LOS ANGELES — The Mill LA (www.themill.com) has hired eight new CG artists. The studio reports that its 3D department has tripled in staff size from the start of 2010, and includes both generalists and skilled specialists. 

New hires include senior artist Josh Hatton, who was most recently with Hydralux; senior artist Sam Kao, formerly with ILM and Weta; and senior artist Nick Line who comes from Animal Logic. Gawaine Liddiards is also a senior artist, previously working with Double Negative. And Felix Urquiza, who spent time at both Hydraulux and Method, holds the same title.

CG artist Andre De Souza’s background includes time at Weta, Animal Logic and MPC. Michael Panov and Yorie Kumalasari are two CG artists who join the studio from The Mill NY.

In addition to the new hires, The Mill LA will be expanding with a move to new space this summer. The studio launched in LA in 2007. Its new 30,000-square-foot warehouse space is currently under construction and will house additional suites, CG stations and newly-created departments. 

Photo: (L-R) Back Row: Michael Panov, Yorie Kumalasari, Gawaine Liddiard, Nick Line, Andre De Souza. Front: Josh Hatton, Felix Urquiza and Sam Kao.