Recently, as part of the previous project in my MA in Illustration, I was asked to create a map. This map could be of anything, to anywhere, or who, or what. I was also asked recently after sharing the finished map on Instagram, by Ciara (a beautiful artist) about being able to see the map up close. So as the project was inspired by my garden, where most of my inks and paints come from, I thought I would give you a detailed version of it here.

a page from my rough portfolio.

The ‘map’ consisted of various layers from the history of the land I live on, to how it is now, the flowers I use to make inks, the insects, the birds, the mammals, and the dinosaurs I have added to the garden. As you look through the front of the map, you get a view through time and space of my garden.

The land I live on must have been scrubland, because of the various plants that grow here, gorse, knapweed, ragwort, all the usual countryside wildflowers. My husband, who rebuilt it discovered that it may have been set alight to clear space for the small holding and house because there was a layer of soot under the meadow. The farmhouse was typical of the 1930s, 1 bed and an Aga in the kitchen, which had the most bizarre chimney attached, where they must have kept adding to it until it was raised above the wind and could draw effectively!

The farm had several acres until it was eventually separated into four plots and sold. We also think that it is connected with Picton Castle, a retired groundsman possibly, who was given the land to live on by his employer.

in the 1930s

as it is now.

Next comes the flowers. I only mention the flowers that I use to create inks, there were far too many to add to the map, in such a small space. These are the inks created from flowers and plants.

When you look at this layer with the map of the land behind, you can see where they grow in the garden, which parts are cultivated and which grow wild. Mostly, the garden is holly, which originally was planted to protect houses from lightning strikes and angry gods (in both Welsh and Norse mythology). The majority of the plants here are wild and natural to this area. Every now and then, something new will pop up if the conditions have been right for it. Sometimes we have Ragged Robin, one of my all-time favourite flowers. I spent my childhood looking for them, and did not see any, ever, until I moved here.

Ragged Robin

The next layer of the map, which again, makes sense when you look at it with the flower layer behind. And also again, I have not named all of them, or not gone into specifics as to which species of spiders, moths, or bumblebees, because there are many.

a map of insects

I am particularly interested in insects. I love how they have evolved to suit their environment, or deter predators, or too last forever like the woodlouse. They all have specific benefits to the garden, I am not entirely sure about wasps and slugs, but most pollinate and allow the flowers to reproduce, some keep off the mold, which is useful in this rainy and damp climate. The tiniest insect I have found so far is the leafhopper, although a pest to me and my garden, transmitting all kinds of nasties, but is useful for fungi and they are food for wasps and spiders and spiders are great predators to have around. So although some of these little creatures are a pain, they do encourage the arrival of other handy creatures, like spiders and birds, which is the next layer.

The Birds!

I tried to mark these by colour, but as it happens, most of them are brown! I’ve also not mentioned them all, but the ones I see the most, or my favorites like the Greater Spotted Woodpecker, noisy but comical and very shy.

The next layer is the mammals that live here. Some I have not seen, but there is strong evidence that they do wander through, such as badgers, who have taken a wall down to get to bumblebee colonies underground and mice that the cat brings in. Last year we had a hungry fox, full of mange who I was able to help by contacting The Fox Angels Foundation . I hope he survived. The foxes are still here, though I have not seen any this year, probably sick to death of jam sandwiches, which is great because I prefer them to eat the slugs and snails.

Last of all is the dinosaurs. This is my mark on the garden. I love dinosaurs, I always have. The thought of these huge lumbering, ferocious creatures roaming the earth is fascinating whether the scientists have the facts right, or not. I bought all of them second-hand and are dotted around the garden, I think there are 23 altogether now, a few more than when I finished the map. I love when I clear the garden after the winter months and suddenly find them all again, it also gives me an incentive to do the gardening , as you can imagine, it is a tough job.

Talulah

When viewed from the front, it is easy to see how each layer interacts with the next. The reason why it is in layers is because each subject, flowers, birds etc can be looked at individually, but it is not until one sees what comes before and after that one can really understand why this bird, or that flower.