Into the Strenuous Briefness

Goal: make wall art for the blank wall in my bedroom

Supplies: 10 canvases (all 8x10), printer, ModPodge, acrylic sealer

Idea: Print antique map image(s), ModPodge onto canvases, hang on wall

Decisions to be made:

1. One large image broken into several pieces (i.e., this)? This was my original plan, but I’m having a hard time deciding what kind of map I want. I think I want a world map—I already have a large London Underground map and an antique-ish London skyline. I love Paris (it was my first real international experience) and think that Paris’ map is visually appealing, but I also think that’s cliche. Venice also has a cool map, but although I have visited and enjoyed Venice, I don’t think it has enough personal weight to be on my bedroom wall. Michigan’s map is a possibility. I already have a hand-painted Pittsburgh map I got from a local artist, and I don’t feel connected enough to Baltimore at this point to do a Baltimore map. A US map is also a possibility. Or perhaps a celestial map.

2. Lots of different small maps?

3. While image searching, some illuminated medieval manuscripts showed up in the results, and then I started thinking it would be awesome to have a collage of medieval manuscript pages on my wall. I studied medieval literature fairly extensively (I’m obnoxiously well-rounded) and think that this would be super cool. BUT I am not sure it would be as visually neat as Option #1.

I will be sure to keep you all posted.