Art wasn’t only a hobby for me; it still serves as my escape mechanism; my craft is presented through the sorrows and fortunes I have encountered throughout my life experiences.  

As a young child, I was quite troublesome and found it difficult to obtain consistent focus on school. My passion for art began at a young age when I realised I could express myself through my talent. Unfortunately, my mother was suffering from a form of cancer called Lupus, therefore severely feeble to look after my younger brother and me.  At the age of six, I was sent to a care home in the Lake District called The Grange, a home specifically catered for 'difficult' children. Being the only black individual in school, I found it difficult to engage with other kids; thus, I started to play on my skill, art. My art teacher was impressed by my work and would often tell me he’d never taught a pupil so young with so much talent, which restored confidence and drive in me. Dave Turner was a highly established artist within his social circle; he often spent hours tutoring and supporting me with my art. Gerry Blood was an established painter, another artist who also closely supported me; he painted the national Tour de France paintings and the official Olympic rings.

By age 10, I had experimented with most artistic mediums, such as pencils, oil paints, watercolours, pastels and ink. Throughout my years at The Grange, I finally returned to London at 13 to reside with my father. He was the creative seed from which I consumed inspiration and skill. Like many young boys, I wanted to emulate my father's art and standards, which allowed me to form a relationship and bond with the man who wasn’t consistently around during my childhood. All of Mike’s work comes from a deep and meaningful place, whether it’s the dramatic mood-inspired cover art for his HITMEN SAGAS comic book series, the capturing of betrayed innocence with his “WAR CHILDREN” collection or the personally emotional-driven “GONE BEFORE TIME” portrait collection.  Whatever work Mike produces, past, present, or future, he promises his heart, soul and artistic outlook on life in every pencil etching, brush stroke or digital drawing board he touches. These works are merely the start of what Mike hopes will be a long, enduring relationship with a like-minded creative audience.