Growing up as an only child in 1970s Merseyside, drawing was my escape, a way to create companionship and make sense of my surroundings. When I moved to Bristol at 16, it became a means to connect, to capture moments and people, preserving them through my art.
Over time, I developed a minimalist line-based style influenced by Hockney and Cocteau, aiming to distil a likeness into a few lines. My paintings, often based on sketches, using bold lines and vibrant tones, reflecting the transcendental nature of colour. My work follows my life - musicians on stage, friends, and family I have drawn for over forty years. Each piece returns me to that first moment of connection.
For years, I carried an A5 sketchbook and pencil. Later, I embraced digital tools such as an iPad, stylus and iPhone, for their immediacy. Acrylics gave way to oils for their depth, and Photoshop led me to lightbox displays. But in a world of screens, I’m drawn back to painting, to the tangible presence of colour and form. My art is about preserving fleeting moments, capturing life before it passes by.
EXHIBITIONS
CIVICAN Cultural Centre / Pamplona December - January 2025
Exhibition of music themed paintings, lithographs, prints and lightboxes as part of the Festival Santas Pascuas
Automatico Music Bar / Cordoba November 2024
Exhibition of music themed paintings, lithographs, prints and lightboxes as part of the Cordoba Destino De Cultura Festival
La Llave Cultural Centre / Malaga October to November 2024
Exhibition of friends and family themed paintings, lithographs, prints and lightboxes
Metropolis Recording Studios / Chiswick London November 2011 - February 2012
Exhibition of Lithographs based on my sketches of musicians 1989 - 2009
Rochelle School / London E2 November 2011
Exhibited painting as part of group show Ghosts of Gone Birds
Somerset House / London July - September 2011
Pictures of Musicians. A career retrospective including Paintings Lithographs and Lightboxes
Richard Goodall Gallery / Manchester September - December 2010
Artist and Repertoire - An exhibition of 60 lithographs based on my drawings of musicians from 1989 - 2009
Drey Gallery / Chelsea July - August 1992
London Girls - An exhibition of 20 paintings of London girls
PRESS
THE GUARDIAN interviews the record exec who drew all the big stars
THE MANIFESTO in conversation with Mike Smith
STANDARD speaks with Mike Smith on how to survive 30 years in the music biz
MUSIC BUSINESS WORLDWIDE humbled Mike Smith collects first ever George Martin award
MUSIC BUSINESS WORLDWIDE the music industry must respond to the greatest challenge humanity faces
MUSIC WEEK Mike Smith on resisting the music catalogue gold rush