Tumblr re-design

 

After having a long tinker with my tumblr account, I've finally got it looking a tad more professional. Even with my limited computer skills it now looks a lot prettier, including these above banners (small feature that took me a couple of hours to master...) If you are at all interested in having a look at the new layout, the link is http://andystuartmills.tumblr.com/

John Connolly Signed Book

So it's not everyday you come home after a week away on holiday to find a signed first edition copy of a book on your door step. What's even more special is that its the book you did artwork for with a lovely message from the author to you. It's small gestures like this that really makes all the work worth while (I need to remember this while screaming bloody insult at my next piece of work)
 

 

      

Just want to say thank you again to John Connolly for his permission and encouragement. You can really see the difference between the copy of the book I was using to this new first edition copy. If I could, I'd frame it and hang it on my wall. Or freeze it in Carbonite. 
 

  

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?



 

Off to Greece

Well, I'm jetting off to Greece tomorrow for a week so they'll be no posts til I get back. I'm planning on doing plenty of location drawings and photo reference so they'll be a heap of new stuff on here when I get back. This will be the first holiday I've had where I haven't had to take work with me in years so I'm planning to make the most of it. Temperatures due to be in the high 30's so I'll be sticking to the shade in fear of becoming a lobster.

In the mean time, everyone have a fantastic summer and I'll speak to you all again soon. Adios!