Mike has been interested in drawing and painting from as long as he can remember. After leaving school he studied creative design at Loughborough, where he specialised in visual studies, silversmithing and ceramics. He went on to spend 35 years working in education, writing and teaching art, craft and latterly, computer aided design. Throughout that time he painted as a hobby whenever time allowed. During his time in education, he had the good fortune to work alongside the late Gill Nadin. Gill taught him life drawing and was an inspiration to Mike, encouraging him to paint and draw.