The Big Read update!

The Big Read launches in 3 days on Thursday 14th July and here are some sneak peeks of the finished and varnished book bench for Thinktank Birmingham and Millennium Point.

I am so excited for it to go live and hopefully raise money for the Children's Hospital through all the creative and literacy events that will raise money during Summer 2016.

The photograph below is a snapshot from the wall display at Millennium Point which will tell the story of the bench's conception!

Roald Dahl Centenary

To celebrate Roald Dahl’s Centenary year, the rear side of the book bench highlights two classic Dahl characters together for the first time in a quiet and whimsical scene. The bird delivering the book is an ode to Solihull’s Home Library Service, enabling less mobile local residents access to enjoy books.

Working drawings for the illustration of Matilda and Mr Fox

The Big Read Thinktank Bookbench painting progress

I have been doing some long hours and nights at Thinktank's Thinkspace painting our official book bench! Cannot wait to share the finished design.

The Big Read Bookbench at the official launch of The Core at Solihull, 20-21st May 2016

The newly refurbished Core building launched across this weekend and it was great to have The Big Read bookbench project coincide with the launch. 

The Mayor and Mayoress of Solihull

Britain's Got Talent's The Neales cosy up onto my bench, could they feature in the final design?

The Big Read 2016

I have been commissioned to produce the bookbench for ThinkTank Science Museum & Millennium Point, and it will be inspired by the great Ichthyosaur at ThinkTank as well as JK Rowling's Fantastic Beasts & Where To Find Them.

A Nechells-based primary school were invited for a creative session and invented all kinds of fantastical beasts which I am now whittling down and distilling into a final design for the bookbench.