After studying at the Limerick School of Art and Design, Michael Canning studied in Greece at the School of Fine Arts in Athens from 1992 to 1993, and in 1999 he received his Masters Degree in Fine Art from the National College of Art & Design in Dublin.

Michael Canning's paintings of hedgerow plants confront certain traditions of northern European painting. Neither landscapes, nor still lifes, they convey an atmospheric quality laden with spiritual undertones. Heavy mists shroud the rolling hills of the Irish landscape which part only for the wild plants. The plants are rendered directly from observation. Each painting is built up in layers, using oil paint and wax. They sometimes include the very substance which the painting depicts; ground earth and ash.

Michael finds the plants on daily walks near his home in County Limerick. The names of the plants are not important to him, many are known simply by their local names, some of which are known to be poisons or remedies. The idea that these plants may have healing or adverse properties interests Michael, but it is the not knowing which offers which, that lends the paintings their air of mystery and suspense.

Michael has exhibited extensively throughout Ireland and The UK. Including group events with Jonathan Swift Gallery, Highlanes Gallery Drogheda, Eigse International Arts Festival,Carlow, Boyle Arts Festival, Mermaid Arts Centre, Crawford Municipal Gallery, Limerick City Gallery, Galway Arts Centre and several RHA Annual exhibitions.

His work is included in many private and public collections including: AIB, McCann Erickson, AXA, Butler Gallery, University of Limerick and OPW Ireland. He won the Hennessy Craig Scholarship and Whyte's Prize in 2003 and the Fergus O'Ryan Memorial Award in 2006, all at the RHA, Dublin.