Mike was born in New Mexico and is a direct descendant of the Choctaw Indians. He was exposed to Apache, Navajo, Pueblo and Zuni cultures which inspired him to create turned wood and alabaster vessels from their designs, including unique pieces which combine these two materials.
Mike has lived throughout the West and moved to Reno, Nevada in 1976. He has been turning wood for more than 15 years and has recently begun turning alabaster. He has attended wood turning seminars from internationally known artists. His work has been displayed in the Nevada Museum of Art, and can be found in select galleries in Nevada, Arizona, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.