The Earth in the palm of your hand
“A map says to you…Read me carefully, follow me closely, doubt me not. I am the Earth in the palm of your hand.” So wrote Beryl Markham (1902-1986), the first person to fly solo, non-stop across the Atlantic from Britain to North America in 1936. She wrote about her adventures in her memoir, West with the Night. I love the perspective that sketching a map can give you. It is a wonderful way to learn about the places you visit and to record your experience.
Teaching a class this week on how to make a vacation map gave me a chance to revisit Cabrillo National Monument near San Diego. We enjoyed fantastic tide pooling there two years ago, but I did not make a map at the time. Creating one now makes that adventure feel more complete: I have a piece of southern California in the palm of my hand.
Drawn In 
Thank you Jean for your Earth in the palm of your hand quote . I often have had sketchers do this as part of my trips. It took me back to Greece and Cuba trips. My friend Carolyn Doutre traveled with you to Portugal and had a wonderful time with you. Cheers from Norwich CT where I continue to do art and feel very lucky.Off to an ice and biddeford protest this morning. I must go make my sign. Nina Barclay
Jean! You’ve always inspired me to include maps with my nature sketches, especially when I’ve “misplaced” this wonderful advice deep in the folds of my memories. This map with the landscape painting goes well beyond inspiration ….. adding the landscape view is pure genius!
….. love the presentation, composition, color choices, and the page of beautiful tide pool goodies! Thanks so much for sharing, and have a fun class!
oh!!! What a marvelous compass rose ….. the center is so much fun!