Even as a youngster the now successful copper sculptor was obsessed with making the heavy and cumbersome metal look elegant and alive.
Today he creates timeless copper pieces in the workshop once used by self-taught fishermen who created Newlyn's highly collectable 20th-century copper work.
And he has a cunning plan to revive its former glory.
"These walls once reverberated with the masters of Newlyn copper at work, but when the demand died their skills went with it.
"I always wonder about all that lost workmanship and the pieces they would have made but never did."
John MacKenzie, founder of the Newlyn Industrial Class, is credited with being the instigator of the Newlyn Copper Industry.
The painter and illustrator, who came to Newlyn in 1878, instructed local people in metalwork, enamelling and embroidery and painting.
The Industrial Class was enriched by the contribution of John Pearson, a skilled artist and designer who was invited to Newlyn in 1892 to teach at the class.
His techniques and skills greatly influenced MacKenzie and his associates.
However, it was MacKenzie who was largely responsible for what was to become known as Newlyn Copper, designing patterns associated with the village and its industries in a naturalistic style which has much in common with the painting of the Newlyn School. Michael is working along the lines of past masters like Mackenzie, inviting Newlyn school- children to shadow him to develop an eye for sculpting in copper.
His significant commissions, created with co-worker Peter Wilson, include the intricate oak and copper furniture for Newlyn's Trinity church, a six feet, 100-gallon copper rainwater collector for Hampton Court Flower Show, a water feature adorned with hundreds of intricately carved copper leaves for Penlee House, a four feet copper fisherman for Padstow, and countless restoration projects, including Trewidden House, near Penzance.
And his successful trade stand at the Hampton Court Flower Show secured him a certificate of commendation and scooped a contract that could see him working in collaboration with a large show garden for Chelsea Flower Show. "All I'm trying to do is draw attention to simple honest craftsmanship," he said.
"Re-establishing copper brings a sense of pride to the Newlyn community."
For more information about The Copper Works you should log on to www.thecopperworksnewlyn.com
article copyright THE CORNISHMAN