Customer Reviews

Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed-Media Mapmaking

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Normally when I receive a new book in the mail, I flip through it briefly then set it aside to look at later. When I opened Jill Berry's book, that habit changed. I couldn't put it down! In this age of countless new releases, Jill has managed to produce a book on a quite different subject matter - mixed media map making.
She helps the virgin mapmaker by explaining the parts of a map, tips to design a compass rose and a cartouche as well as questions to ask yourself as you begin to design your personal map.
The book is split into three sections with several step by step tutorials for different projects within each section.
The sections are:
1. Mapping the Self
2. Mapping Your Experiences
3. Plans, Projections and Possibilities
There are a total of 21 projects and loads of artwork by the 17 contributing artists.
If you're interested in map making, story telling and eye catching artwork, this book is for you!

Jill Berry has turned the art of cartography into a unique and engaging way to approach using a sketchbook or journal to explore your life experiences, travels and personal journeys through life.

The book opens with the basics of what a map is, ideas for things to map, explanations of the parts of a map and includes a comprehensive list of supplies that Jill uses to create the projects in the book. The first main chapter, Mapping the Self, is centered around using mapping as a tool of self-discovery. There are several projects in this chapter including creating a head and body map using paper, pencils, crayons and other every day supplies using the templates provided in the book. You'll also find a carved copper hand map, a 3d heart map, an articulated self portrait map with moveable parts and more.

Chapter two is all about mapping your experiences and you'll learn how to create a pop up memory map, a strip map as well as explore creating a map using simple repeating symbols and ideas for creating a collaborative map. The last chapter in this book is all about Plans, Projects and Possibilities and is all about creating mixed media art pieces from real or fictional maps. Create a map of a fictional place that you read about in a book or one that exists only in your imagination. Create an unfolding 9 panel map book of the future, a box that unfolds and lays flat when the lid is removed, a framed map of your Utopia, a postcard journal or a flip book of a trip you want to remember.

Every page of this book is a feast for the eye and each project is illustrated with step by step directions and easy to read and understand directions. The photography is clear and sharp making the details of the artwork easy to see. Jill's writing style is easy going and conversational and makes the entire book a pleasure to read. If you're looking for a new way to approach recording your memories, experiences and journeys then you definitely want to add this book to your personal library.

I recently received my book, Personal Geographies: Explorations in Mixed Media Mapmaking. The book is excellent and very easy to use. Not only does Jill provide great and informative instructions; she also provides templates to facilitate the creative process. The style of writing is similar to her tone used in her classes. The resources within the book are part of a growing legion of mixed media artists who are gracious and giving.

Dear reader and future readers, get the book and try the head map. I cannot wait to do it myself; I plan to work my way through most of the projects as I explore, my talent, my dreams and move toward good health.

Great work Jill.

I am loving this book. When I heard about this I immediately ordered it. I love maps, but I've always felt as though they were removed from me, something too arcane for me to grasp. Oh, I can read a map to find out where I'm going. That's no problem. But all the topography and symbology and the legend and what lines mean which kinds of roads, well... it is sometimes daunting.

Jill Berry not only demystifies the regal map, but she also gives us permission to MAKE one of our own. Or more! Different kinds of maps! Maps of the self, hand maps, body maps, heart maps, history and street maps. And I appreciate that she shares the maps of other artists, with varying sensibilities.

Not only are there 21 projects with clear tutorials, but the author's narratives are fascinating to me because they help to clarify the content I wish to bring into focus in my own maps from my own life stories. She talks about her life-long love of maps, and touches upon the evolution of maps, the influences guiding map-making, the values of maps through history, and really brings The Map into perspective. After loving the mysterious map for so long, I'm enjoying making my own.

Although this book is not yet in my hands, I got a chance to look through it at the bookstore. I can hardly wait to try out these ideas! Each chapter includes the author's personal story of how she used a particular map idea as well as how-to's. She also includes the work of other artists so you get a good idea of the possibilities. While some of the ideas refer to maps which represent places, other maps are metaphorical. For example, representing what your body has gone through, what's in your head, what has happened to your hands over the years. You'll be doing personal reflection as well as picturing where you've been and what you've done. None of it is about making something which looks like a road map although it may have some of those elements. It'll be about representing your life and using the artist's tools as well as the cartographer's tools to do so. This is definitely a keeper to be referred to again and again.

This book takes you on a comprehensive and creative map making journey. It is FULL of a variety of unique projects and techniques. There are step by step instructions for each of the 21 projects with quality photos that match each step to help you visualize the process. The book is both conversational and instructional making it an enjoyable reading experience as well as a helpful tutorial. It's not a book that you can skim through in an hour...it has a lot packed into it that makes you want to stop and absorb the photos, the stories, the information from additional contributors to the book as well as the core techniques. I will enjoy making the projects in this book for myself but I am also looking forward to working through some of the projects with my grandchildren during the summer. I want to start with the head map where Jill encourages us to map an idea that we have in our head and then gives us the steps to put that to paper in a creative fashion. Wouldn't it be fun to see what mappable ideas our children or grandchildren have in their heads? I highly recommend it and the Amazon price makes it a great deal!

Not just an inspiring teacher, Jill Berry has now written an inspiring book FULL of great ideas for exploring the world and heavens through maps. Her book is also full of project and mixed media ideas for everyone. Here's a winner.

I'll start this review with a a full disclosure.

Jill Berry, mixed media and book artist, calligrapher, workshop teacher and now author of Personal Geographies is a great pal of mine. I was a bit nervous about this review. Would I be able to objectively review her book? Well, as I said, I love Jill and her book is very much her.

This is more than a craft book, but let's start with the techniques. There are templates galore: for designs of a compass rose, cartouche, head map and body map. Book and box instructions, carved metal hand instructions. There's also many ideas incorporating graphic art techniques into your map making.

For me, the real meat of Jill's book are the ideas she offers us such as "what I think my neighbor's day is like." A map of your hand, your heart, your mind. These prompts alone are worth the price of admission. The journaling ideas here encourage you to do a bit of an archeolgical dig.

Jill has done her homework here. Personal Geographies is full of information on the history and terminology of map-making and geography has always fascinated me so that is a great bonus.

A gallery is sprinkled throughout the book featuring current artists such as Beatrice Caron, Jane LaFazio, Carla Soneheim, Orly Aveneri and Gwen Diehn. These maps are very alternative, pushing the idea of map-making to new territory (ha) and pulling you along.

I've picked up other books written by teachers that I've had the good fortune to take a class from and found them good, but not great. It's not often, no matter how great the teacher, that the spirit and essence of the live class experience is captured in book form. This book is different. It really captures a Jill Berry class experience, from the story telling to educational facts to the simple techniques explained with clarity. But what delighted me most about the book were the works by other artists and the variety of projects. I found it inspirational - so much so that I spent the day in my studio after reading through the book. I can't wait to try the Cartographic Reliquary box!

I think this book would make a wonderful gift for those that love handmade books, creative journaling or are looking for creative inspiration. But be warned, the head and body map projects may open your eyes to things you didn't know you had buried inside.

I am a visual learner, and very impatient about reading "how to" kinds of directions in my art books. I was very pleased to discover that this book invited me to take the time to read and dig deeper. The maps are beautiful and inspiring, but Jill Berry's narrative about her love affair with maps is an incredibly compelling aspect of her book as well. This book is one I will reach for regularly for inspiration.