Welcome to my Q2 newsletter of 2024!
Since I last wrote, I finished my 5th semester teaching at PNCA, took Jeff the dog on his first camping trip, trained to start teaching ride (stationery cycling) in addition to barre, had a nice visit to Baltimore for the first time in years, turned 35 (that was July so technically into Q3 but I’ll allow it), and have generally been trying to make the most of Portland’s spring and summer weather.
The Circle of Eternal Return
I’m officially (for now) retiring The Circle of Eternal Return. Everything has it’s time and place. It was lovely to put that out into the world and to see people read and enjoy it. Thank you to everyone who bought a copy!
There may be one or two still listed online and I do have several sticker sheets remaining if you want to snag one.
Roseway
I just finished up a map of my neighborhood here in Portland, Oregon. NE Sandy was one of the main highways coming into Portland pre-Interstate. During that time, residents planted roses all along this stretch of road as a way to welcome people in, creating a literal rose way into the city - hence the name ‘Roseway’.
Yes there are a lot of roses in Roseway (and the rest of Portland) and I drew inspiration from the colors of those flowers. I wanted the map to feel vibrant and warm, the way Portland feels in the summer. To bring in more depth, I used some gradient type shading as well. These moments feel like a summer sunset to me, like an after dinner walk or sitting in the backyard at the end of long, warm day.
I love to work on maps for the way they combine illustration and design. Pre-freelance illustration my background was in design, so it’s the perfect blend for how my brain works. Maps were some of the earliest editorial projects I was hired for, and I’ve learned a lot about what works best over the years.
Finding the balance between information and aesthetics is the tricky part. An illustrated map should be accurate, but too much detail will feel busy and overwhelming. These types of maps generally aren’t used for true way-finding. Rather, they give an understanding of the space and places in relation to one another and create context by visualizing the locations.
If I find myself getting into the weeds on map projects odds are I need to edit, focusing on only the necessary details, and then selectively start adding in other elements until it feels both useful and visually enjoyable.
I always start by plotting my locations on a Google map (art directors who come to me with a Google map already plotted - you are amazing, wonderful, doing the lord’s work, etc).
I’ll begin sketching out the artwork for each location over top of the map. If a building is unique and interesting (like Sandy Jug Tavern - the jug of jugs!) I’ll focus on that. If not, I’ll find some other way to show what the spot is all about. This is also determined by how close or far apart the locations are and how much space that leaves for the illustrations.
As I work, I edit the map to accommodate the artwork and by edit I mean wrap, distort, stretch, etc. Don’t be afraid to shift and fudge things in service of the overall balance of the artwork. This should maintain the accuracy of the elements in relation to one another, but also create a composition that works visually.
There are times I’ve sketched out of context of the map, planning to drop the icons in all at once, only to realize I couldn’t use something I’d drawn because it would’t fit or would compete with some other element, etc. So I recommend sketching in context so you can see how it develops as you work and so you can tweak the underlying map as you go.
Once I’m satisfied with the composition and artwork, I can move on to color and finish it up. Sometimes I’ll need to go back in when I’m almost done and add secondary details if I feel there is a strange negative space or something about the composition that needs to change, but mostly I try to sort out most of that in the sketch phase.
Below are some of my other favorite map projects I’ve worked on. If you need an illustrated map please get in touch - hey@sunnyeckerle.com
Kinder Egg Divination
I wish I could remember where I saw this online (so please feel free to tell me if you know! I did not come up with this idea myself!) because I’ve been enjoying it the last few months. Essentially, you use a Kinder Egg to gain insight or understanding into something that’s on your mind, similar to a tarot card pull.
Stand in front of the Kinder Egg display at the store and think about a question or situation you’d like guidance on. As you focus on that thought, hover your palm over the eggs and select the one that feels like it’s calling out to you.
Continue to focus on your question or situation as you open the egg and build your toy. The toy you receive will be the answer to your question. While you eat the candy half of the egg, think about what the toy means or represents in relation to your question or intention.
For example, I did this for the first time a few days after my cat Vada died. I was extremely sad and my question was essentially ‘What do I do now? This feeling hurts, I don’t like it, how do I handle it?’ My toy (pictured above with my current collection) was a flying yellow mouse that launches out of a big shoe. I took this to mean I needed to kick myself in the ass a little bit (the shoe) and be as open to the experience as possible (the mouse in sunglasses and make-shift wings, ready for his flight). Launch myself forward and be ready for the ride! The only way out this thru, etc, etc.
If you’re at all woo woo this is a really fun activity and if you’re not, at least you end up with candy and a cute toy at the end.
Until Q3…
Please send me an email - hey@sunnyeckerle.com - if you have an illustration project in mind!
Thanks for reading and enjoy the rest of your summer.
Awww I love the Kinder Egg pull 🥲 Loved this process newsletter - thanks for sharing!
Post more on your substack! 😇 I miss your monthly carousels now that I’m off ig. 🥲