A few years ago, Edwina Griffiths came across artist Tony Mills, whilst reading an article about him in EC1 Echo.
By Samantha Lutes
A few years ago, Edwina Griffiths came across artist Tony Mills, whilst reading an article about him in EC1 Echo. The article highlighted a painting he had drawn of the Ingersoll building on St John Street.
The painting, along with Tony’s story, struck a chord in Edwina and her partner Juan as they recognised the former warehouse as they would regularly walk past it. At the time, the pair were living in Exmouth Market. Although now moved to Barnes, the iconic area still holds a great significance to them.
Edwina reached out to Tony at the time to say how inspired she was by his story and would love a painting by him, though she said at the time that wasn’t on the cards. The story left a lasting impression on her: “I was so moved by it, I thought it was so beautiful.”
Edwina and Juan are now engaged, and soon to be married – tomorrow in fact! Whilst brainstorming for gift ideas, Edwina thought of the idea to commission Tony to create a new portrait of Exmouth Market as a surprise for Juan.
Of the process of the painting, Edwina told me:
“Tony came and we took some pictures on the street. I told Juan I was going to see one of my friends and snuck out a couple of times.
We got a good angle and agreed that would be the shot. He painted us into the picture and my friend’s little dog that we look after. It’s really sweet.
Once it was finished, Tony drove the whole way up from Brighton. I told Juan we were just going to be having a date night and then Tony turned up dressed like a courier saying he had a delivery.
Juan is still thinking he’s the delivery driver, then I asked him (Tony) to stay for dinner. Juan was very confused by me asking this delivery driver to stay for dinner.
I showed him the painting, and he really loved it and it’s now hanging in our new apartment.
He really loves it. We felt quite sad to be leaving Exmouth Market, so I think he was really happy to have a piece of it in our new house. It’s hanging right next to the dining table, so as soon as you walk into the living area it’s the first thing you see.
The painting has a way of drawing you in, you follow the two figures. It does seem to change depending on the light and you feel like you’re drawn into it. It’s quite magical, I love it.
If Tony didn’t have that article, we wouldn’t have had that painting done. We’re so grateful to him.”
Follow Tony on Instagram here, and check out his post about this particular painting!
