a cover story) and he has received numerous awards from the Society of Illustrators.
He initially wanted to be a realist painter, unfortunately at a time when realism was being pronounced prematurely dead by the art establishment, and turned his attention to illustration.
He carries his admiration for traditional technique into his working method for illustration. He paints in oil on prepared wooden panels, first creating a detailed underpainting on top of which he builds his final color in glazes.
