User:Mapsbyhand

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 Maps By Hand

Traditional hand painted maps by Miloslav Drtina www.mapsbyhand.com

Miloslav was introduced to the world of maps at an early age, by his father, who was a cartographer and engraver in Prague, Czechoslovakia. After earning a degree in Geodesy and Cartography from the Czech Technical University, Milo spent one year in service in the Military Topographic Institute. Discharged as a 2nd Lieutenant, he worked as a civil engineer at the Geodesy Enterprise in Prague.

      Following the Soviet led invasion of Czechoslovakia in 1968, which crushed the Prague Spring liberal movement, Milo left his native city, first for Vienna, Austria and later emigrated as a political refugee to Canada. He was able to return to Prague after 21 years in exile in 1990.

    Miloslav continued his post-graduate studies while working as a cartographer in the Geography Department at the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon. He went on to professional engagements at Brock University in St. Catherines, Ontario and then with a French exploration mining company in northern Saskatchewan.

    In 1983 he became the founding member and president of Pennywhistle: Educational, Artistic & Cultural Endeavors Inc., a non-profit organization, and began a colourful and sometimes adventurous independent career in arts, theater and music.

    He has been featured on the CBC television series On the Road Again as well as the Saskatoon Star Phoenix, The Ness Creek Journal and Prairie North Magazine.   Mr Drtina's hand built home and studio at Birch Lake is set on the edge of the boreal forest of North-West Saskatchewan.