Mike works primarily in wood, carving and turning. However, he also ventures into a variety of other art forms.
The values in the carving community are a bit different from those in the general fine arts. In the carving community, technical skill is highly valued. On the other hand, while unique and imaginative work is enjoyed, there are a number of themes that have become formalized. Within those themes, there is no shame in producing works that are very similar. Santa carvings are a good illustration. While there are some artists who create very distinctive Santas, there are a few rather standard Santa designs that are produced by many artists. A well executed example of such can be a very prized piece. The differences between individual carving styles in formal (I mean formal in the sense of following a recognizable style used by many artists. The Ugly Cowboy is a very formalized type of carving, despite the very casual appearance) pieces can be subtle.
Mike creates some formal carvings (how can anyone resist making the occasional basic Santa?) but for the most part, his work is very original.