Luke Ritchle
Luke Ritchle

The Peak of Inspiration

South Africa based type artist Luke Ritchie is an independent designer/ illustrator who believes the mountains and nature to be his best source of inspiration. He rides his mountain bike every time he feels he has been in his office for too long, sometimes it’s 2 to 3 times in a week. Here, he shares his love for the bike, the mountains and the ever inspiring nature around him.

I love to ride my bike. I have a Scott Spark, it’s red and black, dual suspension mountain bike. I try to head out into the mountains about 2 or 3 times a week.

Spending time outside in nature and the fresh crisp air is so important to me, I could say that it’s one of my essential design tools.

Where I live in South Africa, it’s a predominantly warm climate, and for about 8 months of the year, we have warm weather, which makes for perfect riding. My house is in a valley, and at the end of the valley is a beautiful nature reserve with single-track mountain bike routes all over the place, it’s truly one of the most beautiful places in the world, and plenty of international riders come here to train during the cold European winter months.

I am a lettering artist; I do mostly logotypes/ branding and illustration. I had started freelancing about 7 years ago full-time. Anyone who freelances or has started a small business on their own will know the difficulties and hurdles you have to go through in order to do what you love.

I love my work, and it’s as much a hobby to me as it is a profession.

I’ve had the privilege of working with some big brands all over the world, and I am so incredibly blessed to be able to pursue my passion and get paid to do it. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel intense gratitude to God for my life and the gifts he has given me.

But when I’ve been in the office too long, and my body feels tired and fatigued, I put my cycling clothes on, strap on my cycling shoes, and head off for a ride or a walk.

Nature to me is God’s gym, and it’s in nature where I find peace and joy. Often times when I’m riding, I’m designing in my head and coming up with new ideas, it’s very meditative for me.

Exercise as everyone knows, is crucial to a healthy body, but in my opinion, it’s just as important, if not more important to ‘reboot’ the brain and help the mind overcome hurdles especially as a creative.

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