In this episode of Tom Ray's Art Podcast, we delve into the meticulous world of Sophie Parr, an artist who has mastered the art of hand-drawn maps. Sophie's journey from urban planner to map illustrator is as fascinating as their detailed creations, capturing locations from a bird's-eye view with striking pen and ink techniques.

Sophie reveals how a simple family vacation activity evolved into a full-fledged artistic pursuit, leading to establishing a unique niche in the art world. We discuss her transition from urban planning to freelance work and how their love for maps turned into a thriving business.

Discover the behind-the-scenes of Sophie's process, from utilizing aerial views for accuracy to her decision-making on scale for optimal detail. Sophie also shares insights on the power of Instagram reels in building an engaged audience, with some of her videos reaching viral status.

As Sophie continues to navigate the art scene, they talk about the challenges and rewards of running a gallery-turned-studio, their approach to art fairs, and future aspirations, including a large-scale Chicago map project.

Sophie Parr's website https://www.mapsbysophie.com

Sophie Parr on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mapsbysophie

Tom Ray's Art Podcast Website: https://www.tomrayswebsite.com