As we welcome the new year, our series of “Inspired by Beatrix” continues exploring the reach of Beatrix Potter’s influence, and this month we are featuring map maker and illustrator Bek Cruddace. Bek holds an MSc in Geographic and Geodetic Information Systems from University College London, and she is based in Hampshire in the UK. Her background in this field gives her a unique way of understanding time and place. It is this particular ability, and her extensive experience working on a broad range of mapping design projects, that have attracted the attention of many, including most recently the National Trust.
She explains to us about her most recent work for the National Trust and how it is connected to the world of Beatrix Potter: “I was recently commissioned by National Trust Hill Top and Hawkshead to design an illustrated folding map to showcase Hawkshead, the Lake District village closest to Hill Top where Beatrix Potter lived and worked as well as the surrounding area that influenced her work. The completed map shows Potter related places around Hawkhead as well as the actual locations that some of Beatrix Potter’s original drawings were based on. The back of the maps gives detailed information about Beatrix Potters relationship with Hawkshead and the surrounding area such as Esthwaite, Tarn Hows and Wray”.
This new project speaks beautifully to the spirit and legacy of Beatrix Potter, and it made us wonder about when Bek learnt about Beatrix Potter.
How did you first discover Beatrix Potter’s work?
“I was introduced to the work of Beatrix Potter when I was a child by my parents. They still have a large collection of her books which I’ve also enjoyed reading to my own children when they were younger. They have a very special place in my heart, and it was lovely to work closely with the National Trust to design a map around Beatrix Potter’s work”.
After hearing how Beatrix’s stories have had an important place in her family through different generations, we wondered if there were any specific elements of Beatrix Potter’s work that continue to strongly resonate with her today.
What aspects of Beatrix Potter’s work inspire you the most?
“I love the stories and how charming they are but at the same time there is a hint of mischief in many of the tales. As a child the animal illustrations really drew me in as did the thoughts of animals having their little lives running in tandem, but independent to our own. I also loved the rhyming verses. Beatrix Potters illustrations are absolute works of art. Also, I’m originally from the West Pennines so not far from the Cumbrian landscape which I know very well, and it is so central to Beatrix Potter’s work and inspirational”.
Beatrix’s legacy and influence can be appreciated in the way Bek fondly describes Potter’s storytelling and illustrations. Her presence is still palpable today, and we were curious to know to what extent had this legacy influenced Bek’s own work.
“With regard to the Hawkshead map, I had to make sure that my contemporary, digital illustrated map worked well with Beatrix Potter’s illustration style as my client hoped to combine the two. The colours I used in the map and stand out illustrations were traditional, muted and not too bright so they wouldn’t jar against Beatrix Potters pencil sketches. I fitted Beatrix’s illustrations within a coloured frame with contemporary lettering/labels in an attempt to join my illustration with her pencil sketches so hopefully the two different styles could complement each other. I also dotted a few animals around my illustration to link with Beatrix Potters characters – e.g. a frog to represent Mr Jeremy Fisher, Ducks for Jemima Puddle Duck etc. Some of these animals are quite well hidden”.
Bek’s contemporary approach to the world of Beatrix Potter feels natural and completely in tune with what Beatrix herself would have appreciated. Her map also includes some of Beatrix’s illustrations indicating where they were inspired, as well as a suggested list of activities connected to Beatrix and her characters that align with the author’s themes and values.
Do you have a favourite Beatrix Potter book or character? Why?
“I’m torn between the story of Tom Kitten being rolled up in dough by (the quite horrific), Samuel Whiskers and Anna-Maria and the two bad mice wrecking the doll’s house although I also enjoy Appley Dapply’s Nursery rhymes and the Tale of Johnny Town-mouse. To be honest, it’s difficult to choose a favourite”.
It was lovely for us to hear how many of Beatrix Potter’s characters meant the most to Bek, so we naturally wanted to understand how her admiration for Beatrix’s work has influenced her own creative process.
“My creative process is very much client driven because the majority of my work is from commercial commissions, so I have a brief to work to. I do still try and include a sense of fun in my illustrations though”.
Her love of Potter’s stories gentle mischief and her commitment to carrying out that same playful spirit into her illustrations gave us the opportunity to ask Bek about her wider artistic vision.
What do you hope to achieve with your art that is inspired by Beatrix Potter?
“With the Hawkshead map, I hope to inspire people to visit the village of Hawkshead and Hill Top where Beatrix Potter lived. The map was designed to be used to help visitors navigate around the village and see for themselves various places Beatrix used in her illustrations. The flip side of the map contains a lot of Beatrix Potter related information that relates to Hawkshead, Hill Top and other places also managed by the National Trust that have links with Beatrix Potter”.
In this collaboration with the National Trust, Bek has created an accessible, engaging and fun way for visitors to explore Beatrix’s world. A special project thoughtfully put together that creates a bridge between past and present and that continues to bring Potter’s legacy to life in new ways.
Interested in purchasing this map? It is available at the Tabitha Twitchit’s Bookshop in Hawkshead. Learn more here.
If you would like to learn more about Bek’s work, you can visit any of her social media pages:
Website: https://www.bekcruddace.co.uk/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/bekcruddace
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bekcruddace/
*Images and headshot kindly provided by the artist.
