Mihelič was born on 27 April 1907 in Virmaše near Škofja Loka and spent his youth in Ribnica. He completed teaching school in Ljubljana (1927) and then attended the Probuda painting school (1925-1927, Professors M. Sternen and M. Šubic). He studied painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Zagreb (1927-1931, under Professors J. Kljaković, M. Vanka, T. Krizman, V. Becić, L. Babić). While still a student he travelled to Italy (1930), returning there in 1938 and again in 1948. He regularly attended the Venice Biennial from 1948 onwards (in 1954, he exhibited work there and received the award for graphic art). After graduating, he taught drawing at grammar schools in Kruševac (1934-1936) and Ptuj (1936-1941). Before World War II he exhibited as a guest of the Independents (Neodvisni), which he again encountered in Paris (1939), where he lived on a grant once again in 1950. He later visited Paris to attend large exhibitions. In 1958 he travelled around Europe studying art. From 1943 on he was in the Partisan army, creating two folders of graphic prints for the propaganda department. After World War II he was among the first generation of full professors at the Academy of Fine Arts in Ljubljana (from 1945 until his retirement in 1970; he often performed the duties of rector and assistant rector). He also exhibited as a guest of Group 69. Among numerous international and Yugoslav exhibition awards, he received the Prešeren Award (1949, 1955, 1965), the Levstik Award for illustration (1949, 1951, 1952, 1956), the AVNOJ Award (1970), Politika's Award in Belgrade (1976) and the Jakopič Award (1978). Since 1965 he has been a full member of the Slovene Academy of Science and Art and a member of the Accademia Fiorentina delle Arti del Disegno in Florence. In 1992 he gave a large number of graphic prints and drawings to the Town of Ptuj, and these are now on permanent exhibition in the Mihelič Gallery. His works include painting, graphic art, drawing (his early works are socially engaged under the influence of the Earth group (Zemlja) of Zagreb, but the experiences of war directed him towards an original fantastic imagery), illustration, stage design and tapestry and he has also created a number of decorative large-scale panels.

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