After leaving a Fine Art course at Falmouth, Michael trained as a specialist decorator, learning graining, marbling, gilding, mural and trompe l'oeil techniques with the London master decorator Len Pardon, working on many famous buildings such as the Ritz, the Clermont and RAC clubs, even a Sultan's palace in Oman. Afterwards he set up his own practise, but gradually wanted to learn more, enrolling at the City and Guilds Art School's Restoration course, where he increased his knowledge of historic styles and fell in love with wood-carving, studying under Arthur Ayres. He spent another year modelling from life under Alan Sly. He went to work for Anthony Harrington in Westerham, Kent. Again he set up his own practise but later took a part-time Master of Arts (Art in architecture) course at the UEL, whilst employed at the Natural History Museum on exhibition and mural work.

Since then he has worked with architects and restorers and for private clients on many prestigious projects in figurative and decorative sculpture (also portraits) including restoration and copies, murals and decorative schemes. Over the past decade he has gradually built up his personal portfolio expanding from traditional figurative work to environmental and social subjects. He has taught wood carving part-time at the City and Guilds Art School.