Mike Hinckley was born in New York in 1965 but has called the Bay Area home since the mid-70’s. His maternal grandmother was Chicago-based painter Grace Jemsek, who fostered a love for painting by paying Mike and his brothers one dollar for each painting they made.  She strongly influenced Mike’s style of painting, appreciation of creativity, and overall love of art.  

Mike is a writer and a contemporary/conceptual artist.  He works primarily in acrylic and mixed media.  He has studied at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland (now CCA), Sacramento State, and UC Berkeley.  He is a criminal defense lawyer and devout Buddhist, both of which are prominently reflected in the themes of his work.  His work has been shown primarily in San Francisco.