The Monarch's Way
Personal commissions
This one was definitely my favourite commissioned map, both in terms of the process of creating it, and the end result. I spoke with Lee-stuart before I started, to get some insight into his adventure, and it left me in stitches. So many amusing stories and events along the journey, that made creating this map an absolute joy.
Here's what he had to say once the map was complete:
"I commissioned Owen to create a very personal map of my
Fastest Known Time on the Monarch’s Way in 2018. There is a certain
magic that is required to do something as wonderful as his maps and the
time he spent speaking to me, reading up on the detail and route and
researching the history and context of my adventure shines through in
his ink. The map is entwined with the people and events on my 625 miles
journey, with wizards and peoples initials hidden in the landscape to
reflect friends that helped, and giant vintage sea monsters on the map
to reflect the heavy flooding that dogged my first week. It’s the little
flourishes that make these maps so deeply personal, and a closer
inspection of mine will reveal telephone boxes as shelters, sleeping
rough, a run in with the law at night and an accidental house party as
all parts of the bigger map. In a world of ubiquitous T shirts and
medals this is a truly wonderful gift for any runner with a story to
tell.”
- Lee-stuart Evans