Bellarine Map draws attention as release date approaches

THE Bellarine’s most detailed hand-drawn map to date is on the precipice of completion after almost three years of hard work and commitment.

The Bellarine Map is currently in the process of being digitally coloured before hitting the market for sale.

This leaves approximately a month before the project is officially completed and pre-sales are now available.

For “accidental map-maker”, founder and producer of City Maps Illustrated, Melinda Clarke, nearing the end of a major map project like this is always one filled with anxiety and excitement as is the case for many other passionate artists.

“I’m finally getting this baby to the finish line, and you have a sense of pride, but you just never know what the reaction is going to be,” Ms Clarke said.

“But gauging from the maps we have done previously, including The Melbourne Map, which was super successful, we know how much people love illustrative maps and the preliminary sketch we did for the Bellarine a few years ago was really well received so that is encouraging.”

According to Ms Clarke’s website, the map of The Bellarine “has it all”. This documents
the beautiful coastal vistas and everything in-between.

Locals and visitors will cherish the capture of their favourite wineries, golf clubs, attractions, cafes, beaches, bike tracks, railways, ships, sailboats and ferries, water activities, wildlife, landscape and more.

Ms Clarke’s primary means of support over the past three years, not including her team of artists, have been her lead illustrator Deborah Young-Monk and digital colourist Sean Rodwell.

 

Ms Young-Monk lives in Melbourne which has made collaboration between her and Ms Clarke somewhat difficult at times, but the pair has found a way to keep the process flowing over Zoom despite the many days of lockdown. Mr Rodwell is a proud resident of Portarlington.

 

 

“They are my everything, I couldn’t do what I do without them and vice versa,” Ms Clarke said.

“I come up with the ideas for each project and I have a picture in my mind of what I want to see. Then it’s just a gradual process of those two bringing those ideas to life.

“We also use a Geelong-based printing company Creffield Digital Print to scan the limited edition prints and they help us a lot along the way.”

When The Bellarine Map is officially released there will be 500 limited edition versions made from cotton archival paper as opposed to pulp paper in either black-white or coloured appearance.

At a later date there will be A2 and A1 sized posters, locally made jigsaw puzzles and towels.
Ms Clarke will also be available to talk to in-person at the Humans in Geelong Expo on December 5 should people have any further questions about her work and the future Geelong Map project, which has been set aside until 2022.

For more information on what is available for purchase and Ms Clarke’s background at City Maps Illustrated, head to themelbournemap.com.au.