For our crowdfunding campaign to send issue 10 to print, we asked long-standing Ernest contributor Aidan Meighan of Whereabouts Maps to design our Trail Tea enamel mugs inspired by foraged teas you can make in the great outdoors, including common gorse and Norway spruce. Join us as we enter Aidan’s Somerset studio and find out more about the illustrator and cartographer
Ernest Trail Tea mugs, engraved by Cut By Beam, designed by Aidan Meighan
Aidan, you designed the beautiful Trail Tea mugs for our crowdfunding campaign. Please take us through your design process.
When Ernest got in touch to discuss a 'trail tea' article for issue 10 I was excited as I love drawing plants! The conversation got even better when they told me about the brilliant engravers 'Cut By Beam'. By the time the conversation had reached its conclusion and I realised my plant illustrations were going to be engraved on enamel mugs for the upcoming crowdfunder, I was halfway out the garden door to take plant cuttings to draw from.
Where possible I like to draw from the real thing, but when this isn't possible, I try to find appropriate references in books or online.
I think it is important to cross reference as much as possible – if we all draw the first image on an internet search, before long all our drawings will start to look the same!
These plant drawings were really satisfying. Following out from the stem of the branch you organically fill in the forks, leaves, fruits and flowers. Just like with nature's methods, you end up with a completely unique structure.
You've been working with Ernest since issue 1 on a variety of features – what have been the highlights for you?
My favourite maps I've drawn for Ernest are probably 'Mapping Antarctic women', 'Brutalist London', 'Doggerland' and 'Scottish Bothies'. As for illustrations, I really enjoyed the 'The Egg Collectors of Skúvoy' triptych in issue 9, 'The Orford Merman' and a man being 'defenestrated' (thrown from a window) in Prague.
Aidan’s ‘Brutalist London’ map for issue 3 of Ernest
You describe yourself as a cartographer and illustrator – how did your love of maps begin?
Pattern and mark making have always been principal components of my style and this led to me being a good fit for map commissions in the early stages of my career. Over time I developed a reputation as a map maker. Nowadays most of my commissions are maps with an illustrative component.
I've loved looking at maps for a long time. They are a beautiful muddle of maths, science, politics, history and art. They can be fantasy or fiction, but every map takes you on a literal or metaphorical journey. I always find myself getting lost in maps, an irony that pleases me.
What's your favourite map ever made and why?
'Mapping Antarctic Women' was a project undertaken by humanitarian, writer and activist Carol Devine. Maps are often snapshots of history; changing landscapes, politics and territories. Often their agendas and inaccuracies can be carried forward from map to map. This map reevaluates history and pays overdue tribute to the brilliant women involved with the history of the continent. They have been forced out of the limelight by their male counterparts. Thankfully, this map challenges that! It was a joy to map the success of these inspirational women explorers, scientists and innovators.
Aidan’s ‘Mapping Antarctic Women’ for issue 7 of Ernest
Any other interesting projects you're working on at the moment?
I had quite a few jobs lined up before lockdown that were either paused or cancelled, so I'm relieved to see that work has slowly begun to pick up again.
Currently I'm gearing up to do some illustrations for issue 10 of Ernest, and I'm drawing a map of the Mediterranean coast for American travel magazine Stranger Guides.
Where do you turn for inspiration, particularly when you're in a creative lull?
My trick is to keep active and busy. If I'm overwhelmed by a project I usually find the best method is to reset my brain by going for a nice walk with my dog, a run or pottering about in my allotment.
My wife is also an illustrator and we both use each other as a sort of backboard to bounce and generate ideas off.
When I can, I visit exhibitions, and make the time to draw for pleasure – both of these are brilliant for inspiration. It can be tricky to motivate yourself when drawing is your 9 to 5, but it’s always rewarding when you commit.
What have you taken away from the lockdown experience?
It puts life into perspective. I could easily be anxious about work quietening down, but there are far more important things to focus on. It has made me very grateful for what I already have.
My wife and I have been relatively lucky living in the countryside, with each other and our dog for company.
It is mind boggling that the effects have been felt by almost every person across the globe, and in some ways that is unifying. I hope this is the beginning of a new chapter and that we can take positives away from the situation. We now have the opportunity to change the things that weren't working before.
I worry about ongoing mental health implications and worsening austerity. But countering this, I think there has already been a restored sense of community, self sustainability and enhanced recognition of shared challenges ahead such as our huge battle against climate change.
Tell us about your studio space. How does it reflect you?
We moved into a new house in March and one of the silver linings of lockdown has been finding the time to decorate the house including our studio room.
We have two desks and a shared shelf of curiosities, trinkets and favourite books. In my book collection there are a lot of map books and atlases and of course a shelf dedicated to Ernest issues.
On the walls there is a 1960s leaflet unfolded to show illustrations of Swiss mountains, some Poole pottery plates and a Glastonbury Free Press poster from 2013 saying 'I love the smell of ink and paper in the morning'.
We also share the space with some of my favourite house plants including a purple shamrock, string of hearts and wilful rubber plant. All of which we have grown from cuttings, a hobby that has 'grown' out of control.
When my wife and I aren't taking it in turns to play music and podcasts the room gently vibrates to sound of our snoring dog Bryher. Bryher is a much cherished part of the team and is equal parts adorable and mad.
