Born in Dunkirk, N.Y., Michael’s first real contact with art came early in life. At age five, his grandmother, whose works hung in the Buffalo, N.Y. museum, would make him sit and watch as she painted. At the age of 13, after her death, he was given all of her equipment and within a week started painting and drawing. From that point on his talent gradually emerged. The standard high school art class is the only formal training that he has ever received and yet the young man won an art scholarship to college.

Instead of college, however, the young artist joined the United States Marine Corps, continuing a tradition started by his father many years before. While overseas, the young Marine was given the opportunity to display his art and made his first real sale as an artist. He had done charity work for Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA), was commissioned for various works and had his works presented as mementos to Major Generals on down throughout his 20-year career in the United States Marine Corp. Living in Colorado Springs, Colorado with his wife Barbara, Michael’s love for art has resurfaced. Michael was accepted and has earned a Masters in Fine Art from the Academy of Art University. What started out as a chore with his grandmother has turned into a labor of love and pleasure for him, his family and friends.