Michael Attended the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh and received a bachelor or arts degree with a major in Philosophy, a bachelor of fine arts degree with and emphasis in fine art painting, and a bachelor of fine arts degree with an emphasis in fine art photography.

Michael Shields artwork can be found in the permanent collections of the Paine Art Center, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh, the John Michael Kohler Art Center and numerous private collections. Michael has placed in every juried exhibition his artwork has competed in. Including the Waupaca Fine Arts Festival, various art shows at the University of Wisconsin, and a juried show at the Paine Art Center.

After graduating Michael was involved in the Jambalaya Art Cooperative.