Whether Mike Call is illustrating a legendary athlete, a musician mid-performance, or a quiet everyday scene, his goal is to create work that feels honest, powerful, and unforgettable.

Call is known for capturing striking likenesses with energy and accuracy. He creates lively, detailed portraits and expressive caricatures, specializing in visual storytelling that highlights, character, personality and movement. He particularly enjoys creating illustrations in the worlds of sports and music where capturing energy, attitude, and iconic moments is essential.

Strong draftsmanship and narrative design are key components in Call’s work. With a background in figurative sculpture and anatomy, he brings a deep understanding of form and movement to his illustrations. Call is passionate about drawing and draws every day, exploring how expressive mark-making, solid structure and dynamic composition can come together to create emotionally resonant images.

Beyond the studio, Call is an educator with over a decade of experience teaching drawing, illustration, and sculpture at both the high school and college levels. He fosters strong relationships with students and encourages creative risk taking alongside technical growth. Mike believes drawing is more than image-making, it is a way of seeing, thinking, and communicating. His master’s in education thesis explored how drawing helps science students observe more carefully, refine their ideas, and share those ideas in meaningful ways. He continues to advocate for drawing as a valuable learning tool across disciplines.

He completed his undergraduate studies at Ricks College and the Lyme Academy. He earned his masters in education from Weber State University. He is completing his MFA through the University of Hartford Art School, class of 2026.

In addition to illustration, Mike enjoys sculpting bronzes, teaching, and spending time with his family which includes his wife, four daughters, and their dog, Sutton.