Born in 1959, Michel was raised in Tigerville, South Carolina.  After high school, operated his family’s heating and air conditioning business for twenty five years with his father before a work injury forced his early retirement. 

            An art class in 1977 lead to his initial attraction to pottery.  Michel continued to make pottery as a hobby throughout his working career.  After surgery in 2003, when he realized he would not be able to return to work, Michel decided to turn pottery into his occupation.  He gradually taught himself to make the basic forms and simple decoration.  As his skill improved, his forms became much larger and his decoration much more ornate.

            The Edgefield District of South Carolina is known for it’s rich pottery tradition.  Michel quickly attained proficiency at making large vessels and simultaneously took Edgefield decorative techniques to the next level.  Adding to traditional slip trailing technique,  Motivated by his friendship with Columbia, SC potter Peter Lenzo, Michel began making more elaborate face jugs utilizing a special “inside out” technique.   The sculptural features of these innovative creations are formed from by pressing from inside of the piece, and no clay features are added.  The characteristics of some of Michel’s face jugs are inspired by late nineteenth and early twentieth century work by London’s famous Martin Brothers.

            A portion of is work has also been inspired by the Catawba Valley’s graceful bulbous forms, runny ash glaze, and utilization of glass runs.  It was ultimately the regions picturesque geography and rich pottery heritage that influenced Michel to move to Lincolnton in 2010.  Michel and his wife settled in an 1869 farm house on a large plot a land.  He has already renovated an old barn into his pottery shop and has dug clay on his property.  Michel uses  a gas kiln, but plans to fire his recently constructed wood kiln three times per year.  He is eager to host his first kiln opening at his new location.