Bronze sculpture


“I grew up in Northern New Mexico where my mother was a potter. Throughout my early childhood, I was involved in helping her prepare clay. I realized, as a child, that sculpture was my dream.” In 1967, Michael was sent to Vietnam where he was hit by a grenade and would never see again. Rather than deter Michael, his injury made him more determined to fulfill his childhood dream. He began sculpting again while lying in a hospital bed in Japan.

Known as the artist who sees with his hands, Michael is represented in numerous public and private collections, and in national and international exhibitions. His creations in bronze are representational, each one telling a story all its’ own.

In 1976, Michael was presented with the Governor’s Award for Sculpture by Governor Jerry Apodaca. In 1983, he was granted a papal audience at the Vatican where he presented Pope John Paul II with his piece, ''Going Home''. In 1996, he was nominated by President Bill Clinton to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Institute of American Indian and Alaska Native Culture and Arts Development.