Mike was born in Robersonville, North Carolina in 1958. He started drawing at an early age and he's mostly self taught. Bennett attended school at Oak City High and received a scholarship for year 1975-1976 to the North Carolina School of The Arts in Winston Salem, NC. There, he met Artist Anthony "Tony" Griffin who is the brother in law of the world renown Fresco Artist Ben Long. Bennett spent his summers in the mountains with Long, working on drawing and painting while helping mix lime plaster for The Last Supper Fresco in Glendale Springs, NC. His work can be seen throughout the local communities in homes and business around the area. He has painted murals at the following places:
Weeping Mary Baptist - Hassell, NC
Jones Chapel - Hassell, NC
Roberson Chapel - Parmele NC
Bethel Baptist - Bethel, NC
St. James Museum - Robersonville, NC
Blount Bridgers House - Tarboro, NC
Green Museum of Art - Greenville, NC
Grimesland Baptist - Grimesland NC
mentors and friends
Bennett studied the works of the old and modern day Master Artists such as Jeffery Mims, Chuck Kaspner, Tony Griffin and Ben Long. Other colleagues include:
Richard Wilson - Greenville, NC
Napoleon Hill - Enfield, NC
Dan and Van Early - Raleigh, NC
James Melvin - Nags Head, NC