Contact
Mary Skerrett
mary.skerrett@themetwo.com
(323) 428-1114
Testimonials
"I gave the map of Tahoe to my brother for
his 53rd birthday and he loved it. It instantly started long
conversations about all our childhood adventures at the most beautiful
lake in the world. He loved the style of the map, a little
retro feel and not too busy. I have hung my map up in my family room.
Each time I pass it I think back to the wonderful summers or the
beautiful winters of my childhood and hope that someday my children will
have that same feeling about growing up here in Coeur d'Alene."
Penny B.
"I love your maps ... You have a great product."
Susan P.
"I am the Postmaster in Bayview, Idaho on the southern end
of Lake Pend Oreille and got one of your maps the minute I saw it.
People passing through my office love to look at the map and see how the lake
lays. Just wanted you to know what a hit this product is!"
Susan M.
About Us
Taken from the April 8, 2008 edition of the Coeur d'Alene Press ...
The Art of Mapping
Coeur d'Alene -- Whether it's art or map is in the eye of the viewer, but the creations of graphic artist Chris Pfeiffer are finding their way onto walls and business materials.
Pfeiffer is a Web designer for North Idaho College, and turned his technical expertise to produce a series of digital maps of lakes in the Pacific Northwest.
"I was trying to make it look as if it was done before digital software," he said.
Last summer when two Coeur d'Alene residents launched a map and art company creating maps of lakes in the Northwest, they had no idea it would be such a success.
"I was really just looking for an artistic map of Lake Coeur d'Alene and couldn't find one," said Mary Skerrett, an environmental consultant who had the initial idea to create the artwork. "My intention was not to start a business, just to get a great-looking map."
Skerrett partnered with friend and graphic artist Pfeiffer, both of whom grew up in Coeur d'Alene. Though both had left the area after college, they have since returned to Coeur d'Alene.
"It's always been home, and I think a lot of people feel that way about the area," she said.
Pfeiffer is the creative half of the duo, and Skerrett the marketing department.
"She does all the work," he said.
Lake Coeur d'Alene was Pfeiffer's first piece, and he has since done Hayden Lake, Lake Pend Oreille, Priest Lake, Flathead Lake in Montana and Lake Washington. Also planned from Washington state is Lake Chelan, as is Lake Tahoe.
The artwork has been popular with both locals and visitors alike.
"I think the reason they have been so successful is that there is this idea of sense of place which refers to a connection to an area or locale," Skerrett said. "The sense of place is very strong in Coeur d'Alene. People have roots. There is a lot of history and community pride here. Even first-time visitors feel that it is someplace special."
There has also been interest from corporate clients who have requested customization of the maps with their logos.
Boat builder Stan Craft, Century 21 Beutler & Associates real estate and Schweitzer Mountain Resort have used Pfeiffer's works for promotional materials.
The designs are available printed on heavy stock, framed, or on greeting cards.
They have been selling well at Angel Gallery in downtown Coeur d'Alene.
"They are a good representation of the area," said Patricia Kovatch, owner of the shop, who encouraged the partners to add the greeting cards and expects them to be popular with local residents.
The maps are designed to be not just aesthetically pleasing but also created with great attention to detail.
"I spend a lot of time making sure the geography is accurate," Pfeiffer said. "People want to know their favorite part of the lake is there. So far, even the old-timers say we got it right."
Skerrett is thrilled that others are connecting to the artwork the way she has.
"I have always loved looking at maps but until I started this company I didn't really understand why," she said. "Staring at a map can take you to far away places, but it can also ground you to what is close to home."