Graham Forsythe
Encyclopedia
Graham Forsythe is a Canadian
artist. Although Forsythe was classified blind at birth he has traveled extensively. He did not start painting until 1991 when his eyesight was restored by an operation.
. He was born with such poor eyesight that he could only view the world as shadows and blurry shades of gray. This led to him being classified as legally blind by the medical profession.
In 1958 Forsythe and his family immigrated to Canada where his humble beginnings meant that he had to work from a young age. By the time Forsythe was 10, he was working in a potato farm just outside of Toronto
. However, within two years his likable personality had landed him a job as a caddy at the exclusive Hunts Club of Toronto.
He worked his way through University and graduated with a degree in Political Science from the University of Guelph
in Ontario. He completed his formal education in 1974 at the age of 22.
By the time he graduated Forsythe had spent more than half of his life working. Yearning for adventure, Forsythe began to travel, starting with the eastern and western seaboards of the United States. He then roamed across Canada, driven by the urge to explore new places and meet people. In 1975 he traveled to New Zealand
where he worked on a sheep and mixed crop farm. Two years later he moved to Australia
where he worked various jobs, including a one-year stint timber cruising in the Queen Charlotte Islands
. Forsythe remained in Australia for three years before he decided that he wished to visit Ireland, the land of his birthplace. In 1979 his journey took him to the little town of Killybegs
, County Donegal
where he worked as a fisherman. One year later he returned to Canada and worked on a commercial salmon trawler off the west coast.
Throughout all of his travels Forsythe had not really seen the beauty of the world due to his poor eyesight.
Creativity seems to run through the Irish side of Forsythe's family; his father could pick up any musical instrument and play it, his sister is a song writer and his aunt was a champion Irish Step Dancer
.
In his spare time Forsythe wrote murder mysteries, perhaps prompted by the fact that his father and his father's brothers were all policemen working in homicide. As a young boy Forsythe would overhear his father speaking about unsolved crimes with colleagues.
At the age of 38 Forsythe was told that an operation might be able to give him sight. Despite the risk of complications, Forsythe chose to undergo the operation. Fortunately, the operation was a success and Forsythe could see properly for the first time. Inspired by the beauty of nature, Forsythe began to paint. His talent was evident and soon art galleries and private collectors began to purchase his magnificent landscapes and seascapes.
Currently, Graham Forsythe is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and has won several Jurors Choice Awards. Most of Forsythe's paintings depict natural scenes.
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
artist. Although Forsythe was classified blind at birth he has traveled extensively. He did not start painting until 1991 when his eyesight was restored by an operation.
Early life
Forsythe was born in Ballymena, County AntrimCounty Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
. He was born with such poor eyesight that he could only view the world as shadows and blurry shades of gray. This led to him being classified as legally blind by the medical profession.
In 1958 Forsythe and his family immigrated to Canada where his humble beginnings meant that he had to work from a young age. By the time Forsythe was 10, he was working in a potato farm just outside of Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
. However, within two years his likable personality had landed him a job as a caddy at the exclusive Hunts Club of Toronto.
He worked his way through University and graduated with a degree in Political Science from the University of Guelph
University of Guelph
The University of Guelph, also known as U of G, is a comprehensive public research university in Guelph, Ontario, Canada. It was established in 1964 after the amalgamation of Ontario Agricultural College, the Macdonald Institute, and the Ontario Veterinary College...
in Ontario. He completed his formal education in 1974 at the age of 22.
By the time he graduated Forsythe had spent more than half of his life working. Yearning for adventure, Forsythe began to travel, starting with the eastern and western seaboards of the United States. He then roamed across Canada, driven by the urge to explore new places and meet people. In 1975 he traveled to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
where he worked on a sheep and mixed crop farm. Two years later he moved to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
where he worked various jobs, including a one-year stint timber cruising in the Queen Charlotte Islands
Queen Charlotte Islands
Haida Gwaii , formerly the Queen Charlotte Islands, is an archipelago on the North Coast of British Columbia, Canada. Haida Gwaii consists of two main islands: Graham Island in the north, and Moresby Island in the south, along with approximately 150 smaller islands with a total landmass of...
. Forsythe remained in Australia for three years before he decided that he wished to visit Ireland, the land of his birthplace. In 1979 his journey took him to the little town of Killybegs
Killybegs
Killybegs is the largest fishing port in County Donegal and in Ireland. It is located on the south coast of the county, north of Donegal Bay, near Donegal Town. The town is situated at the head of a scenic harbour and at the base of a vast mountainous tract extending northward...
, County Donegal
County Donegal
County Donegal is a county in Ireland. It is part of the Border Region and is also located in the province of Ulster. It is named after the town of Donegal. Donegal County Council is the local authority for the county...
where he worked as a fisherman. One year later he returned to Canada and worked on a commercial salmon trawler off the west coast.
Throughout all of his travels Forsythe had not really seen the beauty of the world due to his poor eyesight.
Career
In 1981 Forsythe started his own business paving roads. His company employed a dozen workers and the work was steady, but Forsythe had a desire to do something more creative.Creativity seems to run through the Irish side of Forsythe's family; his father could pick up any musical instrument and play it, his sister is a song writer and his aunt was a champion Irish Step Dancer
Irish stepdance
Irish stepdance is a type of performance dance originated in Ireland from traditional Irish dance, characterised by solo dancers who dance with hands by their sides and upper body stiff, making quick, intricate movements of the feet, often with a troupe. Irish stepdancing was popularized by the...
.
In his spare time Forsythe wrote murder mysteries, perhaps prompted by the fact that his father and his father's brothers were all policemen working in homicide. As a young boy Forsythe would overhear his father speaking about unsolved crimes with colleagues.
At the age of 38 Forsythe was told that an operation might be able to give him sight. Despite the risk of complications, Forsythe chose to undergo the operation. Fortunately, the operation was a success and Forsythe could see properly for the first time. Inspired by the beauty of nature, Forsythe began to paint. His talent was evident and soon art galleries and private collectors began to purchase his magnificent landscapes and seascapes.
Currently, Graham Forsythe is a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and has won several Jurors Choice Awards. Most of Forsythe's paintings depict natural scenes.
Quotations
"Pablo Picasso said, “Art is the lie that tells the truth”. For me, no truer words describe art better. Great artists are like alchemists. Where the chemist uses magic to turn lead into gold, the Artist manipulates rubs of synthetic color to capture a three dimensional subject on a two dimensional surface, but without character, a painting is little more than an arrangement of color and design. Herein lies the reason why I paint - to understand the nature of what I see and to share my passion with you. If I can unveil the essence of what I see into my paintings, they will transcend mere decoration and take on a life of their own. Everything has its own unique character and once it reveals itself to me then my job is to rub the canvas and communicate this truth to you."Honors and awards
- 1998 'Juror's Choice Award', Federation of Canadian Artist
- 1999 'Juror's Choice Award', Federation of Canadian Artist
- 2000 'Juror's Choice Award', Federation of Canadian Artist
- 2006 Selected Featured Artist, Ladera Ranch Education Foundation annual fundraising event.
Publications
- International Artist Magazine Edition #61 USA, 2008
- International Artist Magazine Edition #56 USA, 2007
- Monterey County Weekly, Monterey, California, USA (2002)
- Ballymena Guardian, Ballymena, Northern Ireland (2003)
- Art World News, National Publication, USA (2003)
- International Graphics, Eggenstein, Germany (2004)
- Ladera Ranch Herald, Ladera Ranch, California, USA (2004)
- Galleries West Magazine, Calgary, Alberta, Canada (2005)
- Cottage Style Magazine, National Publication, USA (2006)
- Orange Coast Magazine, Orange County, California, USA (2006)
- MagazinArt Biennial, National Publication, Canada (2006)
- Pierre Belvedere Cards, Quebec, Canada (2006)
- International Graphics, Eggenstein, Germany (2006)