About Michael Israel

Michael Israel began his career in the early 70s at festivals creating his art in front of live crowds. To get into the “zone” he painted in rhythm to music often with a concert sound system and theatrical lighting.  His genre would later be coined “Speed Painting” by the media —Neither history’s masters nor current-day imitators bring masterpieces to life as Michael does! 

One must only be present to be drawn in, engaged, and experience a visceral connection between the music, art, and message which goes in through the eyes and ears and lands profoundly on the heart – there are audible gasps from the audience as Michael paints, passing energy back and forth with the cheering crowd. 

Michael takes the stage, and chaos ensues, a madman with paint and paintbrushes flying wildly, painting in rhythm to powerful music with no apparent purpose, yet when the last splash of paint lands on the canvas, goosebumps raise, and the entire room cheers in the realization that each stroke was indeed precise and with a profound purpose boldly emanating from his canvasses. Even decades after witnessing Michael, fans still rave, yet none can truly explain it to those who have not experienced it!

Fortune 500 companies, celebrities, and world leaders have jetted Michael across the globe to share his vision and masterpieces with their most important people at prestigious venues such as Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, the Olympic Medals stage in Salt Lake with Brooks & Dunn, the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting with Warren Buffett, and for presidential portraits in Washington, DC.

Michael’s charitable initiative Works4Charity™ has given millions in art and entertainment for many worthy causes, including the Special Olympics, Make-A-Wish, Komen Breast Cancer, and Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Michael was born in New York during the mayhem of the ’60s; he began painting at age 2. His childhood was split between a nomadic life traveling across America with his father and an aquatic life aboard a houseboat with his sea captain mother.

By age 6, he was obsessed with martial arts and became a black belt national champion at 17; he credits his Sensei Dr. Mel Wise and martial arts training for his super-fast painting and his bohemian life for his unique vision.

Michael Israel’s motto: “When Imagination Exceeds Reality, Dreams are Born!”