"Artistic Cartography"

Artistic Cartography is a style of work that incorporates the subject matter with its geographical location on Earth. I have
always had a keen interest in maps and a love for wildlife and it seemed only natural to combine the two.

Our wildlife is continuously threathened with loss or destruction of their habitat. This is one of the prime factors that has caused
our wildlife to become endangered or threathened. In Canada, as of today there are 631 endangered species at risk. There are
over 1300 endangered and threatened species in the United States of America and over 26,000 worldwide.

Nature Canada states: Many scientists believe that the rate of loss is greater now than at any time in history. Most scientists agree
that human activity is causing rapid deterioration in biodiversity. The loss of critical wildlife habitat, from expanding human
settlements, logging, mining, agriculture and pollution are destroying ecosystems, upsetting nature's balance and driving many
species to extinction. For roughly 75 per cent of endangered species, the loss and degradation of their habitat is the central
cause of their declining numbers.

WWF states: Destructive human activities have led to the current rate of species extinction, which is at least 100–1,000 times
higher than the expected natural rate.

With this in mind Artistic Cartography as a distinct style was created. The concept is to depict the wildlife subject of my art
within its natural habitat bringing together for the viewer both the threatened species and its threatened environment.

Canada's map system is very encompassing and virtually every inch of Canada is either on a topographical map or a nautical
chart. The majority of Canada's maps are published through copyrighted permission from Natural Resources Canada or
Fisheries & Oceans and permission has been obtained to use each one of the maps depicted within the Artistic
Cartography pieces.

In addition, permission has been received from National Geographic Maps to use any map in publication that National
Geographic has produced.

The process starts with the purchase of an actual flat map and the original drawing is rendered on top of it. The map acts
as the canvas or paper. An Artistic Cartography piece takes considerably longer than a “normal” drawing due to the fact that
maps are much smoother than the regular 120 lb weight drawing paper used and the map does not have sufficient tooth to hold
the graphite. Most of the maps are completed with graphite, Staedtler Marker and paint, either watercolour or acrylic depending
upon the desired effect. The overall idea is to allow the map to fade into the background and allow the subject matter to take precedent and this allows the viewer to focus on the finished art and then to delve and explore further into it's habitat upon closer inspection.