Michael Martchenko was born in Carcassone, France. He immigrated to Canada with family at age seven. He graduated high school in Cambridge, Ontario then went on to graduate from OCAD University, Toronto. 

He worked as an Art Director in several Toronto advertising agencies. He illustrated his first book, The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch, in 1980. Since then, he has illustrated over 100 books, authored and illustrated two books of his own. He now lives in Burlington, Ontario where he likes to spend his days by the waterfront.