Meet the Black Country artist puting the region on the map

The 30-year-old has become known for her detailed illustrations of landmarks in the Black Country. 

Her artwork can be found at venues in and around Stourbridge, including Stourbridge Social Club, Archie's Attic Coffee Shop in Enville, the Bell & Cross in Clent and the Black Country Living Museum. 

It has also been turned into framed pictures, greeting cards, bookmarks, calendars, mugs and tea towels.

 "I’ve drawing my whole life,” says Stacy, who has become known for her detailed illustrations of maps and landmarks in the Black Country. 

"I studied art at A-level and I did an art and design foundation course at Stourbridge College,” she adds. 

Stacy went on to graduate with a degree in illustration from the University of Wolverhampton and over the years has created designs for a range of different clients as well as being commissioned for portraits and bespoke wedding stationery.

During the Covid lockdown, Stacy discovered her talent for drawing maps featuring local landmarks. 

She started with a map of the Black Country which pays homage to the area’s past, and now she has 15 in her collection, including her home town of Stourbridge as well as Enville, Halesowen and Worcestershire. 

Each map features recognisable buildings, shops and attractions as well as details from the past. 

Stacy, who works in mixed media, begins by researching the area and its history using books and internet resources including Google Earth to establish the boundaries. 

"I will sketch out the map in pencil first and then go over the top in pro markers and ink,” she explains.

 Deciding what to include on the map can be “very difficult” for Stacy who says she is spoilt for choice and enjoys delving into the history books. 

She often uses social media to ask people what buildings they think should be featured. The artist likes to include landmarks that are no longer standing but are still fondly remembered by those living in the area. 

One example is Stourbridge’s iconic former Langer's Army & Navy Stores which stood in the town for many years and has recently been recreated at the Black Country Living Museum as part of the 1940s, 50s and 60s high street. 

"I like to capture what still stands and also the history and buildings people remember from the past,” she explains. 

Stacy has also created a map of the Black Country Living Museum site, illustrating its history, which can be found on a number of different items in the gift shop. 

"This was the first commission I received that wasn’t from my family or friends so it was very special,” she explains.

In her home studio, Stacy also works from photos to create artwork of local landmarks using coloured pencils. Her collection includes The Old Wordsley Hospital, The Four Stones at the top of the Clent Hills and Mad O’Rourkes Pie Factory in Tipton. 

For 2025, she created two calendars – the Black Country and Stourbridge and the villages. Stacy loves sharing her artwork with others and the sense of community it helps to create. 

"I love being able to draw something that means so much to people and hearing their memories and stories.

 "It brings me so much joy that I’m able to make art that makes people happy,” she says. To see more of Stacy’s work, visit www.stacyhammond.com or follow her on Facebook and Instagram @stacyhammondart