This is basically a follow up to my last couple of posts to ‘big-up’ some fantastic people doing fantastic things. I have such a fondness for Ginger Moo and The Campaign For Drawing. These are positive, community-orientated people who, as well as appealing to the ‘creative’ community, are actively encouraging and nurturing creativity in people who intimately feel that it has been lost, neglected or even never possessed at all.

Another successful day at Ginger Moo Gallery running my second event for The Big Draw 2009. There was a fantastic turn out from the public for the free drop-in workshops, with plenty of play and creativity irrespective of whether people believed it came naturally to them or not.

Friday saw the first of two Big Draw events I am running at Ginger Moo Gallery this year. With the aid of some old and new drawing toys I created, we had a day of playful drawing workshops with elderly people and their carers in the morning, and then special needs adults in the afternoon. A challenging, enjoyable and successful day of fun and creativity.

There will be more information about my new drawing toys soon. More photos of this event can be found on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasforsyth/sets/72157622659222438/

I have just confirmed a recent request to create a new project for Designersblock, that will be exhibited at Interiors 2010, held at the Birmingham NEC, UK. The theme for their show is ‘collaboration’, so I am looking forward to working with some of my favourite creatives to develop new ideas and fresh work for the beginning of 2010.

For further information see the Designersblock website: http://www.verydesignersblock.com/2009/

“Upcycling is often thought of as a refining process, the act of making something into a more elegant and acceptable form with a greater inherent value. This artistic wood table by Thomas Forsyth, cobbled together from pieces of other used tables and chairs, challenges that definition of ‘upcycle’ and suggests that there can be artistic ways to transform old objects and used materials into new and abstract household items as creative as they are useful.”

To read full article visit: http://dornob.com/upcycled-art-furniture-faux-antique-painted-wood-table/

Had a great day yesterday hanging out at Ginger Moo Gallery’s first of this months events for The Big Draw 2009.

A day in collaboration with Crawley Council to raise awareness about the impact of plastic waste has on our oceans, whilst rewiring the way many people think about drawing. There were fascinating displays and information, alongside knowledgeable members of the council. The centre piece was a large wire frame constructed within the gallery, on which the public and some of Ginger Moo’s artists set about using plastic bags as a material to draw with.

There was a great turn out for the event, with lots of good coffee and cake. Though probably my favourite moment of the day was overhearing a 6 year old kid explaining the information display to his mum. It’ll never cease to amaze me how switched on and fast-learning children can be when creatively engaged in a subject.

More Photos on Flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasforsyth/sets/72157622391431403/

I’m running a Big Draw event at Ginger Moo on 29th October, where I’ll be unveiling version 1 of a brand new drawing contraption that turns the process of drawing into a group game. Come on down and get involved.

This weekend saw the opening of Bottle art collective’s first group exhibition at the prestigious Quay Arts Centre on the Isle Of Wight, UK. A fantastic quality and range of work has been pulled together in response to the recession (some of which can be found on the Bottle blog), from artists practicing in a variety of fields such as photography, poetry, design, print and illustration.

The opening night saw plenty of interest from the public, as well as attracting a TV crew and the Isle Of Wight’s MP Andrew Turner.

Running 19th September - 2nd November 2009:

Monday – Wednesday, Friday & Saturday 9:30am – 5pm. Thursdays 9:30 – 8pm. CLOSED ON SUNDAYS

For more details see this Bottle blog page:

http://bottlecollective.wordpress.com/2009/09/10/drinks-reception-at-the-gallery/

‘Now We Are Ten’ has been an incredible celebration of the world of drawing. It has pulled together some of the worlds favourite illustrators such as Quentin Blake, Posy Simmonds, Gerald Scarfe & Paula Rego, as well as drawings by other influential people such as Sir Terrence Conran. Workshops for schools, a cartoonist battle and a charity auction have also been amongst the highlights of the past couple of weeks.

It has been reported to me that my Drawing Tops have been going down brilliantly with all ages. This has been great to hear, as I love the thought of people being able to interact and play within this fine exhibition.

There are more photos on my Flickr, and plenty more info on the Campaigns site:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasforsyth/sets/72157622424318070/

http://www.campaignfordrawing.org/home/index.aspx

Two new versions of my project ‘Fishing For Lines’ for the Campaign For Drawings’ tenth anniversary celebration ‘Now We Are Ten’. My aim was to simplify the original design, whilst creating a more functionality. For example, the new versions allow you to change the type of pen / scribe in a similar way to my Drawing Tops.

Visit Idea Generation Gallery, Shoreditch, London to have a play with these Drawing Rods, Drawing Tops and to view drawings from some of the worlds finest illustrators including Posy Simmonds, Quentin Blake, Gerald Scarfe & Paula Rego

Now We Are Ten will be running from 8th - 20th September 2009. More details here:

http://www.campaignfordrawing.org/home/index.aspx

Tonight (Thursday 27th August) sees the private view for The Decked Project at the Stolen Space Gallery off Brick Lane, London. The exhibition is due to house over 50 artists who were all asked to hand customise a skate deck. My good friend Owen Gildersleeve and I decided to team up for the exhibition (details of which you can see in the earlier post).

The private view night will be a good one, so make sure to come along for a drink and live painting by Dan Kitchener & Snub.

The Decked Exhibition will be running at the Stolen Space Gallery from 25th - 30th August.

Trying to make a simple version of ‘Fishing For Lines’ using cast-off/recycled Drawing Tops, with some functional improvements for The Campaign For Drawings upcoming exhibition. More experiment photos on Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/thomasforsyth/3859868080/in/set-72157613354975730/

Was having a look on Booooooom! last night. Turns out there’s another skateboard illustration exhibition going on ‘across the pond’, that also opens this week. Check it out, there are 50 fantastic artists, designers and illustrators involved and beautiful boards have been crafted.

The boards are being auctioned off *TODAY!!!* 25th August, for the worthy cause of disadvantaged youths in Canada, through the Contributer website. So get bidding fast while you still can!

http://www.wearecontributors.com/index.php?/ongoing/current-auction/

Graphic designer / illustrator Owen Gildersleeve and product designer / maker Thomas Forsyth have joined forces to create two hand-carved skateboard decks. The boards have been created using traditional wood-carving techniques and 100% Eco Friendly decks from British skateboard manufacturer ‘Faltown Skateboards’.

The two boards will be exhibited in the Stolenspace Gallery, London from 25th - 30th August 2009, alongside many other talented artists and illustrators work for ‘The Decked Project’.

More information can be found their websites:
www.thomasfosyth.com
www.eveningtweed.com
www.thedeckedproject.blogspot.com

Also check out the tests and experiments section on Thomas’s Flickr.

Another great day of Drawing demos, workshops and general creative fun, this time at the fantastic Ginger Moo Gallery. If you are interested in one of these for your venue, function, party etc, please don’t hesitate to drop me an email (tom@thomasforsyth.com), they’re guaranteed to keep all ages entertained and smiling. More photos on Flickr.