About

Email: michael@michaelcbyers.com

Michael Byers uses his optimistic and whimsical attitude to create fun, dynamic, and emotionally driven illustrations. His line work is deliberate and full of energy achieving an instant organic feel to his images.

After graduating from Sheridan College with a Bachelor of Applied Art Degree in Illustration, Michael began illustrating right away. Shortly after he signed on with Sari Schorr of Levy Creative Management. He’s been published in many forms and places with clients such as; The New York Times, Plansponsor, Oprah Magazine, Entertainment Weekly, Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Boston, Globe, LA Times, RunnersWorld, BusinessWeek, Atlantic Monthly, Baltimore, Village Voice, Seattle Met, Houstonian, Hollywood Reporter, and more. He’s been featured in Communication Arts Fresh section, and has also been published as one of the 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide by Luerzer’s Archive.

Michael loves a great cup of coffee, listening to great music, and watching stand up comedy. He lives in lovely Hamilton, Ontario, Canada with his wife and two cats. When he’s not doing illustrations you can find him drawing.

Clients include:

New York Times, San Fransisco Chronicle, Golf Digest, Mental Floss Magazine, Houstonian, Plansponsor, Uppercase Gallery, NY Observer, Money Magazine, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, LA Times, BusinessWeek, Atlantic Monthly, Harvard Business Review, Runner’s World, Bicycling, Baltimore, Family Circle, The Village Voice, BBDO, Cole & Weber, The Walrus, 5280, Seattle Met, Portland Monthly, Texas Monthly, Hollywood Reporter, Bicycling, Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Outside, Outdoor Life, Billboard Magazine, Hemisphere, The National Post, Scouting Magazine, Boys Life, Grantland, Field and Stream, Capstone Publishing, Adweek, INC Magazine, Hour Detroit, Bloomberg and more.

Some achievements and recognitions.
2013 – Award of Excellence from Communication Arts
2013 – First in Excellence in Illustration category for the 28th Annual Pa’i Awards
2013 – Choosen for American Illustration 32 (Website)
2012 – Choosen for American Illustration 31 (Website)
2012 – Accepted into Society of illustrators 55 Annual
2011 – 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide by Luerzer’s Archive
2011 – Choosen for American Illustration 30 (Website)
2011 – Accepted into Society of Illustrators 54 Annual
2010 – Accepted into Society of Illustrators 53 Annual Competition: Editorial & Advertising
2010 – Selected into Luerzer’s Archive “200 Best Illustrators Worldwide 2011/2012”
2010 – Selected for Taschen’s new book Illustration Now Portraits
2010 – Selected for American Illustration 29 (Chosen)
2009 – Selected for American Illustration 28
2008 – Selected for American Illustration 27
2007 – Accepted into Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles Illustration West 46
2007 – CMYK new creatives No. 39
2007 – Merit Award winner for 3×3 magazine Student Awards Annual.
2007 – Selected as a finalist for the American Illustration Website.
2006 – Hambly and Woolley Award for Best in Show at Sheridan Third Year Show
2006 – Applied Arts Magazine Student Awards Annual.

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26 comments

  1. Hey Michael,
    I discovered your art through a Wellington’s beer coaster and I absolutely love your style! Just wondering if you’ve ever done (or would be interested in) work in comics?
    Love your site. New follower right here–can’t wait to see more of your stuff!

  2. Thanks for the nice comments Brent. I have done a couple comics. I definitely would be in to doing more. Just haven’t got around to it yet. Thanks again for the love.

  3. Hi there! Awesome work – thanks for sharing. Would you mind sharing how you create your work – computer, software, inspiration? Which illustrators do you admire? Thanks!

  4. Thanks for the wonderful comments Diane. I essentially draw my images with a pencil on a translucent bond paper. Then I ink them on a more firm bristol. Then I scan the line work and colour and add texture in photoshop. My inspiration comes from older illustrations I think. I love older comics, I love nostalgic things but I do enjoy drawing space type stuff.

  5. Michael, this is a lovely blog. Your style reminded me of the lightness of cartoony artwork while still maintaining a certain depth to it. I’m looking forward to see more illustrations here !

  6. Hi Michael, I just wanted to say hello. I’ve been relishing the fantastic artwork you provided for a piece I wrote for Sabor magazine due out imminently. I had no idea there would be even be so much as a snapshot let alone your brilliantly incisive, sharp-eyed, funny image. It’s like you’ve been living with us! Anyway, a big thank you from both me and Rory – we’re massively chuffed. Very best wishes, Chris

  7. Hi Michael, I’m a Canadian actor living in London (the original, not the Ontario one). Just discovered your work via my friend Chris Neill (you illustrated him and Rory and an imaginary pug, all watching TV). I was knocked out by it. When (if) I get another decent paying acting gig, I’ll be coming to you for a commission of me, my wife and our two cats.

  8. Wow. I never expected I’d hear from you let alone with such nice comments attached. I appreciate the kind words. I will admit that along with the photo reference that the art director sent me I did a little creeping on your Instagram account for some other inspiration. Your piece in Sabor was pretty funny so that helped too. Maybe one day when my wife and I ever get to London we can meet up. Again thank you so much and really glad you liked it. It’s always nerve racking at times when doing likeness of someone. You want the person you’re portraying to like the image as well as the client. All the best from across the pond.

  9. It’s a date. If you come over here do please let us know – it would be great to meet up. In the meantime, I understand you’ve heard from my friend Kerry Shale re a possible commission. Fingers crossed and all that. Very best wishes, Chris

  10. me and a fellow blogger, garycooper57 have started a project, starship gypsies…it’s just a baby but i’d like to add some illustrations…did you check the link?


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