Mike Hawthorne is a 66-year-old artist, draughtsman, painter, printmaker, journalist and writer.

After a childhood spent in West Africa, he graduated in English Literature at Kent University in 1975, where he published a book of pen and ink drawings and illustrated handbooks and posters for the Kent Students Union. His 1983 show of drawings was favourably reviewed in 'The Voice' newspaper. Kingston Polytechnic printed a series of Mike's posters for their musical events throughout 1981/82. His drawings of the Brixton (1981) and Poll Tax (1989) riots were purchased by The Museum Of London.

Screenprints and drawings appeared on Reggae disc sleeves and Benjamin Zephaniah's 'City Psalms' poetry compilation (1992). Tony Bennett's Knockabout Comics and Paul Gravett's Escape Magazine have published Mike's comic strips. His dynamic, figurative style and subject matter continues to appeal to the young generation and the young-at-heart.