As always happens, I've neglected this here blog for the last few months. And as is always the case, I come crawling back only when I feel like I've got something worthwhile to share.

About a month back, after years of considering it, I finally launched a movie review blog, with a bit of a difference: for every review I post, I have to come up with an alternate poster to go with it. If you fancy checking out the reviews, you can see them here: http://letskisstomakeitreal.com

If you just want to look at some pictures, keep scrolling:

I can only apologise in advance for how dull this post is, but anyway... I've been wearing the same glasses frames for almost 6 years now, but my eyesight has gotten worse (I'm getting old), which is a good enough excuse as any to get some new frames! On the downside, I think te new lenses are responsible for a killer migraine I've not got. Time to get away from the bright lights of the computer screen.

Today was my last day at work for a week. I'm completely stoked! I didn't really get much down time at Christmas, so the next few days are going to involve a lot of skating (on my new board), a lot of gaming (mainly Dishonored), a lot of time in the cinema and maybe even some song writing. Maybe.

I'll probably end up working on some of my own design stuff too, given that it's been neglected as of late. I've been doing some regular work for a radio DJ over here, basically designing a different piece of art each week for his podcast. The latest is probably my favourite so far, and I love that I get to try something different each week. Jon's an awesome client, and his show is worth a listen: http://allbacknofront.com


And here's that new board I mentioned. Absolutely love riding these trucks, and the Bones Super Red bearings are, well, super!


Hope everyone has an awesome weekend!

M. x

Happy New Year!

2013, huh? Man, that came around quickly! I've barely been here since I reactivated my account back in October(?). Most of that was down to one of the biggest projects I've ever worked on, which took over my life for the best part of 3 months. It left me a shell of a man, but much more accomplished designer. I actually feel like I'm going somewhere with my career. It only took, what, 6 years?

With such a big project out of the way, I really want to spend some of my evenings and weekends focusing back on my personal work - primarily, my new skate / lifestyle apparel brand. I can't say too much about it, but I'm incredibly excited about it. I've been working on some designs I'm really proud of, and hopefully other people will dig them too. Sneak peak...



Got some pretty awesome Christmas, the highlights being a beautiful new Santa Cruz skateboard and a Lego R2-D2 (it's incredible)...





Oh, and the first volume of the Adventure Time comic... MATHEMATICAL!!!



Other than that, I've been living in the cinema. While I don't have a definitive favourite film from 2012, I'd have to say it was between Rust & Bone or Silver Linings Playbook - I couldn't recommend either more! That's another thing I'll be starting in 2013: my film review blog. Watch this space.

As for albums, I haven't really stopped listening to London by Apologies, I Have None since they released it. If you like good, melodic Punk Rock, they need your attention. They deserve to be huge: http://open.spotify.com/album/5OaN6tZz81VoBnhUEb9d8D

I'm also pretty nuts on Sarah Jaffe right now. Really solid female vocals, great tunes. Some Electro vibes, some Indie Rock, and a good dash of Experimental Pop / Folk :
http://open.spotify.com/album/2Z2H9F7PWEbxYdREWp7ZOZ

Ok, so nothing too interesting to report, but I figure writing this will get me back into keeping things up to date here.

Follow me on Instragram and / or Twitter: http://instagram.com/scrtlyswdsh https://twitter.com/ScrtlySwdsh

Have a lovely January, y'all!

M. x

I'm back.

M. x

So, I wrote this song a while back called 'The Great Octopulus', about an octopus who works as a strongman in the circus. He really hates his job, and all he really wants is to put down his weights, turn his back on the circus, find true love and spend his days doing something he wants. If anything, it's about taking risks and following your dreams - cheesy, but that's it!

This song has always been one of my favourites to play, and the one most people came out to hear, probably because of a lyric I could never sing with a straight face: "Could you love a strongman octopus? Let me wrap eight arms round both of us? SQUIRT MY INKY MESS, WITHOUT A FUSS?"...

Anyway! In the last year this song meant more and more to me, and art started to imitate life. I didn't like the design job I was in, so I took a risk and left it in January, hoping something better would come along. I decided it was also time to immortalise The Great Octopulus on my body, so I'd always remember that my happiness, and that of those around me, was more important than anything, and that it's good to follow your dreams! Again, cheesy, but true.

Last week I got the tattoo finished, and on the very same day I got offered my dream job, with an amazing agency. It was just one of those rare moments in life where everything came into place, and was absolutely perfect.

Here's the finished tattoo:

So, things have been pretty good in the last month. I'm finally feeling settled in my new studio, getting to know more and more people, and the work coming in is consistent and the type of stuff I love working on. I'm pretty excited for the up coming months. With some spare time, here and there, I've been working a few more person projects and contest work. I'm usually against spec work, but this stuff is fun, and I always feel like if I'm not working then I'm not pushing myself hard enough.

Anyway, here's a contest entry I've recently finished up for Vans Warped Tour, which had to be inspired by the saying "Music makes the world new". It's very typical of my personal style, with a bit of an "edge" to it. If anyone feels like voting for it, please head here http://creativeallies.com/creations/rh41

Hey!

How's Easter been for all of you? I've spent it trying to find an outfit for a wedding, as I don't own anything smart, and emptying boxes from last week's house move. Exciting, huh? I'd love to say I've been working my way through a mountain of chocolate eggs, but I didn't even get one!

As far as this wedding outfit goes, I've been working backwards, with the shoes directing what the rest of the outfit looks like. I picked up these pretty smart Vans Era in NY, and thought that I should be able to get away with wearing them for these 2 weddings I have coming up. I'm gonna accesorise with a pair of skinny, tan chinos and a pretty nice navy suit jacket I picked up. I'm just hoping I don't end up looking like a complete prick / hipster. I imagine I will:



In other news, I've finally got my new tattoo - or at least the first half. I'm kind of gutted it won't be finished for this first wedding next week, but hey, it's not biggie. The tattoo is based on the character of The Great Octopulus: a weight lifting, strongman octopus, who hates his job and wants to leave the circus to find love. It's from a song I wrote and used to play a lot when I was still performing music, that's basically about following your dreams and taking risks. With everything that's happened so far with my work situation this year, and starting my freelance design business properly, it seemed like the right time to get it done. Looking forward to getting it finished next week:



Finally, I've been going pretty nuts over this song recently, by Apologies, I Have None. They're a pretty awesome melodic Punk Rock band from London, and I can't stop listening to their new album. It's easy to relate to, as it's all written about the area I live in. Anyway, if you're into that sort of thing, check it out:



That's about it for now. If you feel like following me on Twitter or Instagram, just search for @scrtlyswdsh.

M. x

Hey y'all! It's been a while, huh?

I've been back from NYC for 3 weeks now, and I'm still waking up daily and missing it. I really don't know another place that makes me feel this way whenever I get back from it - not even Gothenburg!

Highlights from this trip had to be the new Museum of Moving Image. Not only is it an incredible building, everything about it is so considered. Not to mention they had an AMAZING Jim Henson exhibition on. I'm not sure how long it's on for, but if you can go along to it, do! It's out in Queens, so it wasn't overly busy, and was a good way to kill a Sunday afternoon. Not to mention you get to see a real life Cosby sweat-ah. That's a life goal achieved.

I had one of the best Mexican meals I've ever eaten, at Barrio Chino. We tried to eat here last time we were in NYC, but it was a 2 hour wait and they don't take bookings. Anyway, I'm glad we tried it again this time, because it was so damn tasty. Head over on a Sunday night, because it's a little less busy.

My favourite shitty bar was Meet the Johnsons. It had a jukebox with IIn the Aeroplane Over the Sea by Neutral Milk Hotel in it, so that immediately made it awesome. The locals were friendly, and it had a really chill vibe. It was a bit like a friend's basement, but with more liquor. I mean, it was a real dive, but that's what made it "charming". Favourite awesome bar was definitely Barcade, and they had a Brooklyn Brewery craft beer night on while we there. Vintage video games and great ale? Dream!

The rest of the time was pretty much spent trying to find a burger to rival London's Lucky Chip - I didn't find it! Oh, and spending a LOT of money at Vans DQM - that place is just incredible.

So yeah, it was all pretty awesome. I reckon I'll be back again in August - I hope. This was my favourite photo from the trip: