"A map is a magic carpet for the mind."

Loïs Cordelia's creative cartography designs include some of her largest, most elaborate and intricate paper-cut works to date. Cutting out of paper with a surgical scalpel, she creates "maps" that incorporate visual references to the symbols, emblems, mythology, legends, flora and fauna of countries and continents, delicately moulded into the shapes of the coastlines. Below are shown a selection of these designs, including several different versions of the British Isles, and of Ireland in particular, evoking the immense diversity of our native folklore and pagan heritage. The African continent is another popular choice, focussing on its dramatic wildlife and bold colours. Loïs's rendition of North America is placed within a Native American dream-catcher, while her depiction of the Isle of Wight suggests the contrast of the two halves of the island: the windswept trees of the west and the rich biodiversity of the east.

Loïs's cut-paper "maps" make ideal gifts for your loved ones for birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions, and can incorporate personal references, symbols, names, dates, quotations, and so on. You are welcome to browse further examples in the "Creative Cartography Maps" gallery listed under "Portfolio" above (see also "Personalised Commissions"). Please contact Loïs to commission a piece today.

"The British Isles - for Isla""The British Isles - for Isla"
Scalpel Paper-cut (creative cartography)
Approx. 50 x 60 cm
Date: September 2015

Comments: First birthday gift commission for a baby girl named Isla, hence the British Isles. The map design incorporates numerous references to ancient mythology and folklore, including:
the Irish Harp and Shamrock,
the Scottish Unicorn,
Stag and Thistle,
the English Tudor Rose and Lion,
the Welsh Leek, Daffodil and Dragon,
Robin Hood,
Merlin,
Stonehenge,
Crop Circles,
the Green Man,
the Lady of the Lake (grasping the sword),
the Isle of Mann,
Moon Gazing Hare,
Goddess Brigid (playing the Harp),
a pair of Ravens,
an ancient Pictish spiral Symbol.


The Scottish Unicorn and the Stag give shape to the coastlines of Scotland. An ancient Pictish symbol is embedded in the Stag's antlers.

Part of the same design, above: Ireland incorporates the Goddess Brigid, playing the Celtic Harp, emblem of Ireland, and the Moon-Gazing Hare.

An alternative version of Ireland (below), cut out of dark green paper: "The Spirit of Ireland" depicts Brigid as the Goddess of Fertility, Fire, Youth and Spring, wearing a necklace of Shamrock leaves, dancing through the interlocking shapes of the Triple Moons.
Spirit of Ireland - Goddess Brigid of the Triple MoonsTitle: Spirit of Ireland - Goddess Brigid of the Triple Moons
Medium: Scalpel paper-cut
Dimensions: Approx. 30 x 45 cm
Date: September 2014

"Dream-Catcher" - Native North America
Dream-catcher - Native AmericaTitle: Dream-catcher - Native America
Medium: Scalpel paper-cut.
Dimensions: Approx. 50 x 40 cm
Date: September 2014

Jamaica Wildlife of JamaicaMedium: Silhouette paper-cut. Cut by hand using a scalpel.

Dimensions: 9 x 6 inches

Date: October 2012

Comments:
Fiftieth birthday gift commission, coinciding with the fiftieth anniversary of Jamaican Independence.

Cut-paper silhouette map of Jamaica, featuring some of its diverse flora and fauna, including the male Doctorbird (hummingbird) with its characteristic tail-streamers.



Price: £SOLD. In a private collection in London, England.

Africa
AfricaAfrica

Medium: Silhouette paper-cut. Cut by hand using a scalpel.

Dimensions: 20 x 20 cm

Date: November 2011

Comments:
From imagination.



Price: £SOLD. In a private collection in Effingham, England.

"Vectis" (the Isle of Wight) - includes the text of a poem, as well as the well known landmarks of the Tennyson Memorial and the Needles.
Vectis (Isle of Wight)Title: Vectis (Isle of Wight)
Medium: Scalpel paper-cut.
Dimensions: 60 x 50 cm
Date: September 2014

Vectis

On yonder Vectis,
enspired by cliffs of marble white,
she sings her song,
the moan of ancient winds
that roll in grey cloaks.

Sea mist and driftwood.
Part and apart,
o'er Alum's Bay,
beyond to ocean's glass,
and Morpheus' land
of Albion.

(Poem by Mark Sheeky, 2014)

The Wildlife of the British Isles
Wildlife of the British IslesWildlife of the British Isles

Medium: Silhouette paper-cut. Cut by hand using a scalpel.

Dimensions: Approximately A4. 297 x 210 mm

Date: June 2011

Comments:
From imagination.



Price: £Not currently for sale.

Africa
AfricaMedium: Silhouette paper-cut. Cut by hand using a scalpel.

Dimensions: 20 x 20 cm

Date: June 2012

Comments:
From imagination.

Mythology and Folklore of the British Isles
Mythology and Folklore of the British IslesMedium: Silhouette paper-cut. Cut by hand using a scalpel.

Dimensions: Approximately A1. 841 x 594 mm

Date: September 2012

Comments:
From imagination.

Design incorporating the following references to the mythology and folklore of the British Isles:

Lochness Monster

Scottish Thistle

Scottish Unicorn

Irish Shamrock

Irish Harp

Dwarves

Faeries

Leprechaun

Celtic Knotwork Sun and Moon

Welsh Dragon

Mermaids

Tristan and Iseult

Pictish symbol

Witchcraft

English Lion

Druidry

English Rose

Robin Hood

Green Man

Uffington White Horse

Merlin the Wizard

Stonehenge

King Arthur

Welsh Leek



Price: £2000



Details of "Mythology and Folklore of the British Isles": In the paper-cut medium, it is essential to "join up" the various islands of the British Isles, as otherwise the design would fall to pieces. Hence, the Isle of Mann is connected to the mainland by the strands of a cobweb, which gives Robin Hood something to aim his arrow at :-)



"Unity Globe"
Unity GlobeUnity Globe

Medium: Silhouette paper-cut. Cut by hand using a scalpel.

Dimensions: 20 x 20 cm

Date: December 2006

Comments:
Inspired by the the theme of multiculturalism... This silhouette
was great fun to cut out, and arguably includes a number of personal
jokes! ;-)

Please contact Lois to purchase prints, or to commission similar work.



Price: £SOLD. In a private collection in Kesgrave, England.