En l'An de Grâce 2022 (as we frenchmen would say),

L'Arpenteur - DbCartography (Me! Who would have thought?!) decided to step out of the shadows of the map-making world by signing to the long list of members of the prestigious Cartographer's Guild. This is it. I evolved.
But why did have waited so long? Why in the seven hells I lurked so many years without showing up like a grown man?

Well I think I'm slowly overcoming the shame of being so vastly inspired by awarded artist like Marc Moureau, Mrs. Beee or J.Blando that at some times, I lost myself in their styles, in their lines, their visions. What a trinity! Yes, I've chosen you on these long gone days to carry my learning as an artist, and blinded by your lights, I couldn't see anything but your work. It pierced me like a cruel arrow, fiercly. But it's looking at you guys for hours, while licking my wounds, that I learnt to draw, to chose colors, to define my shapes. Never touched a pencil before going on this journey two years ago, never laid colors before that last winter.

Yes, I stole from you shamelessly; borders, tones, compositions. But I had to learn fast, I had to get myself on this path, and I had to eat, also.

But most important, I had to train my eyes.

Now I see clear. I peak through the window and see the bright chimneys of cities that crumble away, the jagged peaks of maw-like mountains that devour the veils of a pale blue sun and my mind can finally set sails to the edges of these worlds full of wonders and mysteries. I see the work of the ancients, their mastery. I see their columns of pure white marble, their intertwined and complex ornaments. I see their Love. The Love that pushes us, artists, to explore and ward the paths we take. We carry the burden of creation and dreams.

Thank you for letting me lurk in your shadows so long. Thank you for these harsh words, Mr Moureau. I can now walk on shamelessly.

Fresh new sents.
Wind's blowing,
I take up my bow.

Happy mapping!

Thibaud J.B. - Astral booker of l'Arpenteur
Cartographer and pathfinder of distant lands
Artstation // https://www.artstation.com/arpenteur
Instagram // https://www.instagram.com/dbcartography/