Shout Out to EASTERN SHORE POST

On the eve of the release of my first Texas map, we received really nice coverage in this Virginia newspaper. The interviewer, herself from a family interested in geography, highlighted some of the particular specialties of map-making and really got into the nitty-gritty. The article, from the June 29, 2018 edition, did justice to the issues involved in deciding just what to map and how to make choices about what to show and what to leave out. The need for precision that meets peoples’ expectations must be balanced against whatever artistry is needed for a given location. This was very true of the maps of the Chesapeake Bay (10 in all) and Texas. The sheer size of the areas, coupled with the necessity of being able to represent things at a scale that is readable, makes every one of these choices meaningful. If the map “pops”, people have an instant positive reaction to the visuals. How the land and the water play off each other, reflecting my main interest in calling my work Coastal Art Maps in the first place, is a powerful draw for many. Getting a handle on our vast natural environment and being able to grasp it in this visceral way has been and continues to be a basic human desire for centuries. Despite all our technological advances, these paper representations continue to instinctually draw and fascinate all types of people with commonly-shared reactions. More explorations to come.