Born in 1957, Auckland, New Zealand

Michael went to Elam School of Fine Arts, Auckland University, to be a painter and left a product designer. However after completing a Masters of Fine Arts degree at the University of Illinois, USA, and a successful international design career, in 2015 he decided to try pastel and was immediately hooked, as the medium suited his photo-realistic style and love of detail.

Recently Michael has been doing a series of paintings based on Kiwiana and the iconic BuzzyBee toys. However journeys along New Zealand's roads also provide his inspiration and subjects of interest include: old weathered sheds, barns, railway carriages, windows and doors, old locks, and farm animals (mainly cows).
 
Michael has won several awards internationally and here in New Zealand, and has been exhibiting his work regularly since 2015. 

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