Michael received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Ball State University. Upon graduation he held a variety of jobs in a direct care capacity working with "at-risk" youth, adults with mental illnesses and preschoolers with special needs. During this time he continued to draw and paint, exhibiting works on a local and regional level. Michael attended graduate school at Miami University where he received a teaching assistantship and was presented with the Graduate Student Achievement Award for outstanding achievement in research and creative activity. At Miami, Michael began combining his interest in mental health with his artistic endeavors creating a narrative body of work. Since graduating he has continued painting and drawing and has exhibited his work in multiple national and international shows. Michael is a recipient of the Ohio Arts Council's Individual Excellence Award which is given for his outstanding accomplishments in painting. Currently, Michael is an Associate Professor at Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina where he teaches all levels of drawing, painting and printmaking.