Original Illustrations for Bearings

Illustrations
2012 – 2015

From the Whiskey Family Tree to the anatomy of a Sailboat, from the instruments of Bluegrass music to the cuts of pork and beef, these letterpress and silk-screen prints feature hand-drawn, illustrated infographics created for men’s publication Bearings Guide.

"We drove through pinewoods heavy with lichen and Spanish moss, and between the fallow cotton fields along a road white as the rim of the world. We parked under the broken shadow of a mill where there was the sound of running water and restive sqawky birds and over everything a brightness that tried to filter in anywhere. The South sang to us – I wonder if they remember. I remember – the cool pale faces, the somnolent amorous eyes and the voices: 'Are you comfortable?' 'Yes, are you?' 'Are you sure you are?' 'Yes.' Suddenly we knew it was late and there was nothing more. We turned home."

— F. Scott Fitzgerald, "The Last of the Belles" from "All the Sad Young Men"

Whiskey Family Tree Letterpress

Letterpress print of the Whiskey Family Tree
Whiskey banner wraps around the base of the family tree
The tree branches show the different types of bourbon and scotch
The whiskey family tree metal letterpress plate
The letterpress print is framed and sitting next to a vintage camera and typewriter

Hand-Printed and Washed Bandanas

In Winter 2018, we revived the original illustration and design of the Whiskey Family Tree for a special, handmade bandana. Special thanks to One Feather Press for the quality production.

Illustrated family tree of types of whiskey bourbon and scotch printed on a fabric bandana
The Whiskey Family tree diagram printed on a navy bandana
Navy bandana with pink bleached illustration and a glass of whiskey on top

The Sailboat Letterpress

The Sailboat letterpress fine art print
A letterpress worker prepares the paper and metal plate
Rolling paper over the Sailboat diagram letterpress plate on a press
A letterpress print of a Sailboat diagram on a bookshelf

Venomous Snakes of the South Letterpress

Metal letterpress plate of snakes diagram
Diagram of types of Southern snakes

The Bowtie Letterpress

Step by step instructional drawing of how to draw a bow tie
Bow tie diagram letterpress print

Pork Chart Letterpress

Pork Chart diagram drawing of a pig showing pork cuts
Letterpressing a pork cuts diagram on press with a metal plate

Beef Chart Letterpress

Beef Chart diagram drawing of a cow showing beef cuts
Letterpress plate of a beef chart

Bluegrass Instruments Letterpress

Letterpress print of bluegrass instruments: a banjo, bass, fiddle, resonator, harmonica, acoustic and mandolin
Drawings of blue grass stringed instruments and a harmonica

American Bison Letterpress

Drawing of a Bison letterpressed in brown ink on a white paper
Pen and ink detailed drawing of a Bison

Pork Chart Screen Print

Two versions: one in Brown, one in Navy.

Brown screen print diagram of different cuts of pork

Beef Chart Screen Print

Two versions: one in Brown, one in Navy.

Brown screen print diagram of different cuts of beef

Illustrated Infographics

Bearings regularly featured illustrated infographics in its email newsletter and on its website. While some of these infographics are turned into prints for the Bearings Print Shop, others existed only as digital features. Here are a few of my favorites from over the years.

Illustrated infographic of sunglasses styles
Diagrams of types of poisonous plants like ivy and sumac
Pen and ink hand drawn illustrations of shoe styles for men
Illustrated step by step guide to shining your shoes
Illustrations of different hat styles for men
How to make different coffee and espresso drinks infographic

Credits

Client
Bearings

Illustrator, Designer
Russell Shaw

All letterpress products were produced in Atlanta, GA by Amanda Clarno of Alee & Press.

Hand-printed bandanas by One Feather Press.

All press and product photography courtesy of Andrew Thomas Lee.

Awards

2014 The Communicator Awards Silver Award of Distinction in Websites: Visual Appeal.

2013 Creativity International AwardsCreativity 43rd Print & Packaging Awards. Platinum Award – Illustration.

2013 American Graphic Design Award (GDUSA, New York)

AIGA Portfolio Gallery Feature

In Print

GDUSA‘s 2013 American Graphic Design Awards Annual (GDUSA, December 2013) 

Online Press and Recognition

Russell Shaw: A Gentleman’s Illustrated Guide (Fox & Brie)

Loom

Collection

Bravo Golf

Branding

Lunch Adventure

Illustration, Web