MAKE MAPS

Marylebone to Wrexham by Anna Simmons

    Anna Simmons' portfolio is filled with incredibly beautiful and accurately detailed maps so it's great to have her work included in the project. At first you may think her artwork isn't strictly map-like, but let her explain...

  "It's a (sort of) map in that it's a record of the Wrexham and Shropshire (the nicest, most old-fashioned, punctual train company in the uk) journey back home to Wales. Each frame is a view from the train window as it travels north west up to Wales. It's a work in progress really as I hope to draw more of what I see each time I travel until I have every last crumb of the journey noted down. Like a train anorak type. North Wales still feels like home to me, even though I am living here in London. One day I will go back but for now, the journey back connects the two places. There is a Welsh word for the feeling of missing Wales 'hiraeth', it has no direct translation but it means a sort of homesickness and longing for Wales or for what is departed."

  See Anna's maps at her website here; www.cartographic.org.uk

Ernold Same by Grandpa Snail  Grandpa Snail (known as James amongst gastropods) has sent over his incredibly detailed illustrated map of suburban London. Inspired by the Blur song of the same name, the map captures the mundanity of the city's samey suburbs.

"A familiar sight in suburban London."

Thanks Grandpa Snail! I guess today will always be tomorrow.

U.S.A Map by Gabriela Nicole Gonzalez

This wonderfully textured map of the U.S was sent over byGabriela. Whilst creating the map, she realised there is much of her own country she is still yet to see...

"Since I was really little, I have been very into traveling, and my family would take me on big trips to Europe or South America, places far away. As I've gotten older, my love for traveling has not faded at all and I've saved up my money several times to go abroad exploring new places and new faces. But recently it has dawned on me that I have not traveled much in my own country, so I am making it a point to explore the U.S. and what it's all about soon in my future."

Thanks for getting in touch Gabriela!

Seaside Map by Lucy Davidson

Lucy Davidson (aka Peas and Needles) sent over her lovely image of where she wants to live; by the sea...

"I've always wanted to live by the seaside in a big tall building right on the coastline. Where you would have views of all the boats sailing past and people swimming in the sea. This is my dream and where I feel happiest. Minus the seagulls though please."

The Village of Hartley by Kerry Hyndman

  Kerry Hyndman has a large and impressive portfolio, and now it's just got even more impressive with this fantastic map of Hartley...

  "This is where I grew up and where my parents still live. I didn't realise until I moved away how great it was to have friends and family living so close by. Even though when I was growing up it felt like everybody knew what I was up to! I've made it look at lot more picturesque that it actually is. But in my mind it's pretty idyllic!"

Where I Grew Up by Timothy Hunt

  Tim got in touch via Twitter to contribute to the Maps project, and this is his awesome creation.

  "The map is of the village where I grew up, the forest was very scary and there were a lot of strange stories about ghosts and all sorts of weird things. I made up the lake, there wasn't one, but that is all that was missing. There were lots of open fields of grass and some filled with crops, getting chased by farmers was a regular occurrence."

  Beautiful, simple and great colours; Nice work Tim!

Lighthouse by Ryan Chapman Illustrator and artist Ryan Chapman has sent over this great map 

of where he belongs; on a luminous beacon by the sea...

  "People say the Lighthouse keepers job is the loneliest job on earth, I however think it's ideal as you have the days to surf, paint, cook, fish and relax. Then at night you guide ships home while falling asleep to the sounds of the sea. And best of all; no neighbours."

Forest Memory Map by Meghan Walsh

I really love Meghan's delicate and detailed map of the forest behind her house...

"Recurring Dream from my Childhood by Caleb Lin

  Great underwater colours in Caleb's map...

Map of a small section of the Internet by Aimee Fleck

Aimee has mapped the unmappable...

Bel Air, Maryland Map by Kristin Nohe

Kristin's maps her hometown according to the places she's at the most...

Sailing the Open Ocean on a Piece of Driftwood by Danie Drankwalter

I really liked Danie's map of a raft, which contains everything she needs to sail the world...

Where I Belong in 10 Years by Jilly Yoffe

Jilly's map is one which imagines her future country retreat, complete with letterpress studio out the back!

Icons of the American Outdoors by Mitchell Goodrich

  Mitchell created this amazing map of the American outdoors. Being a bit partial to outdoor living myself, I was instantly attracted to the theme and drawing style of this map.

Mt Oliver by Richard Sanderson

  The brilliant Mr.Richard Sanderson has contributed a map of where he belongs; on an arctic archipelagan outpost...

"This is a sort-of map of a ghost town, inspired by the recently abandoned Russian settlement of Pyramiden in Svalbard, Norway.

Mount Oliver was a mountain rich in natural resources, which led to the construction of mines, power stations and factories. That is until the fires started in the mines. They're still burning today."

Birkenhead Map by James Clapham

Illustrator James Clapham has turned the area where he lives into a fabulous (if not lethal) hand drawn mythical fantasy...

"I wanted to not only illustrate my area, Wirral, but also the surrounding places; looking into bits of mythology and playing around with local landmarks."