AT WORK WITH - MATTHEW BURTON ILLUSTRATION

You know me. I love my town and what it has to offer. And I don't mean the 18 Greggs within a 5 mile radius of Middlesbrough but sometimes you really need a pasty to get you through the day.

I am a huge believer of supporting independent businesses even if they are within the same sector as your own as you never know what possibilities could head your way. I have some independent collaborations on your radar this year and I couldn't be any more excited about it.

At Work With -  is part of a mini series to showcase and introduce some of the people behind our amazing Teesside independent businesses. A sneak peek into the wild world setting up shop and giving you the chance to see how they work.

Without further ado let me introduce you to the wonderful illustrator that is Matthew Burton.

Tell me more about him I hear you cry. Ok fella, over to you.

"Hi, 

I am Matthew of Matthew Burton Illustration. I have a passion for cycling after growing up in the mountain bike boom of the 80's & 90's - If it has two wheels I am pretty sure I will like it.

I have studied art solely after leaving school and then studying a degree in fine art. There was not much multimedia illustrations around and I sort of went down this path and right back into the arms of my first love, drawing.

I am influenced by a large range of things such as classic advertsing illustrations of the mid 20th century, zines, posters and any kind of visual media. We are surrounded by this in this day and age and inspirations can come in many shapes and forms.

A combination of growing up in the late 80's, having a very active cycling family and art have inspired me to, well, be me."

And there you have it guys, Matthew Burton Illustration was born.

I really should take a leaf out of this guys book and do more exercise.

With a huge interest in cycling, he is always on the go and I don't blame him. We have some amazing scenery here in Teesside. You can pop up to the hills and take a panoramic route around good old Roseberry Topping or risk it for a ginger nut biscuit and go full pelt down Carlton Bank.

Matthew has designed a number of prints and kits for Pactimo who he continues to work with as a freelance artist.

Matthew currently designs for publications such as Peleton, designs clothing for Ibis Cyles and has just finished something really exciting for NBC Universal.

I mean his illustrations are pretty brilliant.

After studying Fine Art at Winchester School of Art Matthew decided to come back to his roots and set up studio in the new creative hub that is Bohouse which is situated right in the heart of Middlesbrough.

These studiosque live in studio/apartments are the perfect opportunity to work and live surrounded by like minded creatives.

When he is not designing or making a cracking cup of coffee (Yes, I know - I can handle one coffee a year) Matthew is usually lycraed to the nines and making the most of our surrounding areas. 

He is getting rather excited for the Tour de Yorkshire which will will taking place right here in our town centre on May 1st 2016. Whether you prefer cycling the North Yorkshire Moors or drinking Yorkshire Tea, this is one event that you should pencil in your diary for this year.

If you have a keen interest in cycling like Matty B you could be in with the chance to win a ride out with Chris Boardman, my fellow Sunday Brunch guest from last summer's appearance. 

Mr Boardman is launching his new performance bike range with Halfords this very Friday and to celebrate you have the chance to enter this brilliant competition with a fair few prizes to be won.

So lets do this, lets get entering and lets get supporting our independent businesses to help make this world a better place.

Give this link a click to be in the with chance to win and get hash tagging  #outtherewithyou to drum up some Boardman support.

Make sure you give Matthew a like, follow and take a peek at his work on Matthew Burton Illustration and good luck with the competition guys.

Love Carli x

*This is a sponsored post but my love for supporting independents is real and all opinions and views are my very own.

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