The Journey of Cosmic Images

"I'm having a portrait"

2012-02-15T09:01:00.006-08:00

cosmic had his photo taken. i think he looks cool and stupid. cosmic said hey.

words by felix dye age 7
pictures by stewart girvan photography

New Drawing On Things Workshops for 2012!

2012-02-07T09:53:00.000-08:00

Throughout the year I run the popular Drawing On Things Workshops in Cornwall and throughout the UK.

These are dynamic, friendly, creative sessions and community art projects delivered by me personally to any type of group, business, school, charitable organization, event or educational facility.

There is always a huge piece of art as a result.

The focus of the Drawing On Things Workshops differs according to the needs of the group, and the desired outcome the organizers wish to achieve, but the emphasis is always the same: Positivity!

When a group of people focus on a creative task together, the group dynamic changes to one that creates. Drawing On Things workshops demonstrate how this happens in a nonjudgmental, creative environment. Learning to work like this, either as a group or alone, has massive beneficial value to all involved.

Plus! There is always a huge piece of art as a result for a centre to keep on it's walls, or individual pieces to take away and use as gifts or keep!

This year's Drawing On Things Workshops start next week in Cornwall and are happening in Cornwall and throughout the UK during the rest of 2012.

Cure your frosty blues!

2012-02-01T04:25:00.000-08:00

Halzephron Herb Farm shop, Falmouth called me up in January to come up with something to go with their winter display.

I drew the perfect Cornish sanctuary through these cold spells: a lit, real fire hearth with a mantlepiece to match the woodwork inside the shop complete with ornamental ducks, candlesticks, a clock and, if you look, there are jars of Halzephron sauces in the drawing too.

There is no reason to suffer! This shop has what you need to bust those winter chills. Go there, see Helen or Micheal, try some of the sauces waiting for you on the warmers, and hook yourself up with the herb magic!

Just being in this shop makes you feel better. Walking out, it feels like you have bouncier soles in your shoes! -Haha That sounds strange, but try it!

Slamming it on Instagram!

2012-01-12T07:30:00.000-08:00

I love film cameras. I have a small collection of lomo, smena, ricoh, canon, minolta point-and-shoots and SLRs which I've gathered over yeeeears of slowly learning how to take real photos, by trial and error!

A few of my cameras are almost rarities, but the reason I like them is just that I like using them! Unbelievable quality (when all of the factors that can go horribly wrong go right for a change) images and the strange, unplanned results which are achievable are often mind-blowing. This is great if you are patient and naturally organized.
I'm not.
I have a drawer full of used film waiting to be processed, most with no notes on them or dates when they were taken!

GET ON WITH IT

About a year ago I got told about an iphone app called Instagram, that turns your phone into a retro camera with a feature to share your pics with friends, twitter-style. I downloaded it and took a couple of pics and didn't think much about it at the time. A neat toy but not the real thing by a long shot.

Then I had another look at it towards the end of last year and the amount of people using it had rocketed! I got posting and, while I still prefer the magic of clunks, clicks and expectation that comes with using film, I have to admit that being able so share the image immediately is loads of fun!

The simple effects options on Instagram are a quick way to present your pics with a bit more atmosphere and a few unexpected results.

Are you a camera puritan? Do you do Instagram? Which do prefer? Message me.

Get Instagram here. And if you're already on it, follow: cosmicimages

Windows to the XMAS soul!

2011-12-28T11:47:00.000-08:00

Here is just a selection of this years xmas window graffiti which has taken place across the world.

Nobody knows who did it. All they know is the person responsible writes the word "Cosmic" in the corner. It's all very confusing stuff.

I hope you are having a great holiday season whatever you are doing.

See you in 2012! (More about that soon... very exciting!)

24/7 Magazine Contents Illustration

2011-12-28T11:26:00.000-08:00

In November I was asked to illustrate the contents page in 24/7 Magazine the gig and style guide from Plymouth, which has a massive distribution across all of southwest England.

This is their winter edition which is always a bit bigger and more packed than usual due to all the seasonal parties and the snowboarding season which is huge down here.

Skulls

2011-12-28T10:25:00.000-08:00

I hid a few of my skulls about Cornwall this Halloween.

Since about 2009 skull images have appeared regularly in my work. When I am drawing larger or more complicated images or doodles I tend to draw before I think (or think unconsciously instead of consciously) of what images I draw. Because of this, there is always an underlying reason for images which re-occur in my work.

With this skull motif it is no mystery to me. I have always liked the sugar skull images from Mexico's macabre but positive Day Of The Dead festival, when Mexican people celebrate the lives of their ancestors on November 1st and 2nd the day after our Halloween (not a coincidence!).
The sugar skulls and Catrinas also serve the living as a reminder of their mortality.

So, when I only have a moment and have to paint something that reflects me, I often do a skull. Over the last few years these have evolve into a sort of elephant's-foot-shaped pot!

Just like the sugar skulls, my skulls have always had a positivity about them but at the same time reflect an underlying message that nothing will last forever and that, underneath it all, every man is equal.

So, our Halloween season seems like a great time for me to get some of my skulls out there.

Bored of St Austell

2011-10-12T15:43:00.000-07:00

A skate shop in St Austell is currently moving to bigger new premises. They called me in to paint the new place before the launch, which is on 22nd October.

Bored Skate Shack now have a huge shop and in a prominent position on the main route through the town!

I have painted all over the new shop, inside and out. So it is easy to spot and hard to forget. I will upload a video soon because there is too much of it to post in photos!

The owners, Wurzel, Karen and family run the shop, with the help of some of the area's local shredders, in very unique and friendly way. They have some original ideas (eg: there is mini ramp and big screen upstairs in the new shop!).

I wish them every success! The grand opening is next Saturday (22nd October)

More news and pics to follow during the launch!

Lanson Jungle

2011-10-06T03:30:00.000-07:00

A hugely positive community project with Barefoot and people from Lanson (spelled Launceston) who work towards making their town brighter and more colourful.

The Barefoot team have dedicated the wall to Phil Lewitt. Unfortuately I never had the pleasure to meet Phil. By all accounts a local legend.

I approached this in much the same way as I do with all the Drawingonthings workshops, and drew as much inspiration as possible from everyone there and enlisted the help of everyone present to colour in! There were so many capable people at this project, ex fine-art teachers included (that's you Nev!) that we had the whole thing done in two days!

Ideas and painting by everyone present, aged from 1 to 82 years! A pleasurable experience. Thanks Lanson!

NYC!!

2011-09-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

(...Newquay Youth Centre!)

I re-visited Newquay Youth Centre to paint the walls based on ideas that had emerged from the "drawingonthings workshop" (everybody drawing whatever they wanted on the wall) I held there during an open day at the youth centre almost 2 weeks ago.

Check out the consultation doodles here!

This time it was just me painting to get the walls ready for the centre to open again in September. I tried to remain true to the lively and imaginative use of shapes, colours and imagery that emerged from the first session (which were drawn on the wooden triangular panel, and are a big part of the work! See bottom picture) and almost follow on from those first group doodles in the "drawingonthings workshop".

The major surfing and nightlife town has a bright and colourful reputation but quite often focus, in the press for example, is drawn towards the negative. Projects like this help to remind residents and visitors of all the positive aspects to Newquay.

I purposefully avoided the obvious and direct images and used the open and non-judgemental collective doodles from the "drawingonthings workshop" to dictate the content of the murals to ensure a unique and original piece that could only belong to Newquay.

Don't put a bummer on my summer!

2011-08-30T13:25:00.000-07:00

Keep bright people! This isn't the end of summer! It's maaany weeeeks awaay! So shut up moaning, go for a walk, swim, surf, get on a boat, lie down and look at the stars, eat an ice cream, have a beer, coffee, your dinner outside, have some fun! and don't even moan when it is over, not to me anyway :)x Cosmic

Skate park tees

2011-08-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

This summer I did some t-shirt designs for Mount Hawke Skatepark in Cornwall, and they are selling well! Which is good as the profits go to the large indoor Skatepark (and education/ media centre)'s fund. There are 4 limited edition designs, all intended to enhance balance, style and resistance to gravity.

Sketching ideas straight on the wall (Drawing on Things style!)

2011-08-25T04:11:00.000-07:00

Newquay Youth Centre Open Day, yesterday.

The white part of the wall is the start of where the larger art will begin throughout the room, so this is a consultation with young people who love living in Newquay and use Newquay Youth Centre or, for some, who only found out about the centre yesterday during the open day.

The art project is to express the many enjoyable and positive things about living in Newquay.

To get the ideas flowing I suggested ways that everybody could begin doodling, despite how well they thought they could draw, and the drawing didn't stop all day!

About 30 new artists added ideas, shapes and colours to the wall, including some of the newspaper photographers (who couldn't resist when I offered them the chance!).

The artwork for the main part of the wall will be done by me in September or October. And by looking at some of the ideas coming through yesterday, this will be a very creative project indeed!

Edit: Here is a link to a post with pics of the artwork completed by me, based on these sketches, ready for when the young people return to use the youth centre (after the summer holidays) later this week.

Hayle Vets Summer Fete Mural

2011-08-24T13:20:00.000-07:00

This was a really good project. The vets in Hayle, Cornwall held a summer fete for all their customers to come and meet and raise money for for the National Animal Welfare Trust and the Cats Protection League.

They booked me to paint their new mural during the same day so that their client's younger and more creative owners could help me design and paint as an extra activity during the fete. Which was a fantastic idea!

Read this→ article from The West Briton newspaper. (Make sure you scroll along to see Scampy Williams' fancy dress costume)

Drawing on Friends

2011-08-19T12:11:00.000-07:00

The recipe for this highly enjoyable creative venture is as follows...

1) Get a sharpie and remove the lid.

2) Put inky end on friends' skin and move it about.

Note: Permission from friends will vary at the same rate as their alcohol intake.

MOR artwork!

2011-07-15T07:00:00.000-07:00

MOR Surf Lodge in Newquay called me up to paint a unique mural on the front wall, which will be a 'sunset beach in the evening'.

It has amazing sunsets from the front beer garden. So, the beach, sunset, the company logo (an "O" with a 'tor' above it -from MOR, which is celtic for something) and brand, surfing and Newquay were all in the brief.

It's opening any day now. They have a board store and tons of quirky additions to make your trip 100% ace and memorable! It does look like it's going to be a very cool place.

Even if you live in Cornwall it's well worth a visit. The bar is open to non-residents and, if you're enjoying yourselves, ditch the car and get a room!

I also did a "60 second makeover" on a chest of drawers for the interior designer while I was there.

Directions: Get to Newquay, find Mount Wise (the highest road which runs along the ridge of the town from the roundabout, before south fistral, to the traffic lights, before the railway station) and look out for a massive blue and white building with this artwork on the front!

More photos, links and info to come when MOR Surf Lodge, Newquay opens to the public.

Being crafty to be fayre.

2011-07-10T02:29:00.001-07:00

Today I will be drawing on things at the craft fayre at the Riverbank in Truro. Expect spray paint designs on recycled skateboards and prints, among other stalls of knitwear, buttons and doilies. (I hope I'm joking!)

1-4 pm The Riverbank

Old Bridge Street, Truro, Cornwall
sat nav: TR1 2AQ

http://www.theriverbanktruro.co.uk/

Laser Man and Robo-Monkey.

2011-07-05T16:16:00.000-07:00

I went to the house of my friends Kurt and Sharon yesterday and painted their son's bedroom on his 5th birthday, while he was at school, for a surprise when he came home to party with friends and family.

A few weeks ago I had visited the family and the kids, Alfie and Faith had helped me to design some super heroes. Laser Man, in this scene was all Alfie's design. I just drew what he told me to.

I just heard that it surprised him again when he woke up! Brilliant.

Barefoot Finale

2011-07-05T16:11:00.000-07:00

This Saturday was the Barefoot Games Finale at the Eden Project.

I was invited to paint on a huge wall, along with with graffiti artist Mau-Mau, during the celebration of all that Barefoot Games has achieved over the past year.

There were live bands, samba dancers, drummers, stilt walkers, giant paella, us, other artists, and a whole lot more!

The Barefoot Games project only ran for a year. During this time it reached out to a vast number of young people in the area to share positive skills and help them achieve personal goals.

It was great to work with this team and, although Barefoot Games has now ended, The eden Project will continue to benefit the wider community.

Next Generation

2011-07-05T15:45:00.000-07:00

On Saturday 25th June I ran a massive drawingonthings workshop in Poltair Skatepark in St Austell as part of a Youthfest skate comp day organised by Barefoot Games and The House youth centre.

These four panels were painted by young people who wanted to have a creative outlet on the day. About 40-50 took part during the day.

This was the first day of the recent heat wave and it wasn't expected. During the skate comp there were DJ's playing and a barbecue after.

Glastonbury 2011

2011-07-01T11:58:00.000-07:00

The difference between being a visual artist at a festival and playing music is that a visual artist might be leaving before the fun starts!

The day before Glastonbury Festival 2011 opened. I was in and out of there like a flash!
I threw paint at everything I saw, got told off for graffiti-ing (a skull) in the "graffiti area", Shangri-La, too early, and was back in the sea in Cornwall minutes before the festival, in Somerset, opened to the public.

Maybe I'll take some time off and enjoy the event next time?!

(They left my skull up, by the way.)

All in all... another day on the wall

2011-06-05T10:16:00.000-07:00

Friday was the local skaters' turn to add something to the giant wall at Mount Hawke skatepark in Cornwall.

This wall is so huge that it is to be painted in sections during Drawin On Things workshops by different groups who use the skate park. See other posts on here for more.

Full of in-jokes and hidden meanings, this part of the project was a lot of fun for everyone involved. We even had a barbecue!

It was a hot day. Probably the hottest day on record, since records began, but this didn't stop this hardcore crew from completing a huge section of the wall.

CN4C what's inside?

2011-06-02T22:57:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I ran a Drawing On Things workshop to help the youth work team at CN4C (Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change) in Redruth, Cornwall create visual communication for the street outside which reflects in an instant what goes on inside their building.

There was a lot to squeeze in. This place is not only a center for youth work but also a training center for adults, employment advice, arts, hotdesks, information, community activities, a radio station and much more.

In this picture there are signs bursting out of the roof which symbolize the kinds of beneficial activities that can be found within and the whole community coming together to get the most out of the center. We also made sign boards with the same coloured background as this main board.

'Tree Milestone' skate park wall

2011-05-31T12:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, good workshop this one. Super-fast consultation last week at Mount Hawke skatepark with the group that were all set to paint this wall at their local park. It was the sort of design meeting where someone mentions a tree and it all snowballs from there.

Today I turned up at the park and helped them put their idea on the wall.

The village is called Threemilestone. It's three miles away from Truro, or something like that. One of the local mums, Kelly (an active member of the parish council) is working wonders to get all kinds of things done in this park to make it more of a user-friendly environment for the community, and getting this art wall built at the skate park area is just one of them.

An art wall is a dedicated wall for art, street art or graffiti. Some places have them free-standing which is so effective.

CN4C (Cornwall Neighbourhoods For Change)'s Simon and Sian work closely with Kelly and support her plans to make the area a more positive and vibrant place. So, when they heard of her idea for the wall, they called me in to run this Drawing On Things workshop.

New boards painted

2011-05-28T13:22:00.000-07:00

Just finished these spray jobs today on two brand new boards for Nicola Bunt, who is competing in the Sundowners Sessions comp tomorrow at Lusty Glaze Beach in Newquay.

She won it last year, so I hope she wins it this year too with my artwork! Get down there and yell things at her with encouraging tones.

Reef (who have reef-ormed:) are playing after the comp.

aaaaargghh! it's The Bruton Dragon

2011-05-22T11:32:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I went to Bruton in Somerset, about a mile from Glastonbury, and ran a Drawing On Things workshop for 8-16 year olds at the Bruton Festival of Arts which runs for over three weeks annually in this seemingly unassuming and quaint looking country village.

There are loads of activities and displays: art exhibitions, huge sculptures (see pic), even a writing sweatshop (which sounded amazing).

The organizers wanted to arrange something which could get the young people involved and had got in touch with me.

There were about 12 young people involved all at the same time. It was held in the garden of the local pub called "The Castle" and just down the road was this giant dragon sculpture. So we had our theme!

This workshop was fantastic and the preparation before I had arrived was first class (see pic) there was even a tarp ready to pull over the painting if it rained.

Bruton Festival of Arts is well worth a look. The village is a warm, friendly hive of creative activity. If you are anywhere near Somerset at all, call in!

Window Sign and Air-Con Robot

2011-05-22T11:10:00.000-07:00

Years ago this bar was a juice bar called Quench and when it began to have gigs and sell beers it was re-named Qbar and the name stuck, despite having new owners and becoming a hugely popular bar.

On Friday I set up a makeshift easel in the street and painted some characters having a conversation about the bar to go on the backs of the seats in the window.

When I finished this it only seemed right to give the brand new, white air conditioning unit quick make-over too!

A new wave

2011-05-19T15:34:00.000-07:00

My studio was dark.
I flicked a light switch on,
as I entered.

Bulb buzzed and sparked,
as it cracked alight,
sending smallest puffs of
dust
to fall from the fitting.

Shadows crept away, lazily,
from corners.

Yellow light,
pulled dark air in,
in a second.
Nobody had been there.

All over the walls,
books sat heavily.
And sugged
at the benchy shelves.

© Cosmic 2011

Tattoo table tops

2011-05-18T00:41:00.000-07:00

The Q bar, Falmouth yesterday (just over a year since I re-designed the bar and drew all over the walls and tables). I carried the tables outside and stacked them on their side, revealing the design that had been on them for a year, and got to work re-painting them.

The owner, a couple of customers and some passers by got involved too.

Somewhere in Newquay...

2011-05-11T03:47:00.001-07:00

Very tasty

2011-05-10T07:41:00.000-07:00

Wine.

Beachbeat Demo Centre

2011-05-10T07:36:00.000-07:00

Try before you buy... with no obligation.

Call in and ask at Aggie Surf Shop, St Agnes, Cornwall http://www.beachbeatsurfboards.co.uk/

Quick! Banner

2011-05-07T02:57:00.000-07:00

So, a couple of hours before last weeks gig we were sitting outside and topping up on some much needed r+r,

when I realize that GET STONED with Cosmic Jagger and friends don't have a backdrop!
We did have a banner, but I slightly remember giving it away one night and resolving to myself to make another one.

Someone commented that I didn't have enough time to do one before the gig.

Fifteen minutes later it was done.

Quiksilver Welsh Nationals 23-24 April

2011-04-27T11:20:00.000-07:00

Great people, great weather, great surf, very great comp... and some guy painting on everyone's stuff!

The Edusk8 crew do another bit on the wall

2011-04-21T00:54:00.000-07:00

And this time, it's personal!

This week the Edusk8 crew got to do the second session of the big front wall at Mount Hawke Skate Park in Cornwall. To read about the first session and Edusk8 at Mount Hawke click here.

We took a slightly different approach this time. To warm up, we doodled. Ten of us drew whatever we felt like drawing, with a variety of marker pens, on our own sheets of card for well over an hour. Amazingly, most of this was in complete silence. They needed hardly any prompting.

We wanted to create something that had a peice of it created by each of us. And we came up with an idea for a totem pole-type image. or a totem pile, as someone suggested.

So we played the surrealist's game Exquisite Corpse with a theme of a totem pole, but with ten pictures rotating round the table simultaneously.

Then we all chose our favourite peice from the ten finished pictures and stuck them together so we each had designed a peice of the image.

After some lunch, we went out into the bright sunshine (and the hottest car park in the history of mankind!) and painted it on the wall.

Young artists at CN4C activities day.

2011-04-15T01:34:00.000-07:00

Cornwall Neighbourhoods for Change (CN4C) is a tenant led regeneration organisation tackling issues connected with social conditions and the local environment.

Yesterday they held a massive activities day at the Astro turf pitch in Penzance for local young people from some of the more disadvantaged communities in the area.

A drawingonthings workshop was on hand for the creative and discerning.

We had a huge sheet of tarpaulin as a roof, just incase the rain (which was sitting in huge dark clouds above us the whole time) actually fell.

So, the theme for the workshop was "outdoors".

I helped a bit with some outlines and details but all of the designs and ideas were from those taking part and all of the colouring was completed by them too!

Amazingly, the rain held off until we were packing up.

There was a huge amount of effort from the young people involved plus a lot of laughter and serious skill development! Vibrant results like this highlight the importance of art activities in everyday life.

The artwork is to be hung in the CN4C offices in Redruth.

Edusk8 crew kick-start giant wall project!

2011-04-14T14:09:00.000-07:00

Mount Hawke Skatepark outside walls, Day 1: Edusk8...

Part of the secret of Mount Hawke's success is the education facilities. The world famous rural Cornish skatepark has a great set-up for young people, who would otherwise not be in education, employment or training of any kind. They call this side of the skatepark 'Edusk8'.

This year I will be helping various groups of people who use the skatepark to decorate the massive blue wall in the front car park. The Edusk8 crew went first and his project leapt into action on Tuesday this week.

We had mammoth doodle collaborations in the conference room first and then went out and continued on the wall. Everybody who was there took part and many had never used spray paint before and quite a few were telling me they couldn't draw when we started.

We got so much done in one day. I was amazed at how fast everybody worked!

Skate Artwork Barefoot Games Skate Comp 2011

2011-04-11T23:27:00.000-07:00

Yesterday at the Eden Project's Barefoot Games skate and scoot comp at Mount Hawke Skatepark:

This minute 100s of newly spray-painted skateboards and scooters are flying round the streets and skateparks of Cornwall!

The Door Of Perception came too, capturing important ideas, doodles and visual imagery from the skaters, which were then painted on their skates and scoots.

Introducing: The Door Of Perception!

2011-04-01T03:39:00.000-07:00

This is a new drawingonthings workshop where spontaneous doodles are drawn on a freestanding door by any number of people present.
Sounds simple. But, is it?

Yesterday I took"The Door Of Perception" to The Eden Project's EDEN CAFE in St Austell's new White River Place for local young people visiting the cafe to draw on as part of a Barefoot Games workshop. The ideas and images that emerge will be discussed and used in further community projects and activities.

Why "Door Of Perception"?
Since William Blake inscribed the immortal lines in his poem The marriage of Heaven and Hell into a slab of molten granite on top of a ferocious volcano somewhere around the dawn of time, man has held the humble door as a totem symbol of our understanding of the universe. Blake:

"When the doors of perception are cleansed, man will see things as they truly are, infinite."

Author and creative adventurer Aldous Huxley read Blake during his A-levels in the 1940s, and used the term for the title of a book in the 50's. Rumor has it that he gave a copy of his book to a young Jim Morrison at a party on Venice Beach ten years later.

Jim was looking for a slogan at the time as he had recently began printing t-shirts with ink and a simple silk screen press he had bought from Andy Warhol who was recently at Venice on his summer vacation from New York.

Jim went on to sell thousands of CLEAN THE DOORS t-shirts to people on the beach that summer. The slogan had CLEAN written in small, red letters and THE DOORS in big, bold, black capitals underneath.
A somewhat bizarre motto for a celebrated "genius" to come up with, but the hippies loved it!

Anyway, to cut a long story short, the red ink Warhol had sold Jim was a dodgy batch he had made while experimenting with tomato soup, and it faded in the sun!

Morrison was in an unknown band at the time called The Chairs, and they were going nowhere, fast! When the band were looking for a new name, keyboard player Ray Manzarek pointed to the hippies walking round in t-shirts with just THE DOORS written on the front in bold, black helvetica font... and the rest is history.

So it seemed to me perfect sense to carry a phrase with such lineage forward into a new era.

It's a Laser thing!

2011-03-23T05:00:00.000-07:00

In Penryn, Cornwall there is a hidden laser tag arena called Laser Storm in an indistrial estate.

It's not so hidden now that I've drawn all over the wall of the entrance. It's a good laugh too. The artwork is based on a space ship/ time machine/ zombie detector. You don't that many of them these days. I thought it was best to leave the theme open to allow people's imagination room to make up their own games. Inside is very dramatic, but you do need to go with the right zombies and space adventurers!

Head for Asda at Penryn and follow the signs for Raze The Roof (a kids play centre), inside you will find this. It's £2 a game, no need to book.

NEW!! The 'C' Board!!

2011-03-23T03:59:00.000-07:00

Ahh... remember the old 'A' board, a firm marketing tool and a national treasure!

For centuries businesses and establishments have scrawled messages on 'A' boards to inform passers-by of unbeatable deals to be found within.

Sir Francis Drake may have been the first person to introduce this method of advertising to the UK. While at sea, Drake would write a message on a trap door on in the ships deck and prop it open with a mop or broom, probably.

"Warning, Trap Door" is rumored to be the first ever message.

The 'C' Boards are a traditional business favorite with a contemporary twist.

Despite it's heritage, however, these strong wooden advertising heroes are hard to find in the 21st century.

That is until 2011 when an artist in St Agnes developed the 'C' Board on a beach in Cornwall. Cosmic spent hours researching and designing the 'C' Board to be the perfect marketing tool to catch the right kind of attention.

Standing at nearly 1.5 metres tall and painted in vibrant colours, the 'C' Boards stand out even in a busy street. Stronger, bigger and more colourful than the Golden Hind itself!

Prices begin at £200 for the plain 'C' Board including delivery within Cornwall. Courier service for rest of UK.

Artwork provided. Can be delivered with artwork completed within Cornwall and can be updated as often as required. Call to discuss requirements and prices.

Call Cosmic on 07970 307908 and order your new 'C' Board today!

Tide Clock

2011-03-18T05:54:00.000-07:00

Essential for every modern pirate, fisherman or deep sea diver.

the first Sick Stickks of 2011

2011-03-14T02:55:00.000-07:00

Brand new boards with some paint thrown at them.

Bullseye!

2011-02-25T14:58:00.000-08:00

The big blue phone with a capital C on it was flashing in the studio. The bell is so loud on that thing, the ringing is almost deafening! I hopped off the treadmill and swiftly lifted the heavy receiver. "Speak." I muttered down through the voice modulator.

"Is that Cosmic Images!!?" someone yelled on the other end of the line. "Zafiros bar in Truro have a new darts board as part of their celebration of being the modern traditional local pub in the city. They need your help, and fast!!"

That was two weeks ago last thursday. So today I visited them and painted something cool enough to protect the walls from hip city-dwelling darts, yet with enough laid back and traditional appearance to not seem out of place with a few felt caps and some knitting going on in the bar, should that ever happen.

The board is a protective material which loves darts.

Cornwall College Cosmic Corridor Collaboration

2011-02-23T08:15:00.000-08:00

The corridor to The Treg, which leads from the canteen, needed brightening up. "Call Cosmic!" someone yelled.

The Treg is the common room at Cornwall College St Austell campus. To find it you have to navigate a short cellar-like route of corridors with plain white walls, a complete contrast of the atmosphere to be found once you are there.

This place has doors leading out to a garden, pool taples, ping-pong, advice and services, info on parties and is place to chill out during breaks from studies and lectures. In other words, the most important area of the college!

I visited the college during the first part of the term to meet students, and staff, to ask them what images they thought I should aim for. It soon became clear that I would have help from both students and members of staff.
During the consultation it became apparent that The Treg might one day move location so another part of the college, so we decided to do the artwork on boards which could be hung in the corridor and moved with the Treg if it ever changed location.

So, during the consultation we painted an octopus, a dragon and the student union logo made up of fish and waves on a large decorated board hanging on the wall inside the Treg itself. I was starting to understand that there would be some very interesting ideas to work with on this project.

I left some sheets of paper blutacked to the wall to collect more ideas and returned this week (during half term) and, with the help of students and staff created the images to be hung in the corridor.

I will add another post with pics when they are hung.

St Ives

2011-02-12T04:23:00.000-08:00

A new skate/surf shop in St Ives, Cornwall

GIG! The Winter Scene 2011

2011-02-07T16:16:00.000-08:00

Last chance Truro

2011-02-05T16:11:00.000-08:00

The large flower and garage doors in Truro may soon be removed.

Jane Adele Flowers have moved premises to the sunny surf-laden shores of Porthtowan.
Their old building is ready for new tennants. So, it is most probably the last chance to get a peek at this stuff.

DRAWING ON THINGS at Mount Hawke Skatepark, Cornwall

2011-01-15T16:35:00.001-08:00

A group of ultra creative young skaters worked on this with me. All the images are their ideas and choices.
Plus a few of my skulls (eg: on the door), with their permission!

None of the young people had any experience with spray paint beforehand, and most of the colouring in this is their work!

twenty eleven

2011-01-03T23:22:00.000-08:00

Good morning and welcome to the year two thousand and eleven!

quik: we need a card!

2010-12-31T11:20:00.000-08:00

There is so much from this year that I haven't had time to post up, including this greeting that Quiksilver sent out for their 2010 card.

magazine backdrop

2010-12-30T12:57:00.000-08:00

I was sent this the other day by a friend. It's an interview in 'oh comely' magazine of Nat Rigby, a chick who makes jewellery out of old skateboards.

If you were wondering who had scribbled all over the walls and tables, the "Cosmic'10" signature might give you a clue!

The place is Qbar, in Falmouth's exclusive "Moor" area.

Thanks to Caroline Pedler for sending the article.

Aggie Surf Shop

2010-12-22T06:33:00.000-08:00

Aggie Surf Shop, the coolest surf shop in St Agnes (...apart from Mary's! ) had an evening of reggae, mulled wine and mince pies last week.

During this lavish seasonal knees-up a local artist squeaked about on the window to create a bit of xmas surfing joy and share a message about their very cool 10% off xmas special offer! which, I believe, is still on.

Get down there! and buy Gran that Sex Comb she's always wanted! Offer applies to anything in the shop including boards, vids, clothing, wetsuits, and accessories.

Biggest window this year.

2010-12-22T05:45:00.000-08:00

A week after gate-crashing part 3 of their staff party day (a private screening of Tom and Jerry and The Goonies!!) came the date the Qbar had booked me in to complete my biggest window art project of 2010.

The Qbar is arguably Falmouth's unofficial bohemian headquarters. Perched amongst banks, the towns main post office and estate agents in the cosmopolitan Moor area, the bar shows how Falmouth has a very prominent 'underground' culture.

This year I designed the recent re-fit and new funiture, (and then attacked the place with a few hundred cans of spraypaint) but that's not the only reason why I like the bar!

Find it: On the Moor (paved area by the banks) in Falmouth, Cornwall.

Finn Mc'Cool's

2010-12-16T03:36:00.000-08:00

Finn McCouls Irish pub in Falmouth is one of the only decent and wholesome dens of debauchery left in Cornwall.
Their live music nights really go off, and include all the local great live acts (Ryan Jones, Winter Mountain Band, Al Jones...) touring bands and a weekly jam night with one of the UK's greatest drummer/compares Gerry Gillard.

Gerry buys you drink if you get up and sing, and two if you play an instrument.

Helen, of 'Finns" is a great landlady and, despite almost losing her Irish accent over the years, always has the open fire going and a warm Irish welcome for all.

Plus, they've had a bit of art too.

Find it: You can't miss it.

The Truro walk of fame

2010-12-16T03:19:00.000-08:00

The Office nightclub and Zafiros in Uptown Truro this year...

The Office nightclub has cartoons of all the staff as characters from the movies (which are now their facebook profile pics), and their sister bar, Zafiros, has the christmas characters, Santa, Rudolf and all the elfs dressed up as their favourite Hollywood stars ...oh year, and C3PO and R2D2 iceskating.

Find: The Matrix Snowman!

The Office nightclub and Zafiros are a great couple of family-run bars in Truro and are well 'geared-up' for this season.

Mariocart away your xmas shopping blues

2010-12-16T02:55:00.000-08:00

Loading retro games cafe in Falmouth is a great place. Check it out: They have retro games consoles always on that are free to use and an arcade table, with loads of space invaders type games and even double dragon. Hot drinks to sit and play or takeaway (James, you can use that line if you like!), snacks (great paninis) and a licensed bar!

Oh, and a bit of xmas art work on the window! ;)

Find it: ...Turn left by the bookshop before you get to Trago's.

Web:... Loading Website

"How's everybody, the wife?"

2010-12-10T10:19:00.000-08:00

The time I spend drawing on this barbers shop in Falmouth is a great way to launch into the holiday season. It was still November when I did Terry's this year, and the customers all share their plans for christmas.

Nearly everybody who takes to the seat gets asked "How's everybody, and the wife?". Terry is a drummer in a blues rock band and there are always musicians popping in... The guy with the guinness (and a cuupa for Terry) in the picture is Viv, the guitarist in Terry's band.

Movember 2010

2010-12-09T01:11:00.000-08:00

With less than 24 hours to go before the event, I was asked to do these illustrations by Bacardi for the Movember party in Newquay last month.

Coming soon... pictures of this year's Xmas window artwork!

2010-12-05T14:55:00.000-08:00

Lots of windows already completed this year. Pics coming soon!

Media Poppy

2010-12-05T13:37:00.000-08:00

M-Mad Media in Launceston, Cornwall last week: "Call Cosmic! We need a huge poppy on the wall to represent the creativity springing forth from this place!"

M-Mad Media Centre in Launceston's is a community media studio developing projects with and by young people and is a vibrant hub of creativity in an otherwise very ordinary looking cornish industrial estate.

The 'bosses' (although I am pretty sure they wouldn't describe themselves as such) Krystyna (pictured above) and husband Pete have done a fantastic job to put this studio together, mostly funded by themselves!
There is a fully operational recording studio, all kinds of film and editing equipment and a blue screen for the young people to access for their projects for personal creativity, commissions or for work towards arts awards.

It was a real pleasure to visit the studio, witness a production taking place and create this peice of work for them.

For more info: contact M-Mad Studio.

Exhibition

2010-11-25T04:13:00.000-08:00

The new Art Extravaganza exhibition is on at The Riverbank in Truro. Last night was the opening bash with live music from Kaj Skjervic.

Here is some of what's in store from one artist showing in the exhibition (me!!). See more of my work in there.

Enjoy it if you go!

Cosmic

Edit: This is actually my first exhibition, believe it or not, to commemorate it I made a "cake"...

REMEMBER REMEMBER

2010-11-03T12:47:00.000-07:00

I'm holding a drawingonthings demo/workshop at The Eden Project this Friday 5th November from 7pm - 9pm, as part of the Barefoot Boutique and Arts Cafe.

The Eden Project will be open to the public and the setting sounds absolutely unreal! The 'Time Of Gifts' has started (ice rink!).

Halloweendow

2010-10-29T17:54:00.000-07:00

Today I popped down to Falmouth and drew on a window.

The Q Bar is an ex-juice bar (called Quench before it got an alcohol license) these days it serves Falmouth's more discerning bohemian and hedonistic customers.

Every halloween they really go to town with fancy dress and even dress the bar from top to bottom along with theme. This year (tomorrow night) it's a "Rock n' Roll Macabreret" with a twisted circus theme complete with punk acrobats, jugglers and magicians.

Earlier this year the "old bar" that the loyal customers loved but was showing signs of age so they asked me to design and commission some furniture, develop a modest colour scheme and paint all over the walls (see earlier posts tagged: qbar).

The walls are a continued project and a huge source of interest and discussion for the staff and diverse range of customers. I am due down there very soon to add more!

The bar is located on the moor in Falmouth (opposite the post office) and the window painting will be on until this Sunday (1st Nov).

Big wall in Nottingham

2010-10-13T04:55:00.000-07:00

Angels By Day nursery in Nottingham. This project took a week, with a return journey from Cornwall, all initial sketching and layout and full consultation and ideas from the children at the nursery included in that time.

The nursery is a Montessori nursery which uses the educating methods of Dr Maria Montessori from the research and discoveries of what she referred to as "the child's true normal nature" in the early 20th century. Applying this method involves the teacher in viewing the child as having an inner natural guidance for his or her own perfect self-directed development.

It was an amazing experience and the result is a mixture of the children's own ideas (some of which were called out to me as I painted them on the wall) and criteria from a foundation brief set out by the very cool and enthusiastic nursery management and staff.

Here is a video which gives a walk-about view of the whole wall.

whale

2010-10-05T12:08:00.001-07:00

A friend of mine is about to return home any minute now to find a new addition to his back garden...

Style Spotting Some Santa

2010-09-30T01:38:00.000-07:00

An occupational hazard for me is drawing Santa. Between now and just before I collapse on Christmas eve I will have drawn 100's of all of our favourite holiday characters. Most of them jolly bearded chaps with red outfits!

So to keep it interesting for everybody (including me) I like to draw them using various styles, and see if people still notice it was me that drew them. See how many you can spot this year!

I did this one yesterday, it can be found at The Riverbank, Truro:

Shutters!

2010-09-28T13:47:00.000-07:00

Following a 12 metre long wall I painted at Treneere estate in Penzance, is this project to paint the shutters of the Neighbourhoods Together Partnership office.

The sign still has the old name of Treneere Together Partnership. These guys (actually girls) work tirelessly to transform and improve the estate and provide a place to drop by and get things sorted.

The design was the result of discussions with residents about what they wanted to go on the shutters. Everybody agreed that a map would be both decorative and informative.

After I finished it yesterday, almost everybody who passed it pointed out where they live on it.

New drawingonthings Tumblelog!

2010-09-16T05:59:00.001-07:00

Tumblelog: Very few words for each post and maybe a multimedia file.

Sounds good to me, so i started one! here

http://drawingonthings.tumblr.com/

Invinci-Ball Artwork!

2010-09-09T12:42:00.000-07:00

Surfers Against Sewage have a Cosmicphone in their office too.
Last week, Just minutes before the SAS Ball 2010 was due to begin, there was an emergency. People were about to descend on the eco park at Porthtowan to party, quite literally, like superheroes and... there was no art in the whole place!

"Only one thing for it..." thought Hugo Tagholm, Chief Commissioner of Gotham Beach and Director of the St Agnes based environmental pressure group, Surfers Against Sewage.

"...This is a job for Cosmic Images!" he yelled, and reached for a red 1960s dial phone which was inside, what can only be described as an up-turned fish bowl, on top of a plinth.

A silver letter "C" with a small "i" in it was the only 'number' on the dial, (it was where the "9" would've been on a regular phone)... TBC

FINISHED ARTWORK PICS TO FOLLOW (when i find the wall and TAKE SOME!!)

"SAS represents all recreational water users in the UK, from surfers and sailors, through to bodyboarders and windsurfers. The campaigns protect the coastal environment for all to enjoy, and promote a clean and safe water environment for people to enjoy and practice a wide variety of sports that rely on these marine resources." - www.sas.org.uk

First Santa of 2010 (In August!)

2010-08-27T11:12:00.000-07:00

November Update: Recent weather conditions in Cornwall has lead to a rise in concern for fictional holiday celebrity cut-outs and I was called in to give Santa some warm clothes and friend!

From August 2010:

In case there is any confusion, it isn't Christmas! (A lot of people who saw this today commented exactly like this: "Christmas, already?")

The Riverbank in Truro has some amazing deals with their Xmas parties this year. Manager Phil Willey knows I get busy at close to the festive season and had the good sense to reach for the 'Cosmic Phone' he had installed in his office.

"Cosmic! We need your help!" He screamed.

I hung up the phone, shot down the Cosmic Pole and immediately flew out of the Cosmic Cave, in the Cosmicmobile, on course for Truro.

Within four minutes I had designed, painted and finished the fattest Surfing Santa in all the land.

And the world was saved.

(Story may be slightly embellished for dramatic effect. ...might have something to do with the super hero theme of the SAS ball, creeping up just a week from today!)

Quiksilver British Surf Championships at Fistral Beach

2010-08-26T01:04:00.000-07:00

I am a special guest artist at this years British Surf Championships at Fistral Beach this weekend:

"Over the Bank Holiday weekend, Quiksilver are proud to present the Quiksilver British Surf Championships at Fistral Beach, Newquay, England. The annual event will be held over the Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday 28th to Sunday 29th August 2010) where the best surfers across Britain, including Russell Winter (former European champion), Alan Stokes (U.K. Tour Champion), Toby Donachie (former British champion) and current British junior champ Luke Dillon, will be competing to win titles in the British Men’s Open. Gibson Guitar has once again generously donated a Gibson Les Paul Studio guitar as the champion’s trophy.

This year, Quiksilver’s presence, down on Fistral Beach, will be joined by Gibson Guitar, Roxy, DC and Monster Energy Drinks. DC & Monster Energy will keep the crowds entertained between heats with demos on the Monster Energy skate ramp. Demoing for the weekend will be DC, Monster Energy, and Quiksilver Pro Skaters, including Pete King, Sam Bosworth, Dan McDermott, Sam Pulley and John Bell.

To complete the Gibson experience, the Gibson Guitar Tour Bus (one of only four in the world) will be parked exclusively on Fistral Beach over the Bank Holiday weekend and will provide a media hub, hospitality and a place to relax for Gibson's special guest artists, bands and all participating surfers."

www.quiksilver.co.uk
www.gibson.com

Update: 'Protect Our Waves' Quiksilver/ Surfers against sewage Limited Edition Tee By Cosmic

2010-08-25T00:58:00.000-07:00

I am very pleased to be involved with this project. They are selling like very hot and very tasty hot cakes, apparently.

Remember it is a Limited Edition, the proceeds go to a very worthwhile cause and they're sik tees! So, get them while you can. Below is a list of shops selling the tees and online shop links.

"To celebrate the 20th anniversary of SAS, Quiksilver has joined forces with Surfers Against Sewage to release a limited edition t-shirt to be sold in a select number of surf shops around the UK and Ireland this summer. The limited edition t-shirts have been designed by St Agnes based surfer and artist, Cosmic. He knows the importance of respecting the environment and is actively involved in national and local community art projects. Most recently his work has featured in Carve magazine.

This T-shirt is is 100% organic cotton"

Here are some links and online shops (there are more):

Quiksilver
surfersvillage
Facebook page
andila.co.uk
bg stores
vanityclothing

urbanstore1

..and a list of participating shops:

FULL LIST OF STORES:

Boomerang, Southport: www.boomerangboardwear.com
City Surf, Cardiff: www.citysurfshops.co.uk
Devilwear, Durham: www.devilwear.co.uk
Dive & Ski, Jersey: www.cisurf.com
Magicseaweed: www.magicseaweed.com
Ocean Sports, Brighton: www.boardriders.co.uk
Quiksilver Surf School Newquay: www.quiksilversurfschoolnewquay.com
Quiksilver Store, Barnstaple: www.lesportsurf.com
Quiksilver Store, Bristol: www.quiksilver.co.uk
Quiksilver Store, Cardiff: www.quiksilver.co.uk
Quiksilver Store, Carmarthen: www.quiksilver.co.uk
Quiksilver Store, Covent Garden: www.quiksilver.co.uk
Quiksilver Store, Llenelli: www.quiksilver.co.uk
Quiksilver Store, Newquay: www.quiksilver.co.uk
Quiksilver Store, Regent Street: www.quiksilver.co.uk
Quiksilver Store, Truro: www.quiksilver-truro.co.uk
Surfdome: www.surfdome.com Shore, East Wittering: www.shore.co.uk
The Loop at Retallack Resort, St Columb Major: www.surftheloop.co.uk
Tribe, Dublin (Ireland): www.tribe.ie
Troggs, Northern Ireland: www.troggs.com

Thanks for supporting the cause!

Cosmic

Florists Delivery Machine

2010-08-24T08:05:00.000-07:00

I thought there was already a picture and a blurb about this on my blog but can't find it. So here it is...:

Painted for Jane Adele Flowers in Truro a couple of weeks ago. Free reign, I just had to mention the name of the shop ...and paint something relevant.

Poltair Skatepark

2010-08-18T05:02:00.000-07:00

The House is a genuinely unique youth centre in St Austell, Cornwall. They are situated next to a skate park with ramps and features specifically designed for street skating. The designers also put in a wall for graffiti and street art and I was invited to paint on it this week by The House and Cornwall Council and make a permanent feature and benefit to the park.

I managed to get a great group of young people who hang out at The House and the skate park to help me prepare the wall for painting (quite hard work) and, as we scraped off paint and sanded the wall and enjoyed visits from the press, we talked about ideas and images to go on it.

The image is a response to the subject of the need for peace and respect. The planet shows that the issue is worldwide. There is a question mark in the eye/moon because there are questions in the picture. Some questions we couldn't answer so we decided to leave a majority of the picture open to interpretation.

They didn't mind the hard work at all, and it was hot on Monday!

On tuesday I got there at 5am to start so I could get a lot done before the park got busy but it was raining and it wasn't very interesting work waiting for the rain to stop! Luckily the Mayor of St Austell, Jill Trewhela, turned up with bacon sandwiches, flasks of tea and hot chocolate and great conversation.

The House opened at 10 and I got the chance to develop the ideas with some Monday's team and meet the DJs and dancers who were doing workshops there that day.

Finally got to start painting the wall at around 12pm and heard more press were on the way so I drew the outlines and gave everyone colours to paint, even the Mayor got involved with the painting and took lots of pictures. By the time the press arrived there was a lot of the image on the wall.

Great teamwork!

drawingonthings workshop: in Roche

2010-08-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

Young People Cornwall put on days Called "Youth Fest" during the summer. This one at Roche, yesterday, had live music, DJs, MCs and cakes, burgers and a "Drawing On Things" workshop!

We used spray paint to create graffiti style pieces to hang on the wall. The project, theme, idea, message, content, colours, and 99% of the work came from these young people. I just helped them do it.

Tappy float for Aggie Carnival '10

2010-08-09T12:21:00.000-07:00

I gave local pub and bistro The Taphouse (the Tappy) some help with the decor for their float for this Saturday's Carnival in St Agnes.

The theme was 'Hip-Hop' and they had a DJ and some break dancers to perform behind the float. So I did the panels in different graffiti styles to go along with the theme. The dancers good but I was more keen on taking pics of my artwork as I hadn't taken any when I painted it so i've cut a lot of heads off in my shots (...either that or it was something to do with the amount of rattler being consumed!).

The day went really well and this float drew a lot of interest, especially when they stopped to do their party peice outside the pubs by rolling a mat out and having an 80s style breakdance-off.

Carve Magazine Illustration

2010-08-04T23:43:00.000-07:00

This month my first illustration for Carve is published!

Carve is a great surf magazine, been going for donkies' years and is a cornerstone of British surfing.

I am very proud and pleased to be illustrating for them.

Your local newsagent should have some copies. If he doesn't, bug the s*** out of him til he does!

Tony Hawk show

2010-07-25T00:28:00.000-07:00

(skateboard star and legend Tony Hawk)

This week I met Tony Hawk! It has been almost a year since I got sponsored by Quiksilver. During this time I have been drawing at shop openings, painted surfboards, skateboards, drawn all over trade show stands with spraypaint, released a limited edition tee, drawn at comps and festivals so obviously I meet pro surfers and skaters at these events.

This week I was invited to Brighton to watch the Tony Hawk and Friends show which Quiksilver had organised on the seafront and I met the man himself, biggest legend of skateboarding who has been at the top since I started skating in 1984-85.

Tony Hawk was really cool to talk to (considering he was to skate in front of thousands ten minutes later) and when I told him the story of St Agnes needing a skatepark he insisted on supporting the cause!

There was a free bar in the vip area and an after party which got pretty loose at a club up the seafront. There was some amazing art, with huge murals in the smoking quad painted mostly in spray paint. and four huge wooden sculpture figures perched high up on a roof.

Kevin Staab is also a proud ambassador of the St Agnes Skatepark!

(skateboard star and legend Kevin Staab)

All the music on the day was good, the DJ at the beach played the most classic anthems of skateboarding culture over the last 1000 years including Black Sabbath, Iggy and the Stooges, Ramones, Black Flag etc, as the two american compares kept everybody hyped up. Then Maximo Park took to the stage, I hadn't seen them live before. Their show was energetic and they went all out to entertain. The DJ at the after party played some unreal dub, hip-hop and electro funk.

The whole day was amazing, Quiksilver had pulled it together and the whole event ran really well. The level of skateboarding ability was insane and it must've been a really inspiring show for any young skaters there.

A drawingonthings workshop sponsored by Cornwall Fire Brigade.

2010-07-13T15:12:00.000-07:00

Dracaena Youth Centre, Falmouth. Sunday 11th July 2010

MP Sarah Newton, Cornwall's Chief Fire Officer Des Tidbury, and almost 100 young people from 5yrs upwards took part in covering this wall with graffiti (not all at once) to help share the important message of road safety during a massive fun day at the youth centre in Falmouth last Sunday.

Other activities included an alternative petting zoo (with tarantulas and lizards), a funfair, bbq, football tournament, skate, bmx and scooter comp, and archery.

All the young people that took part on the wall took the theme seriously and all of the slogans are theirs. I wrote a few, but I was being dictated to. Graffiti artist 'SIN' turned up and did a peice with a road safety message too.

The result was very successful and enjoyable day for everybody involved, as well as carrying a very important message.

This painting existed for half an hour before the fire brigade tore it apart!

2010-07-12T09:30:00.000-07:00

Dracaena Youth Centre, Falmouth. Sunday 11th July 2010

Ok, this is graffiti style. But I still had permission! ...and lots of fun. I was doing a big drawingonthings graffiti-esque workshop with spray paint and a wall provided by the fire brigade. Before I did that though, the fire fighters were going to demonstrate how to free somebody trapped in a car and wheeled this little Vauxhall Corsa into the baksetball court. I saw my chance, and took it!

I had about ten minutes to paint the car it before they closed off the basketball court. I painted "drive safe!" and a skull, with his hand on a steering wheel painted on the windscreen, a CCTV camera with a tear coming from the lens on the rear of the car and "SAFETY 1" number plates.

Then, as I enjoyed a cup of tea half an hour later, I watched them tear both the painting and car to shreds whilst Robyn from the Dracaena Centre sat, slightly petrified, in the drivers seat.

After all this riveting display of controlled descruction I helped almost 100 kids from 5-17 yrs graffiti a wall with positive messages about road safety! Pics of the wall above.

limited edition quiksilver tees

2010-07-01T12:29:00.000-07:00

!!Just had pics ahead of the press release:

These Quiksilver Limited Edition Organic tees by Cosmic ( me :) will be in the shops in the next few weeks and ALL profits from the limited sale go to the Surfers Against Sewage campaign (S.A.S)

This year Surfers Against Sewage campaign are 20 years old!

SAS were formed, and still operate, from the village where I live, work and surf.

In twenty years this environmental pressure group has done a heck of a lot to force the powers that be change the filthy, putrid, sewage ridden UK seas (that used to give us all the shits and worse) into clean waters, much safer for recreational use!

They are available in various colours and flavours. They are a bit sik though, so make sure you're up to it!

More details to follow as I get them!

You can join SAS here... sas.org.uk

qbar update: mezzanine area

2010-06-09T04:45:00.000-07:00

Last night, while (most of) you were sleeping, I was painting this...

NEW Daily Pic project 2010-2011

2010-06-08T02:25:00.000-07:00

From 06-06-10 I will post a new drawing a day to Cosmic's Daily Pic project page on flickr.

Each day's drawing can take anything upwards from a few minutes to complete and can be on any surface and produced with any media and materials and about any subject, but not for another job.

This will be very difficult with deadlines etc, so it probably won't be every day. But if I possibly can get one on there i will. The aim is to make a whole year without taking a day out so, every time I take a day out the counter starts again at zero days!

SHOP Tonight!! Perranporth

2010-06-03T02:14:00.000-07:00

SHOP (it's a music thing!) is probably the most fun you can have with a beer in your hand.

From 9 til very late tonight Seiners in Perranporth, Cornwall kick off their 'Summer Sessions' with an exclusive SHOP gig.

SHOP gigs are very laid back but dangerously cool, and may seriously effect your music tastes.

Cornwall Colouring Books Day Out

2010-05-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

I decided that today would be a nice day to take the Cornwall Colouring Book No.1 By Cosmic to meet some new outlets.

I Started in Gwithian and continued to deliver to Marazion, Porthleven, Praa Sands, then onto venues on The Lizard peninsula, St Keverne, Coverack, and back via Kenneck Sands and Helston.

Had a great day meeting loads of new retailers. There are some very cool people working in Cornwall!!

The Cornwall Colouring Book No.1 By Cosmic will now be on sale at all of these locations.

Pipeline Mag Interview

2010-05-20T05:12:00.000-07:00

Pipeline magazine interviewed me for their 'Meet A Member' feature the current summer issue out now.

Members of SAS (Surfers Against Sewage) receive this magazine as part of their membership.

SAS is an extremely worthwhile organization and vital for all recreational water users.

Join and find out more here: http://www.sas.org.uk/

Buddhist Booklet Cover

2010-05-19T01:27:00.000-07:00

This is the cover I designed for the 6th Annual Cornwall Nichiren Buddhist HQ Course booklet for a course at Taplow Court in Berkshire.

Meet 'Pu Pu'

2010-05-18T13:47:00.000-07:00

This is the new intern here at Cosmic Images.

This is 'Pu Pu'. She can't draw, can't type, but very cute. ...and as she's the bosses daughter, she gets away with all sorts!

SHOP returns

2010-05-16T15:06:00.000-07:00

On the 3rd of June 2010 SHOP returns to the shores of Cornwall, UK.

When the DJ's from SHOP are ever asked to describe what they do, they just say "It's a music thing." It is clearly not for them to describe.

Don't miss this: The first date, THURS JUNE 3RD at Seiners in Perranporth

I give it *****five stars!!

See press for more details. As far as I am aware it is even free to get in!! ...It doesn't get much better than that!

Q Bar: Update 2

2010-05-07T13:27:00.000-07:00

Got to the bar just before 2am today to begin a night painting session.

This pic also shows the seating.

I designed all the furniture along with the interior, and had it made within the 5 day refit. The frames are coloured the same 'blank canvas' grey as the walls with blood-red leatherette upholstery to match the ceiling and woodwork.

All of the furniture moves round to make the room into a small art-house cinema (with some awesome film choices!!) on tuesday nights...

My brief was to create a brand-new version of the old bar, which all the staff and customers loved, with an excess of my artwork on the walls.

I still have a lot of painting work to do. A few more sessions like this and I'll be done. The bar is open so customers can follow the progress and see how the artwork continues to completion.

The Q Bar is on the Moor in Falmouth, Cornwall and is well worth a visit!

St Agnes Skatepark PUBLIC MEETING

2010-05-05T11:56:00.000-07:00

I have been asked to join the St. Agnes Skatepark Committee and help with providing images, and visual graphics for the cause.

I am honoured to be asked and have accepted the role!

Public Meeting:

Due a massive popularity of skateboarding in St Agnes Cornwall, there is a huge demand for a skatepark in the village. The committee and skaters are happy to raise the money for the park but need a small area of land to put it on.

A large public meeting is being held by the committee at the proposed site:

Wheal Kitty Workshops, St Agnes...

SAT 22nd MAY at 11.00am.

Turn up to have your say, ask questions or just to show support.

Music Academy walls

2010-05-02T01:20:00.000-07:00

The Cornwall Music Academy opened yesterday in Hayle, and I was asked to go and draw on the walls outside their brand new practice rooms to be kept as inspiring decoration.

The visitors were encouraged to offer suggestions of things for me to draw on the walls throughout the day. One of the best had to be 'batman with flutes for legs'!

There was loads of live jazz, brass bands and quoir music and a samba band.

The local radio, Atlantic FM were broadcasting from there all day, there was also a bbq, face painting and tons of free music lessons, and lots of excited people!

Free Coffee

2010-05-02T00:30:00.000-07:00

On a cold bank holiday weekend, what better way to warm ones cockles than a free coffee?!

I don't advertise that I produce vinyl graphics, but if someone asks for it I will happily make them.

I work out an original idea from the initial requirements and draw some sketches.

Then use the images to make the graphics in my vinyl workshop.

The good part is I can produce anything I can draw! The mug image, in this instance, tells you 90% of the message.

The bar is Seiners in Perranporth. Pick up a voucher from somebody walking across the beach with a sign (like the lovely Freyja, pictured) and get your voucher. When you finish your walk, enjoy your free coffee.

florist shutters

2010-04-29T15:42:00.000-07:00

A second peice at Jane Adele's florist in Truro. Last year I drew a big flower on the wall which is still there.

As this is painted on the roller shutters, this is only visible at night. Although I went over the edge so you can see the side bits during the day. They love it and have plans for more... watch this space... or their space

The theme is the florist's connection to their base in Porthtowan and in Cornwall. Kenny, the deliver driver, can be seen flying around the county in the delivery van, at the top.

The brief was: "Whatever you think." :)

Treneer Wall Project

2010-04-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

I ran a workshop of young people from Penzance's Treneere estate for them to design some images, which they did really well! for me to then paint on a wall and some shutters. A great project to be involved with. I finished the wall today, here are some pics ...

Q Bar: Update 1

2010-04-18T23:17:00.000-07:00

The bar re-opened on Saturday. It was supposed to be Friday but, despite everybody's best efforts, five days was not long enough to do a complete re-furbishment of a bar of this size!

I pre-designed the furniture and managed to get it built from scratch in these five days too.

Stuck around long enough on Saturday to see the bar get absolutely full! :)

Here are a couple of pics of the artwork during the hectic five day project:

The bar is complete and open and the artwork is still in progress so if you call in you can see it as I complete it.

More pics and finished bar and artwork coming soon..

Qbar Falmouth

2010-04-12T04:40:00.000-07:00

Heading down to the Qbar in Falmouth's headonistic 'Moor' area to start on the re-furbishment. Has to be finished this Friday! I'll post a few pics on here of the finished result.

This picture is 'before':

Disco Yacht

2010-03-02T01:49:00.000-08:00

As part of free-form listener supported radio station WFMU's fundraising marathon this year, DJ Hatch has put together a "Soundtrack for a dance party on a yacht." called 'Hatch's DISCO YACHT' as part of his DJ premium (a reward to listeners for pledging their green stuff~) and commissioned some English artist (..me) to do the cover art..

check out Hatch's show here

check out all swag and DJ premiums here

make a WFMU pledge here!

(P.S today is my birthday :::))) hopefully see you later ;) xCosmic

If Cosmic did blackboards..

2010-02-25T12:39:00.000-08:00

It has been some weeks since I posted anything.. time has really flown by. I have been involved with some varied projects recently and can report more about them soon.

Currently, as part of my freelance practice I provide an art and design service and I try to meet almost any needs. I get lots of varied requests, sometimes I have to adopt a whole new technique or adapt to new materials, other times it is as simple as.. Pen- Wall- Draw!

Frank Gallagher: [to a fish] Now you know what I feel like... Stop whinging! Drink more.