Mike Bernard British, Contemporary

Mike Bernard is a contemporary British artist celebrated for his vibrant and textured mixed-media paintings that explore coastal landscapes, harbours, and urban scenes. Known for his distinctive collage techniques and dynamic compositions, Bernard has gained acclaim for capturing the spirit and energy of his subjects with a modern, abstract sensibility. Mike studied at the prestigious West Surrey College of Art & Design, before completing his postgraduate studies at the Royal Academy Schools in London. His formal training provided him with a strong foundation in traditional artistic techniques while encouraging experimentation with materials and methods. This combination of classical rigor and innovative exploration became a hallmark of his work. Mike enjoys experimenting with media and techniques, often using mixed media incorporating collage and acrylics. Mike has used paper collage for several years and has developed a highly original and appealing style of his own. As a base to his paintings, it has allowed him to create abstract structures that create layered compositions that blur the boundaries between abstraction and representation. Random textures, colours and shapes suddenly fall into place. This method allows the picture to evolve their own personality as they progress, which avoids them becoming over-representational.