Michael was born in Valparaiso, Indiana, USA. After graduating from Purdue University in 1969, he moved to north Texas to work in the aerospace industry. He has helped design fixed wing military jets, helicopters, and Tilt rotor aircraft. Art has always been a passion which he pursues as a hobby in his spare time. During the late 1970s he created a part time business creating direct metal sculpture from brass, copper and stainless steel. From 1986 to 1988 Michael enjoyed painting miniature pewter figurines, of various scales, using artist oils. He created about 50 figurines of dragons, warriors and beautiful woman. Finally in 2002 he discovered the wonderful world of Digital Art. He began using Poser and later added Bryce, Terragen and DAZ Studio. Michael posts his digital art on the Renderosity website, http://www.renderosity.com . He is known as CATMANDO on this website and his gallery contains over 640 posts created in Poser, Bryce, Terragen or DAZ Studio.