Mike Hart is a fifth generation Californian who was born and raised in the San Gabriel Valley where he still resides today.

Mike's interest in wildlife and the West was part of his family's heritage. His Great, Great Grandfather was a buffalo hunter and Texas rancher dating back to 1821 before migrating by wagon train to California in 1851. This family background along with spending his high school summers working as a ranch hand at his Uncle's cattle ranch in Western Montana helped him develop a deeper interest and appreciation in Western art and history.

For the past 45 years Mike has been illustrating, painting and sculpting but he is especially proud of a research project on San Gabriel Mission infrastructure. His research spanned over a seventeen year period and his illustrations and mapping took him 3 1/2 years to complete. This extensive research and his historical accuracy led to the opportunity of having his own exhibit at the world renowned Huntington Library in San Marino, Ca. These illustrations and maps have been added to the Huntington's permanent collection as well as the permanent collection of the San Gabriel Mission and the Old Mill in San Marino. Hart's recent maps and drawings have been incorporated into San Marino's Centennial book and his recent drawing of San Gabriel Mission's Chapman's Grist Mill, circa 1824 have been published in the 2017 archeological report. He has received Congressional recognition awards as well as City and State awards for his contribution to research, documentation and preserving California's History for generations to come.

Mike Hart is a member of the California Art Club, the National Sculpture Society and is represented by the Redfern Gallery in Laguna Beach, Square i Gallery in Claremont, Seaside Gallery in Pismo Beach, Huntington Library in San Marino, The El Molino Viejo, Catalina Island Museum and the San Gabriel Mission.