August 11, 2011
They Draw and Travel: Art and Exploration by Worldwide Artists
Robert Doyle READ TIME: 2 MIN.
NORTH ADAMS, MA - They Draw and Travel is a unique fusion of art and exploration, featuring illustrated maps by artists worldwide. Each map is one-of-a-kind, highlighting off-the-beaten path sites and activities that are local favorites. Because the artists that draw them have a personal connection to the place, the maps are infused with personal bits of magic that other travel guides can't fully capture.
They Draw and Travel (TDAT) launched in May 2011 and already contains illustrated guides to hundreds of worldwide locales, with more added daily.
The creative outpouring from artists has been amazing. TDAT's recent Marvelous Map Contest received over 200 entries. The winners were selected by Lilla Rogers of the prominent Lilla Rogers Studio, which represents some of the most talented illustrators in the world.
The winning map embodies the talent, wit and spirit of discovery that TDAT is all about: Chatachuk Weekend Market in Bangkok by Pinyada Ratanasungk from Bangkok, Thailand.
TDAT is a new way to experience travel, whether you're planning your next trip, reminiscing about places you've been or dreaming about places you want to go one day. It's all about celebrating the wonder in the world through art, and the format presents completely fresh ways to envision a place, from music lore in Seattle to animal watching in San Francisco to Antarctic exploration!
They Draw and Travel is a sister site of They Draw & Cook, which contains the biggest and best collection of illustrated recipes anywhere. The sites were created by Nate Padavick and Salli Swindell, a brother-sister illustration team known as Studio SSS.
Nate and Salli were blown away by the creative energy artists worldwide pour into their recipe illustrations, and they realized that artists have similar passion for their favorite places to live and visit. They launched They Draw and Travel as a place for artists to express that passion, and for readers to discover their creations.
Long-term New Yorkers, Mark and Robert have also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center, Mark is a PhD in American history and literature, as well as the author of the novels Wolfchild and My Hawaiian Penthouse. Robert is the producer of the documentary We Are All Children of God. Their work has appeared in numerous publications, as well as at : www.mrny.com.