About Michael Burton

 Michael Burton Biography 

Michael Burton (Mike B. Creative), founder of Pursue it Again LLC, is a professional designer, illustrator, creative writer, cancer survivor, spoken word artist, and Chicago native, who has been passionate about art since the age of 4. His late father Michael Burton Sr. fueled his interest and inspiration in the basement of their home playing in live bands and drawing demonstrations. He didn’t take his calling for art seriously until he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s disease, during his senior year at Thornton Township High School. Unable to work or finish school, Michael began to re-focus on drawing and painting.  His formal art training began at Olive-Harvey Junior College, where he worked with mentor and teacher, Stella Mills.  Under the direction of Ms. Mills, Michael embarked upon a professional art career. Soon after his studies at Olive Harvey Junior College, he attended the American Academy of Art in Chicago to study figure drawing, design, and illustration.

During his study at the Academy, Michael began to develop excellent drawing skills which expanded all traditional mediums encompassing pencil, acrylic, watercolor, gouache, and charcoal. His illustration teacher Rich Kryczka was a major influence on him becoming an illustrator, by assuring he had the potential skills and creativity to become an illustrator. Kryzczka also gave him tips on how to set up photoshoots with classmates and family members to act out scenes with lighting and props. Lastly, Kryzczka brought in well-renowned illustrators as keynote speakers to show and tell how their work was being used in different branches of the entertainment industry. Several of the renowned artists consisted of Thomas Blackshear, Douglas Klauba, John Tobias, Steve Rude, and Alex Ross. Ross is an artist for Marvel & DC comics and recruited Michael to model as a character for “Batman War on Crime” Comic Book. Both Douglas Klauba, and Thomas Blackshear gave him good advice and feedback on becoming a professional illustrator Several years later Michael would self-publish his own illustrated memoir titled “Let Me Paint a Picture; My Life, Growth, and Testimony.

After gaining the skills to be an illustrator, Michael began to build an interest in Graphic Design. Shortly after, he was offered a job as an in-house illustrator and graphic designer for a decorative apparel and printing company in the Chicago area. This allowed him to combine his illustration and graphic design skills. Some of his selected clients include CPS (Chicago Public Schools), IHSA (Illinois High School Association) Athletic Tournaments, PHIT organization’s youth camp program, Chicago Bears team member Brian Urlacher, large church organizations such as Christ Universal Temple & Trinity Church in Chicago, and many Chicago Public Libraries throughout Chicagoland.

With a natural enthusiasm for art and design Michael has recently finished his BA program for Graphic Design and Media Arts at SNHU 2021. Today, he has continued to enhance and expand on the latest techniques of traditional and digital illustration, graphic design, desktop publishing, Wb 3.0, and creating NFT collections; which he incorporates into innovative fashion and apparel design, concept art, illustration, book publishing, and logo design. Although he works in several styles and practices, he can create a harmonious and consistent brand design and storytelling throughout each unique project.

 Michael’s other interests include global warming, climate change, protecting wildlife, observing and exploring different landscape regions, that are incorporated into his work. He also believes in social and gender equality and uses his creative talent to highlight and bring awareness to life issues, and on other hand creates work to encourage and inspire others.