ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
KENT ARTIST PROFILE
DEBBIE LEE DESIGNS
INSPIRED BY HER PASSION FOR THE OUTDOORS, DEBBIE LEE SEEKS INSPIRATION FROM HER TIME SPENT EXPLORING HIDDEN TRAILS AND POPULAR LANDMARKS ACROSS THE UK. SHE CREATES BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATED MAPS, FROM COUNTIES AND TOWNS TO INFORMATIVE SITE MAPS OF SCHOOLS AND HISTORICAL PROPERTIES, AND EACH ILLUSTRATION IS PRESENTED WITH AN IMMERSIVE, CHARACTERFUL DESIGN.
Debbie, please tell us about your artist journey so far. I’ ve been a graphic designer for the past 20 years, but during the pandemic I stopped working and spent much of my time exploring the local area with my family. It was a strange period and I began drawing maps to fill the creative gap I was missing from work. I also wanted a keepsake to capture the places we were enjoying together. I shared my first maps on social media and the business grew organically from there!
I now have a collection of illustrated maps and products that I sell on Etsy and through independent retailers; I also collaborate with businesses to create bespoke maps, while continuing my work as a graphic designer.
You create such beautiful designs; what’ s been your biggest inspiration? I have always loved a good map and am an Ordnance Survey geek! When I created my very first map of Sevenoaks it was a joy to be able to combine this passion with creativity and a touch of artistic licence. Early on, particularly with my first maps of local areas in Kent, I knew that I wanted to include plenty of nature and wildlife, as well as the key landmarks and geographical features. These are often the details that my children notice and point out and they help give a richer sense of the area, so now when they look at my maps, it feels as though we’ ve created them together.
How has your style developed over time? Whilst my style hasn’ t changed too much, my process for creating maps certainly has. I was definitely‘ winging it’ to begin with; diving into artwork without doing the necessary research upfront. I’ ve since learned the value of taking time to explore( and visit, if possible), plan carefully and sketch out everything I want to include before starting the final artwork.
Tell us about some memorable maps you’ ve created. I really enjoyed creating my Kent map as there were so many varying types of landmarks to draw and explore, from historical castles to the ultra-modern Turner
Contemporary- even the Dartford Crossing was fun to illustrate! More recently, I was commissioned to create a map of Cape Clear, a small island off the southwest coast of Ireland. It’ s actually where my grandfather grew up, so it was especially meaningful to learn more about the area and to illustrate landmarks that he would have seen and passed by every day.
What’ s next for you in 2026? I am looking forward to collaborating with more businesses to create some unique map commissions and I hope to create a map of the Lake District, focusing on the South Lakes- an area that I have been holidaying in since childhood. It will be a map highlighting my family’ s favourite walks, pubs and cake stops( although there are probably too many to list on one map!). And, even though it’ s only spring, I should also probably start planning for Christmas as the festive season is by far my busiest time of year.
debbieleedesign. com debbiedrawsmaps
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