If there’s one thing I love, it’s the pulp nour look of the 30’s, 40’s and 50’s, fueled mainly for my love of cheesy sci-fi and gangster flicks, movie posters and pulp comics. And no one captures that fun yet trippy look better than Canadian born artist Ryan Heshka, even if he puts his own surreal spins on scenes that are already strangely surreal.
Indeed, his worlds are populated by femme-fatale sirens, spaceman heroes, giant carniverous plants, gargantuan creatures and mad scientists — all throwbacks to tawdry pop culture nostalgia. Due to theses connection to past references, his scenes are both strange and strangely familiar. They transport us to a world of distortion and imagination, much like the comic books and cheesy movies that are his obvious influences. Despite the mayhem and adventure of most of his work, some scenes actually show a yearning for escapes to bucolic, Nirvana-like worlds of pleasure and harmony, as is evidenced in “Afterlife” and “Rapture.”
Born In Manitoba, Canada and raised in Winnipeg, Heshka began drawing at a young age, influenced by pulp comics and magazines, natural history and music, movies and animation. Amazingly, he is a self-taught artist formally trained in interior design. Ryan Heshka currently lives and works in Vancouver, British Columbia.
So, ladies and gentlemen, grab your ray gun and X-Ray specs, and prepare to be astounded by the pop culture art of Ryan Heshka.
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- Demon Sea Raider
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- Heat Death From The Sky
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- Sub Human
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- Doctor Stories
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- Etc.
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- Strange Powers
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- Cinelli
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- Look … Learn
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- Plastic Radio Master
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- Sorority Horror!
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- Golly
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- Hypnoto
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- Rapture
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- Brides of Science
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- Invisible Wave
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- Sleeping Garden
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- The Six
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- The Man Ray
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- Detecto
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- Power Game
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- Radio Help
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- The Green Drool
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- When You’ve Eaten Unwisely
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- Norma
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- Bog Battle
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- Afterlife
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- Amphibious Admirer
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- The Batman
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- Super Drugs
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- Woodland Rescue
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- Bride Of The Brain
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- Ryan Heshka
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- Learn To Play
Stephen Kelly Creative 
Nice Classic comic art!!! Cheer Nonoy Manga
Cheers right back at ya, Nonoy! Glad you like his work!
These are so much fun! I especially love the green drool, rapture, and brides of science!
Hi Judy! Exactly … at the bottom of his work is a real sense of fun, and that’s what I love the most about it. I just really get a kick out of that retro cheesy sci-fi look.
I see what you mean about the comic book influence; it’s really strong. All of these artists you’ve been showing us, are they owned or archived in the same museum or art gallery? What a collection, if so!
Hi Victoria … yes! Very strong comic book influence.
Actually, whereas he has had galleries of his work, I first came upon him during my time as graphic designer. In the late 90’s/early 2000’s he did a lot of illustrations for magazine and book covers, editorial spreads and some advertising. I just loved his whole look and feel; his work was featured in many design and illustration annuals at that time.
Ahhh! These are all amazing! I think I like The Man Ray and Norma the best, even though they are all awesome. And Look…Learn….aaauuugghhhh!
Hi Impybat … those are my two faves too, although I’m also partial to “Amphibious Admirer,” “Golly” and “Learn To Play.” Glad you liked his work!
Very interesting post. The art is very cool.
Yah … it has that whole cheesy retro look going on, and that’s always cool!
You made my saturday morning by introducing this artist. Thank you!
You’re welcome … glad you like his super cool work! And thanks by dropping by, too!
Amazing pop art! I like ‘The Invisible Wave’ the best of all.
Hi Madhu … me too! That’s why I used it as the featured piece for this post. I just love that whole retro feel of all of his work. Glad you like it!