Friday Faves: Map It Out

Posted on August 5, 2011

My husband and I look at a lot of maps. For the next several years, we’re moving to a new locale every three months, plus we spend weekends exploring the areas surrounding wherever we happen to be living. Oh, and there are also all the future travel plans. Like maybe a stint in Thailand in 2013. ( I KNOW!.. so exciting!! ). We use whatever maps we can get our hands on.. Google maps online at home, GPS in the car and of course, our good ol’ reliable atlas. Currently, we’re pouring over maps as we anxiously await the locale of G’s next work assignment. A month from now I will be typing the Friday Faves from a whole new setting, crazy isn’t it?!

Turns out we aren’t the only ones inspired by maps. Check out some of my favorite artists who incorporate these geographic illustrations into their own artwork. Happy travels!

Richardson, mixed media, 5×5

Navigate ( detail ) by Amy Rice

Drifter’s Atlas No. 2 by Dolan Geiman

Fear Hope Oblivion by Francesca Berrini

A Good Mess by Wyanne Thompson

How about it, Artsies? Anyone mapping out adventures for the weekend? Have a maptastic artist to share? Do tell!

1. Rachel Ann Austin

2. Amy Rice ( Featured image is Tandem by Amy Rice )

3. Dolan Geiman

4. Francesca Berrini, more of her map artwork can be found at G. Gibson Gallery, here.

5. Wyanne Thompson

Amy Rice art Artists collage Dolan Geiman Francesca Berrini maps mixed media Rachel Ann Austin travel Wyanne Thompson

Lesley

Painter, art and artist consultant, traveler, discoverer-- Lesley Frenz blogs and paints her way throughout the West Coast and Northwest, sharing the work she finds significant and meaningful. All while highly caffeinated.

Jill K. Berry

August 6, 2011 at 12:28 AM

Someone just led me over here, because I happen to be an arty cartophile. In fact, I just wrote a book for people like us, due in November.
http://www.amazon.com/Personal-Geographies-Explorations-Mixed-Media-Mapmaking/dp/144030856X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1312604719&sr=8-1

Will come back and read about your adventures, it is hard to imagine moving as much as you say you do, but look forward to reading about it!

Lesley
August 6, 2011 at 12:49 PM
Hi Jill! I’m thrilled you stopped by! One of my readers recommended I check out your book– going to put it on my Amazon wish list. I’ll also add a link to the book at the bottom of the post. It is definitely a crazy life we lead, but it is like being on vacation all the time!

Cheers!
Lesley

Jill K. Berry
August 7, 2011 at 7:15 PM
Thanks Lesley! I will be hanging out here for stories.

Do you know Peter and Donna Thomas? They are book artists that just finished a ramble around the US (a year or so?) in a gypsy wagon that they built. When my kids are out on their own I am headed out to follow your example.

Lesley
August 7, 2011 at 8:06 PM
I’m not familiar with the Thomases but will be checking them out! What they did sounds like even more fun that what we’re doing. 🙂