Artist puts SoKno on the map
It comes as no surprise to those living on the south side of Knoxville that the area is peppered with fun destinations at every corner. Exciting new businesses seem to be popping up every day all across the community.
To one local artist, those exciting locations have become the material for a creative art print of a cute, handlettered map of South Knoxville, which can be purchased and displayed in your home or office.
Paris Woodhull, age 22, created an intricate map that features all of the community’s hottest spots, including Ijams Nature Center, King Tut’s Grill, Ye Olde Steakhouse and Kay’s Ice Cream.
“I seem to have hit on something that resonates with locals,” says Woodhull, a recent graduate from an art program at The University of Tennessee. “I feel like I am making my city proud of where they live and nothing could make me happier.”
Some of the businesses Woodhull features offer a look back at historic Knoxville with old buildings like Pease Furniture and Candoro Marble. Also featured are new businesses like Honeybee Coffee, a coffee shop that has become one of Woodhull’s favorite neighborhood spots to sip “sometimes too much” coffee while researching and working on her art.
“I love to illustrate the new, the old, and the soon to come in our growing city!” says Woodhull.
She never set out to start an artistic map project, but says the idea came about organically while working at a past job. While employed at a letterpress and design studio, The Happy Envelope, she found herself hand drawing maps on wedding invitations, which has become an increasingly popular style used by modern brides.
“Everyone told me I should try my hand at illustrative map drawing and before I knew it I became enthralled,” says Woodhull. “I started obsessively drawing all of the nooks and crannies of Knoxville and haven’t stopped since.”
Woodhull has created maps for each side of Knoxville, but admits that South Knoxville is special to her.
“There is always something new to discover! Whether it’s a trail over at Ijams, the quaint houses over in Colonial Village, or the quirky antique shops that line Chapman Highway – it just feels like home to me,” says Woodhull, who loves to visit her mother’s south side home.
“I love to visit her sweet little house that's just chock full of art supplies and good conversations,” says Woodhull.
Woodhull was raised by an artistic and creative mother, who is a carpenter, seamstress, illustrator and calligrapher among other things.
“When I was a child, my mom was constantly working on an art project,” says Woodhull. “You name it, and she can do it or she will teach herself how to do it.”
When asked how she decided what locations to feature on her map, Woodhull says that the community at large has helped her choose what places are important to them. “I prefer to reach out to locals and ask what they would like to see on their map,” says Woodhull. “Let’s just face it, locals know their area better than anyone!”
For those interested in purchasing one of Woodhull’s South Knoxville art prints, they are available on her website, www.pariswoodhull.com. They can also be found at Rala, a store at 112 W. Jackson Ave. in the Old City.