Dabbling in the Art of Decorative Map Making

A while back, I had the pleasure of meeting artist and calligrapher Sarah Hannah.
While visiting from her home in California, Sarah offered a Decorative Map Making class in the studio of her mother, Kaye Hannah.   (You may recall my post about the Copperplate class I took from Kaye a few years ago.)

The class was delightful and very informative.  Sarah took us through the process she developed through years of creating one-of-a-kind masterpieces for special occasions.  It was a treat to learn from her and be privy to her insights and experience.

As it happened, within a year of taking Sarah's class, our son John was getting married.   What better time to put this new skill to the test, right?

I followed Sarah's advice and asked what landmarks were important to John and his bride-to-be, Melissa, what information they wanted to include, and the specifics of what they wanted pictured.   There were two or three exchanges for adjustments to my initial pencil sketch before the final map was completed.

Here is the black and white version - Micron on Bristol ~

Bruno Wedding Map by Adele Bruno, CZT

After the final approval, I used Derwent Inktense pencils to add color ~

Bruno Wedding Map by Adele Bruno, CZT

Following Sarah's direction, I scanned the map at a high resolution and sent it by email to the happy couple.  

As a result, they could use it in any way they chose - including surprising me by printing it poster size to display at the reception.

My husband and I used the graphic for rehearsal dinner invitations and had a woven blanket made for John and Melissa as a wedding gift (ordered from Shutterfly.com).

I highly encourage you to take a class to learn something new.  Look for classes offered by masters in an area you are curious about.  You will benefit from their years of experience and expertise.    If you haven't had the opportunity to learn from a Certified Zentangle® Teacher, this may be a good time to find one near you.  (Click here for the list of CZTs)  

As Karen (Canberra, Australia) suggested in Monday's IAST #147 post, "Advice to other Tanglers - don't let distance get between you and a CZT.  Jump on a plane and visit one who lives somewhere interesting." .

Finally, make some thing for some one you love and spread the joy, it will return to you one hundred fold.

Enjoy!