How do I make my own map? Example of using Image

For the LD48 I wanted to make a mini map for the game. I ended up just making a map in GIMP as a Image and then putting a Quad on top of it as the player moved around. What I wanted was to be able to create the whole Image but I was not sure how to use the

Image constructor.



Does anyone have a working example of converted a array of information into a Image.



Second Question should be simple but I dont know how to do it. Is there a Canvas Type Thing for the GUINode?

If I wanted to put some 2D rectangles on my HUD.





Third Question How do I put the Nifty GUI on top of the HUD.



Thanks,

Greg