b'colourful persontides outfor Matt ReseneDreamerW hen Matt Peacock created Tides Out Maps, he was creating a business from a deep love of the ocean. I loved being in the water when I was young, and more recently discovered scubadiving,kayakingandspearfishing.ThemoretimeIspent exploring our beautiful coastline the more my appreciation grew.Combining an engineering background and a fascination with our waters, Matt started crafting these beautiful maps, reflecting the local coastline in a multitude of beautiful Resene blues, ranging from the light and bright Resene Sail through to the depths of Resene Space Cadet.The idea for the maps was inspired by a company creating wood charts for some of the Great Lakes in the USA. I was lucky enough to have access to a laser cutter through work so started experimenting with my own designs. The first map Matt made was of his local - Waihi Beach. It was about the size of my hand and was shaded using blue colouring pencils. Weve grown a lot since then!The process has evolved since those early days where it could take months for Matt to complete a single design. Ive become a lot more efficient since then, developing systems to streamline the process, however the method is still inherently manual.Matts process starts with understanding his customers vision for their map. Once Ive got the location, Ill import the appropriate dataset into a GIS mapping software program. The time-consuming part is converting the raw data into layered files that I send to our laser cutter.Matt starts each build by using a small roller to apply two coats of a predetermined selection of Resene paints to sheets of MDF wood. Ill apply a shade of blue that corresponds to the appropriate depth of the ocean.Large sheets of masking tape are applied to the painted wood toAbove: Some of Matts favourite colours that he uses to reflect ensure the heat from the laser doesnt cause the paint to burn. Oncethe different levels of the oceans depth on his maps are Resene each sheet has been cut using the laser machine, Matt then stacksSail, Resene Seagull, Resene Submerge, Resene Resolution Blue, and glues the layers into the finished product. Resene Into The Blue and Resene Space Cadet. The maps are Tides Out Maps inception started when Matt was experimentingpainted in Resene Lumbersider Low Sheen. Matt finishes the bare timber with Resene Aquaclear to protect it.with laser cutting his maps around five years ago, though the business became official two years ago. Since then, as well as making localResene ReseneResenecoastline maps, weve made international maps including Fiji, Samoa,Sail Resolution Blue Into The BlueSwitzerland, France and Canada. Wed love to one day expand ourReseneReseneResene Seagull Submerge Space Cadetrange even further internationally.Matts maps often have a very personal touch to them. He says these are his favourite part of the job. I always try to learn about thewe made for a man who had captained the Interislander ferry for connection our customers have to the location of their map and thealmost three decades. answer is usually fascinating! Often its a crazy adventure, like theWe cant wait to see what other clever and colourful creations couple who sailed their tiny lasers from Auckland to Paihia. OtherMatt will make with Resene paints! Find more of Matts work at times its a deep connection to a place, like a map of the Cook Straitwww.tidesoutmaps.co.nz. 43'