Bring out the drumroll, I’ve finally finished my Glacial Drumlin poster. It’s been a process, not because of the work itself, but because…well…I haven’t been working on it. Summer (and a newly retired husband:-) apparently offered too many interesting distractions.
Anyway, let me present the newest poster in Adunate’s shop. It’s my story of the Glacial Drumlin State Trail. Let it be yours too!
According to those more cultured than I, an artist statement is the front line communication between the artist and their public. It’s an insight to their creative soul. I’ve never considered myself an artist so I’ve never needed to write a statement. But if I were to write one for this poster, it would go something like this:
Graphic designers are all about visual communication and problem-solving. Given that, allow me to delve further into my thought process for this poster.
The What, Why, and How
You know how you step onto the trail with plans of mindless solitude? Before long a Killdeer bird joins you, doing that broken-wing-thing to lure you away from her nest. Then a rabbit hops into the trail a few steps ahead, freezing for a moment and then running into the brush. A Red-winged Blackbird twills from high in a tree. You inhale the peppery aroma of Dame’s Rocket flowers lining the trail. All around you is a sensory collage of God’s amazing creation and suddenly that mindlessness comes to rapt attention here, there, and everywhere.
My Glacial Drumlin Trail poster is just that—a collage of creation. Besides mapping the trail’s 52-ish miles of diverse habitats and ecosystems, it offers a sampling of the hundreds of bird species spotted along the way and, from left to right, the many wildflowers blooming from spring to autumn.
As a history buff, I’ve also given homage to the trail’s former life. Built as a railroad line in the late 1800s by Chicago and North Western Railway (C&NW), it was part of the 400 Line running between Chicago and Minneapolis—400 miles in 400 minutes, as they would boast. In Commuters: The 1950 Turnaround, William D. Middleton writes: “The Chicago & North Western of the 1950s was among the big-time of Chicago passenger railroading. It was a proud partner with UP and SP in the West Coast streamliner fleet, and its handsome 400 streamliners in Apple Green and English Stagecoach Yellow reached every place of importance served by C&NW in the upper Midwest.”
Apple Green and English Stagecoach Yellow—Is that kinda like the green and gold we Wisconsinites love to love? With a nod to all manner of trains and football, I’ve done my poster in these vintage shades, along with old-time map fonts and imagery.
The Glacial Drumlin State Trail is part of Rail to Trails, a great network of safe, multi-use, public trails built on abandoned railroad lines. This summer, like so many others, I’ve logged glorious miles on these trails. My Glacial Drumlin poster is a showcase of such adventures. And maybe, if you’re not doing so already, it will encourage you to join us!
Here’s where you can get your own Glacial Drumlin map. Grab yours today!