My topographic maps are painstakingly drawn and designed in my home with my CAD (computer-aided design) program. Wood is sanded and coated, then laser-cut and assembled in my work shop. Most of my maps also include frames hand-made by myself. Deeper
My laser-cut topographic maps begin as an idea. My wife Wendy and I enjoy kayaking and hiking in the wilderness that West Virginia has to offer. In our short time here, we’ve already hiked miles and kayaked for hours around the New River Gorge and S
Once the region to be mapped has been identified, it’s time to sit down at the computer and spend hours drawing and editing the contours that will eventually become the parts of the map. Drawings are also scaled to size depending on the thickness of
Once all the CAD work is finished, it’s time to hit the work shop! Wood is sanded and stained as necessary to achieve the desired effect on my finished map.
Prepared wood sheets are then loaded into the laser-cutter for the magic to happen! It takes about forty-five minutes to cut one sheet — longer if there is text or other intricate detail work.
The parts begin to pile up, but it all comes together as I assemble them one-by-one.
Some of my 3D maps with stacked contours require a special frame deep enough to accommodate the thickness of this type of map. Fortunately, my uncle Larry Pettinga owns his own store The Framery and Gallery in Trenton, Michigan where he offer
I’ve now acquired the equipment and materials to make my own frames of wood adding even more to the uniqueness and value of my laser-cut wood maps.
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Brannon Ritterbush keeps a variety of my topographic maps in stock at her Wild Art Wonderful Things gallery/gift shop in nearby Fayetteville, WV.
Maps are also available at Tamarack; The Best of West Virginia art gallery here in my home town of Beckley, West Virginia.
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