Michael Byers

Accomplished illustrator, Michael Byers, has professionalized a distinctive style grounded in his optimistic and whimsical attitude to create fun, dynamic, and emotionally driven imagery. Drawing from his illustrative approach, Byers has recently expanded his practice through engagement of analog printmaking techniques – specifically large-format silkscreen printing. His 2023 collaborative published project, Spring Fling, resulted in an ambitious 19-layer silkscreen that translates Byers’ characteristically vibrant imagery into a new kind of visual experience. In speaking to his experience producing the work, Byers shares:

“It was a welcome challenge to be mindful of the layered nature of the silkscreen process. Unlike creation of my illustrative works that are digitally drawn as a flat, single image, production of this print required an effort of mental recalibration to consider how the image would be manually built through assembly of independent layers of distinct colour. As close as the printed imagery was to the original computer drawing, the result created through the silkscreen medium and process made the imagery come alive in such a unique way.”

Michael Byers has received worldwide recognition for his acclaimed illustrative practice. His work has been published with internationally leading clients such as The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, Sports Illustrated, The Wall Street Journal, LA Times and Village Voice among many others. He has received numerous achievement awards and has been published as one of the 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide by Luerzer’s Archive. Byers holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Illustration from Sheridan College and is currently based in Hamilton, ON.