Drawing Inspiration Awards 19th March 2012

 



Michael Farady

We passed Michael Faraday who, in 1821 published his work on electromagnetic rotation, the principle behind the electric motor.  Here he holds his own circle of light.

Our destination, Two Temple Place is a magnificent building built for the first Viscount Astor, William Waldorf in the 1890's by architect John Loughborough Pearson. 

Two Temple Place is now owned by the Bulldog Trust.



Bulldog Trust

 On arrival we were greeted by the Campaign for Drawing and Big Draw Team who pointed us in the right direction for Big Draw's Little Draw. 

Surrounded by the beautiful paintings of "Amongst Heroes: the artist in working Cornwall" which is on show until 14th April 2013 and well worth a visit, I made a pierced paper, shade for a tealight in a glass jar using a process utilised by one of the other award winners and made a drawing of fish inspired by the exhibition. 

Fortunately, I have no evidence of my finished work to show here - but both were fun to do.  

Following an exploration of the building everyone made their way upstairs for the prize giving. 

Sue Grayson Ford MBE FRSA Director, The Campaign for Drawing welcomed everyone and enthused about 2012's Big Draw and thanked their very generous, supporters.

Dryden Goodwin shared his love of drawing and showed us his latest work.  The most striking of which was a series of 1,000 plus drawings he made of his five year old son breathing which were shown as an animation across the river from the Houses of Parliament. 



Dryden Goodwin

The awards were then presented.  After a short introduction about each project, accompanied by images and films the recipients were presented with their awards.  I'm very pleased to tell everyone, in her introduction to Circles of Light - Fylde, Sue refered to me as "an activist".  The last time I was very pleased to be called something, it was a Muppet but I'm assured activist is much more complimentary! 

Sue Grayson Ford & image from Circles of Light (The Big Draw in Fylde) 2012

Each section of winners were hearalded by a trumpet fanfare which was great fun, particularly in such a grand setting.

Sally Carter from The Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust presented my award which included a certificate designed by Sir Quentin Blake. 

Sue also added later via email, "I am using this opportunity to say again how grateful we are for your support of The Big Draw - and for conceiving and organising such brilliant activities in its name. I'm sure our admiration - and that of your fellow guests - was loud and clear! ...

I forgot to say half the things I meant to about how rewarding and heart-warming I found the occasion. I wanted to ask everyone to look up at the incredible frieze William Waldorf Astor commissioned for the Great Hall, where we held the ceremony. When he sat at his desk (the Hall was his office), he took inspiration from a procession of his favourite heroes and heroines (fictional and historic) above the panelling. So how apt that you - the Campaign's heroines and heroes - met in this amazing room watched over by Viscount Astor's carved and gilded figures.

As he was short-sighted the gilding helped him see them more clearly! But there the parallels end, as I could see you all, and was delighted you were able to join us."


The Great Hall


It was a fabulous day. 

I knew the Circles of Light (The Big Draw in Fylde) was successful by the responses from everyone who took part but to have its success endorsed by winning such a prestigoius award is very, very special.

Thank you.

Do check out the links in the text and below if you can.  They will tell you more about;

• Two Temple Place, an incredible building and current exhibition, Amongst Heroes: the artist in working Cornwall - 26th January - 14th April 2013
• The Campaign for Drawing 
• Drawing Inspiration Award Winners

and take you to more images on Flickr

http://www.twotempleplace.org/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Two-Temple-Place-Gallery/117307308359056 

http://www.campaignfordrawing.org

http://www.campaignfordrawing.net/the-big-draw/places-and-communities

More images