Creativity Tip:
The Magic of Creative Maps
Artellagram 10-4-12


I love using old maps in art. Painting on a map is like having a dialogue with lines, shapes, colors, and spaces. You have to choose what to cover and what to leave exposed, and what kind of opacity and translucency to use on the parts of the map that you cover up. Maps represent journeys of all kinds, and you get to create a relationship between your own personal journey, and the places that the map represents.

When creating art on maps, to bring more meaning to the process, ask yourself questions like:

  • "Are these real places, or imaginary?"
  • "What do the meanings of these locations add to this piece?"
  • "Why is THIS map in particular in this painting, as opposed to any other?" (An important question when using any ephemera, not to mention when it's your entire painting surface!)
  • "How is this map significant to my goals and intentions?"




Maps are great tools for creative writing, too. Take a look at these examples: 

For fiction: When you are writing stories, drawing maps for the different locations in the story is a great way to capture details, ensure consistency, and expand your sense of place.
For poetry: Sketch figurative maps, such as what the map of love looks like, or the map of the ocean's sigh. Allow those images to breathe new life into your poetry.

For non-fiction: Use mind-maps to help you organize your thoughts and resources.

Try creating with and on maps, and find yourself in a new metaphor. Your maps don't need to be fancy or "artistic". They can just be pencil sketches on a piece of paper, or even a napkin. Even the simplest maps can help us find our way.


If you’re intrigued by the idea of what creative mapping might do for your project, goal, or creative business, you might like to take a look at Mapping and Mentoring with Marney, which begins its 4th cycle on October 30 (applications due October 15). If you’ve begun to have a sense of direction of where you'd like to head, but could use an expert's hand to guide you, this innovative program provides the structure and support to help you reach your goals quicker, more efficiently, and with greater results than doing it all on your own.

If you were forwarded this Artellagram or serendipitously found it travelling online, you can sign up here to receive the Artellagram, your map to creative inspiration & discovery from ArtellaLand.com.