Mike was born in Gillette, Wyoming in 1963. His passion for wildlife formed early in life as he spent his childhood hunting on his family’s ranch and fishing at his family’s mountain cabin in the Bighorn Mountains. As a young boy, he poured over his father’s extensive collections of books on wildlife art. He especially enjoyed the books on East African wildlife. At the age of 6, he began modeling in clay the animals he saw in those books. He dreamed of going to Africa and at the early age of 10, his wish came true when his family took a month-long safari in Kenya. Mike was fascinated with the animals and the Maasai people. He has held onto the experience his entire life, and the memories from that safari to Kenya spurred his passion for more travel in his early 20’s. After one year at the Air Force Academy, he spent many months traveling New Zealand, Australia, Nepal, India, Egypt, Kenya, Israel, Turkey, Bulgaria, Austria and Germany. Mike continued his travel while attending college at the University of Wyoming. He then went on to visit Hong Kong, Hungary, Russia, and China. After graduating, he started traveling more extensively. Over the years he desired to see more of God’s creation by journeying to many parts of the world, which fed his fascination for wildlife, culture, and art. He claims that the most moving places he has worked were the Serengeti plains in Africa and Denali National Park in Alaska where he spent his time photographing astonishing animals at a remarkably close range. Michael’s photography graced numerous magazine covers, including “Field & Stream” and “Outdoor Life.” His years as a professional wildlife photographer served him well and gave Mike a solid foundation for the sculpture that he is so passionate about today. As a sculptor, Michael has continued to explore his passion for wildlife, following in the footsteps of his father who is a landscape painter. He works to bring his sculptures a sense of the vibrancy of the animals along with anatomical accuracy and a classical feel.Mike and his wife Tracy reside near the Yellowstone River in Paradise Valley, Montana where his studio is filled with mementos from his travels. He surrounds himself with books filled with classic paintings and sculpture. You will find many books on world and American history, and biographies on people who shaped the world. Most of all, his studio pays homage to the animals he sculpts. Mike immerses himself in his favorite pastimes of fishing, hunting, and rafting the Yellowstone River. Lately, he aspires to be a gentleman farmer. Above all, Mike loves his family.Michael now makes his home with his wife, son and daughter in Montana, once again living where the wildlife can still come to him, and where his children will also grow up knowing the animals in the wild. “I work to bring a sense of vibrancy, anatomical accuracy, and a classical feel.” -Mike Barlow