Michael was born in 1937. He studied at Wimbledon School of Art where he gained a scholarship to the Royal College of Art. On leaving the Royal College he worked as an art director in some of London's leading advertising agencies.

In 1966 he moved to New York to work as a creative director for a London Agencies' New York office. Following his return to the UK he began directing T.V. and Cinema commercials in Europe, America and the UK and undertaking work for British Airways, Coca Cola, Lloyds and Barclays Bank, Ford Motor Company and many more.

From 1981 he began painting between shoots, slowly this became more important to him, and friends began to buy them. In 1997 his work was noticed by Stanley Harris of the Rona Gallery in Mayfair, he invited Michael to produce a one-man show with a garden theme.

Following the success of this show Michael gave up directing to become a full-time painter.