Jen Urso: Cactus Mapping

When you travel to a new place, you’re most likely going to go equipped with a GPS to find your way around. Locals would probably use landmarks to help you out, but artist Jen Urso has come up with a much more unique way of navigating Phoenix. 

“There's just so many different ways of identifying yourself in a space and feeling stitched into your world that has nothing to do with what I typically see on a map.”

Inspired while on a retreat, Jen decided that she wanted to utilize notable cactus species in the area to mark different locations around the city. Not only would it help create a guide for tourists, but also help teach them and locals alike about the huge variety of succulents around the city.. 

“It would make me learn about them because I really didn't know anything about the names of different cactus…I want to know about the environment I'm in.”

One of the things Jen loves most about drawing plants is that they’re everchanging, and by putting it on paper you’re capturing a special moment in time. 

“It's so interesting, like how you interpret what you're seeing and what you put on paper. You know, plants are always growing like they're never going to be the same.”

Check out Jen Urso’s unique maps on her website.

A film by Peter Fuhrman.