Born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, in 1956, Michael trained as a teacher at The College of Ripon and York St. John before embarking on a career which eventually led to headship and then working as an education consultant.  Now retired, he has returned to his first love of painting and drawing, concentrating mainly on landscape and still life. He has actively sought to develop his skills through workshops and courses, learning from local artists such as Julia Borodina, Pennie Lordan, Patrick Smith and Dominic Parczuk. 

In July 2023 he studied under Tanvin Pathare at the Florence Academy of Art in Italy, returning there in July 2024.