Mike Barbour was born in St. John's Newfoundland in 1973 to parents Al and Ada. Mike could always draw at a very young age but never picked up a paint brush until he attended Booth Memorial High School in 1990. There he painted his first two paintings while taught by local artist Ian Sparkes. Mike was then recognized for his talents and presented with a Creative Art award in 1991.

After graduating from high school in 1992 he took sick with a chronic illness that prevented him from painting and drawing freely. He then turned to computers to fully utilize his skills and graduated with a diploma in Graphic Art and Design at Cabot College in 1996.

Thanks to surgery in 2002, Mike is well again and following his dreams of becoming a professional artist. In 2004, he developed his art primarily through self-instruction and workshops with local artist Don Short. Mike released his first Limited Edition Print entitled "Caught in the Rain" in December of 2004 and with his attention to detail is on his way to becoming one of Newfoundland's finest realism painters. He continues his professional career as a Graphic Artist at M5 Marketing and Communications in St. John's.