A thoroughbred in the Leeds illustration scene, Matt The Horse flies the flag for exuberant work that explores the relationship between a diverse carousel of unpredictable and bizarre characters. Scenes are played out in Matt's work in simplified stretches of quirky colour, with the shapes of distorted beings, suited men and animals defined by strict lines to reveal such bewildering figures. Matt The Horse's extensive client list is just as impressive as his work, with names including The Guardian and Converse, as well as band Pulled Apart By Horses. We sat down to talk about his artistic origins and his ability to communicate via basic illustration.

 
As we begin to chat, Matt introduces us to his days at art school and states that "Before the internet was inside everyone's head I didn't even know what illustration meant, I just liked drawing and ideas. Once it had been explained though, it made perfect sense." Matt has been drawing since an early age and by the time he was finishing university he had started attracting interest from clients.
"I got some paid work during my third year and I still get some paid work. But never a lot of it, just a steady stream in relation to a steady output. The clients have changed a bit as well and most importantly so has the quality of what I'm making.

He explains the complex yet versatile nature of the illustrating industry “The idea of and 'industry' is ephemeral. Illustration can lend it's self to so many disciplines and clients. You just have to keep making and keep going" - an apt motto for any creative seeking clientele. Matt later referenced the advice he had recieved in the past from Jillian Tamiaki, to 'make stuff that is pretty, realistic, and easy to understand'. "That really rang true with me. If you want commercial work, beyond networking like a bugger just make work that a trendy mum would like. Make something that looks like that twee whistling music they use on all the adverts."

It seems then that the ultimate appeal in the illustration world is to simply produce what people are willing to buy - with the negative effect being that "it's not very interesting and it might not get blogged much, but if you get it right, that's where the work is." This information should ring true for anyone attempting to get their "foot in the door" and enter a world where success doesn't necessarily mean being entirely content with producing client led work that isn't perfect for you, but is for a particular client and most importantly earns you money. Collaboration is also something that perks Matt The Horse's ears, as he reveals "I've recently done some work with Rumpus animation studio that was loads of fun and something I'd like to do more of. As well as that, I'm also working on a new T-shirt project with the brilliant Jon Boam. I've colaborated with him on a number of projects now and find it wonderfully rewarding."

 
Matt is optimistic about the future of his work and which avenue to explore next. "I'd like to self publish and I'd like to expand my clothing projects. But really all I want to achieve is a portfolio that I'm happy with, which is impossible." This notion of driving for the impossible should be true for all, whichever form of the arts you choose to practice, after all the idea of perfection is much like the unattainability of love, but enjoyment comes in striving for that perfection.