Jocelyn Curry

For eleven determined map designers, the ever-available view of the North Cascades' Colonial Peak and Pyramid Peak from the North Cascades Institute's Environmental Learning Center on Diablo Lake may have helped give them perspective as they navigated their ways through the complex process of drawing maps during The Artful Map, A One-Page Nature Journal (Sept. 6-9). This class does not offer templates; each participant designs her or his individual representation of a Place. As we all learned, this requires the courage of a mountain climber and the calm of a monk. They earned their badges, as their work will testify. Some had considerable art experience, and some had very little at all. Each one pushed to learn new technical skills and develop keen eyes for design. I have divided the review into two parts. Part I, here, shows the maps that were based on the local or regional areas in the North Cascades. Scroll down further to read Part II:

Robin and Stephanie both used frosted mylar, ink, and colored pencil. Both maps are 11" x 17."

Robin Downs (her map is on the left) was inspired to render the waters and glaciers of the North Cascades punctuated with black bird icons. Above, Stephanie Bennett chose to feature "The Pickets,", a series of rugged peaks in the N. Cascades. The elevation lines created rich linear texture while carefully drawn peaks showed through in vignette form.

Jennifer Klamm arrived in class knowing she wanted to work with colored pencils. Other than that, she had no pre-conceived idea. The result: a richly illustrated map with her own poetic words featuring the beautiful little Peninsula Trail at the edge of Diablo Lake. Her studious and methodical way of working can be seen above.

My dry-erase marker set comes in handy in my workshops at the Learning
Center. To offer a little daily lettering design lesson, I will select a quote to put up on the board. The maps made in the class told many stories. Below, Libby Mills incorporated as many possible visual stories related to this region as she could fit on one small journal page. Click on her map to see a larger view, and have fun reading this map.

Libby Mills' one-page "favorite distractions and highights" featuring sightings of Dippers along the SR 20 route to the Learning Center.

Brain Peterman composed his page with three columns and a very nicely lettered title stretching across the top. Illustrations and detailed journal notes complemented the central map showing the hiking route he and his wife followed the week before the class.

The completed, artful map. Recently retired from a career in computer-related work, Brian enjoyed making something entirely by hand.

Jessica Haag's map (not complete yet) features a stylized Deer Creek Trail, an enchanting path near campus, with some favorite highlights. A shelter, a hummingbird's nest, native plants, and various icons enhance her circular map. One of Jessica's intents was to incorporate classic map elements in unconventional ways. Her scale is represented in hoof prints.

Part II may be seen below.