Fumbling with Tumblr

My biggest revelation at university so far has been comprehending just how much time is spent on self promoting. It really is invaluable, and in equal measure frustrating. Take for example last night where I spent over three hours on tumblr trying to find a theme that I liked. One that displayed work nicely, had more than one column, allowed a personalised header and border. You would think that's not asking for much? But, nope! I was at one point screaming 'WHY WON'T YOU JUST WORK?!' Granted, once finished it did look a lot better than it did previously, but for a technophobe like me it was tooth grinding haul. 

As a result of that being updated now, it now comes to me that I need to update the design of this blog too. Simple things really like a logo, banner etc, as right now it's all a bit of a mish mash of different imagery and fonts. I blame this on my at times terrible sense of colour co-ordination. Luckily, with the developments of photoshop etc, if that colour horror show does translate to my artwork its an easy fix!

Speaking of which, I have just completed my latest piece of work, which is actually the most colourful piece of work i've done in a long time, so once I've cleared it with the customer, I'll be putting the results up on here

Rhodes Retrospective

In the words of Samwise Gamgee: 'well, i'm back.'

There is a mixture of sadness and joy in there. Obvious sadness for having to leave behind a beautiful country. I'm in Southampton at the moment so won't be able to upload my pictures and photo's til I'm back in Plymouth this Monday, but there are plenty of great shots of the country. Rhodes is a unique location to visit, steeped in history, yet barren and daunting. It makes for some gorgeous sun sets! I didn't quite manage to do as much drawing as I'd hoped, but given the amount of reference photo's I took, it won't take long for me to do some work inspired by it. The only drawings I did manage were at the airport just using a biro. (Note: 'Chesky' may in fact be the most irritating, soul destroying nickname ever created, especially when uttered every minute by the shrill squawking mother of the girl in the row behind us on the plane)

Of Rhodes itself, my lasting memories will be of Antones the barman and his, let's say, generous spirit servings. A knew catchphrase to enter into everyday vocabulary: "The blood of my enemy, is jelly!", and the food.

Oh, the food. People who know me generally say that I am some what reserved when it comes to trying new food. While I would counter this with saying that they are old favourites, it's true that I sometimes pass up more experimental options for safer choices. But, as money is so tight for me at the moment, I figure that I wouldn't want to fork out money for something that I would'nt like. Well, for this holiday I trashed such thoughts and went head first into the menu's. And it was so worth my while.

Fried Calimari, Lobster, Squid, Prawn, Shrimp, Grilled Cheeses, raspberry sorbet coated starters, Souvlaki,  I could go on and on. I have never been so consumed by new flavours and dishes. From now on I will never limit myself again, for fear that I may be missing out, (though Baklava will be something I will politely decline in future.) This holiday really has opened my eyes to fine dining. Maybe there's a drawing in there somewhere?



 

The problem with spare time

As the title may suggest, now that term has finished im left with the unusual situation where i have so much time i don't know what to do with myself. I can never win.

First thing to do is get my photos up from my end of year show (they will be up tonight, promise!)

My goal for the summer though will be portfolio building. Its rather worrying that after two years of university i still don't feel that i have my 'style' locked down yet. It's all well and good being diverse but it would be nice to have a signature look. So, that my goal. I'm just going to enjoy illustrating the beautiful and the grotesque in equal measure and not have to explain myself. Illusuration should be enjoyable after all and that wiy im doing this in the first place!