My journey

Michael Bennell (Mike) is a British born contemporary visual artist known for his rugged, textured painting style. Mike uses social media to share his artistic journey of each piece.

Mike Bennell relaxing on a sofa beside his painting Zombie Rogers on an easel. — Mike with Zombie Rogers

Mike Bennell sitting on a sofa, looking across at his painting Forza Kimi! on an easel. — Mike with Forza Kimi!

Bedford

Mike was born in Bedford UK, and from early on developed a love for creating visual and structural art. He studied Art at A level, concentrating primarily on printing and sketch drawing.

After leaving school, his path changed, and he studied Business and Marketing at University. During this time, he stepped away from art, but the passion for creating didn’t go away. Studying business gave him the idea of becoming creative and designing images for potential clothing brands. This is when the sketching reignited his passion for art once more, which would lead him towards the medium he now uses.

Mike standing on a rocky plain in front of a glacier and mountains in the Canadian Rockies. — In the Canadian Rockies

Travelling

On leaving university, feeling disillusioned by the corporate employment market, he went travelling to Canada, USA, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and Laos, always drawn to seeing different artists and techniques, visiting galleries such as the Dallas Museum of Art, the Rubell Museum and the street vendors of Thailand and Vietnam.

On his return, he set himself a challenge: to teach himself to paint and find a style, medium and subject matter that would grow and post to social media.

Mike sitting on a stool beside his painting Spidey Senses on an easel. — Mike with Spidey Senses

Teaching himself to paint

By February 2026 he had completed six paintings each one getting bigger, and perfecting his style using not only brushwork but using palette knives and ink pens. Taking inspiration from modern artists such as Slawn, Opake and Werner Bronkhorst.

His entire journey from this point has been followed on social media, gaining followers and positive interaction. His collections have spanned across “Marvel” ‘FOR I AM DOOM!’, ‘SPIDEY SENSES’ and ‘ZOMBIE ROGERS’ to sporting legends ‘KANE’ and ‘FORZA KIMI!’

Whether you are an art lover or enjoy the subject matter, come along on Mike’s journey, see him grow and develop and support his continued determination to do what he loves.

View the gallery

Get in touch

To buy a painting, commission one or ask about prints, send Mike a message on Instagram or an email.

Buying a painting. Tell Mike which painting you’re interested in. He’ll let you know if it’s available, the price and how delivery works.

Commissions. Tell him who or what you’d like painted, roughly what size, and when you need it by. He’ll come back with a quote.

Prints. Signed, numbered A3 prints of Zombie Rogers and For I Am Doom! are in his Depop shop.

Mike replies to every message himself, usually within two days. He films each painting from blank canvas to the final detail, so follow along to see what’s on the easel next.