about
BA (Hons) Illustration, University of Hertfordshire
Foundation Studies in Art & Design, Barnet College
I’m Michael Haynes, a British illustrator now based in Wellington, New Zealand who is passionate about art and graphic design. Along with my deep rooted creative interests, I have an obsession for music and film, which often influences the work I produce. I pride myself on my linework, stylized comic book aesthetic and a bold use of colour. Although I'm classically taught, my current creative approach could best be described as ‘tradigital’. I enjoy fusing both traditional and digital techniques with my imagery and all my new work has been produced solely on an iPad Pro using Apple Pencil.
I've been freelancing in my spare time as an artist/illustrator for the past 10 years, selling and exhibiting my work in galleries, art markets and shops. To date, I've had 2 successful solo shows and participated in many more group exhibitions across the UK's capital. I also assisted in managing a community art gallery in East London, helping emerging artists from the local area set up and get their work shown. I have donated artwork and raised funds for various charitable causes over the years. I ran a popular drawing programme for children called 'Let's Draw!' at a community hub/library in the Wellington Region of NZ and recently launched a more advanced programme, for a slightly older age group called 'Sketch Club' at another library here in NZ's capital.
Creative heroes/influences: Quentin Blake, Tony Ross, Raymond Briggs, Donovan Bixley, Pete McKee, Drew Struzan, Jim Lee, Neal Adams & Tom Paterson.
I've been freelancing in my spare time as an artist/illustrator for the past 10 years, selling and exhibiting my work in galleries, art markets and shops. To date, I've had 2 successful solo shows and participated in many more group exhibitions across the UK's capital. I also assisted in managing a community art gallery in East London, helping emerging artists from the local area set up and get their work shown. I have donated artwork and raised funds for various charitable causes over the years. I ran a popular drawing programme for children called 'Let's Draw!' at a community hub/library in the Wellington Region of NZ and recently launched a more advanced programme, for a slightly older age group called 'Sketch Club' at another library here in NZ's capital.
Creative heroes/influences: Quentin Blake, Tony Ross, Raymond Briggs, Donovan Bixley, Pete McKee, Drew Struzan, Jim Lee, Neal Adams & Tom Paterson.
