BIOGRAPHY

Michael Israel Bio

Michael Israel is a world renowned American artist, entertainer, speaker, and humanitarian famous for “Speed Painting” performances and inspiring compassion and support for many charities including the Special Olympics, Make-A-Wish, Komen Breast Cancer, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. 

Born in New York during the mayhem of the 60s, Michael’s artistic journey began at the age of 2, when his mother caught him painting on the walls of their home, and promptly critiqued his work with a sharp smack on the bottom! “Michael laughingly says, “It’s been parental revenge ever since!”

Michael has ventured beyond the traditional and accepted styles and “norms” of art and has touched millions of people around the world painting larger-than-life Icons on giant canvasses in rhythm to music in only minutes! “Hero”, Michael’s 9/11 painting performance has garnered over 13-million views and is shown in schools and universities.

Michael’s childhood was spent between a nomadic life traveling across the America with his father and a nautical life aboard a houseboat with his sea captain mother. 

By age 6 he was obsessed with martial arts and became a national black belt champion by 17; he credits martial arts training for his super-fast painting. 

He ran a karate school side by side with his art studio until touring took him out of his studio and away from his dojo where he shared the limelight with celebrities, CEOs of Fortune 500 companies, and world leaders alike. He has painted the world’s grandest venues including Grimaldi Forum in Monte Carlo, the Olympic Medals stage in Salt Lake with Brooks & Dunn, the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting with Warren Buffett, and Presidential events in Washington, DC.

Michael has lived his motto:  “When Imagination Exceeds Reality, Dreams are Born!” by rising from starving artist to world-renowned artist and humanitarian outside of the norm of traditional art exhibitions, galleries, and museums. 

As this bio is written, a new friendship with Christian Mahoney, the owner of Wentworth Galleries has inspired Michael to create an exclusive collection represented by Wentworth Galleries. “Christian is a rockstar among gallery owners who engages people and brings them into the artist’s realm like no other!”, says Michael.

About Michael’s Live Performances

Michael asks little from his audience, all they must do is be present to be drawn in, engaged and energized. He visibly makes the connection between music, art, and the viewer’s heart – there are audible gasps as he works his magic, passing energy back and forth with the cheering crowd during an experience they will remember the rest of their lives!

Navy SEAL, Bob Schoultz

Director, Master of Science in Global Leadership

School of Business Administration

The University of San Diego had this to say:

“You had our full attention and we knew that we were in the presence of something really special, something different from anything most of us had ever seen before… What really impressed me was how you and your performance created a bridge between the military and business worlds, and the world of artistic creativity. You gave them an experience they won’t forget about how an artist can capture the imagination and create a new understanding of the world we live in. Your creative interpretation and blending of pop-culture with patriotism and love of country gave us new insights into the power of art. And of course, the dollars your paintings brought to support programs to support Naval Special Warfare Families will make a huge difference in the morale of spouses and children in families bearing the burden of our fighting men spending so much time deployed”

A few more reviews

“This legitly brought tears to my eyes. For the 4th time watching it…. I’m 17 years old and a guy… I can admit this does…. I may not believe in God… but bless you, Michael! 

“I love this man… I had the honor of seeing him live and I’ll never forget it…”

“Hooah!! That rocked brother!! Awesome and magnificent, emotional, and strong heartedly done! Amen!!”

“This guy is AMAZING thanks for using your talents for good causes I started CRYING the first time I saw this!”

Michael Israel Bio (Short)

Michael Israel is an artist, entertainer, and humanitarian who is world-renowned for his live-action paintings, which have raised millions for charity. His performances are often referred to as a “Cirque De Soleil meets Picasso” experience.

Michael has performed for and with Celebrities, and Fortune 100 CEOs, including Warren Buffett and US Presidents. 

Artist and audiences go wild with a creative frenzy. Wielding multiple paintbrushes in each hand, a black belt in real life, Michael uses all the magical mysticism of four decades of fine art and martial arts training to create stunning artwork that makes audiences leap to their feet.

Art for Humanity! 

One of the most potent and endearing aspects of Michael is his commitment to charity. Not only do audiences watch the fantastic performance with excitement, but they also bid high to buy the finished art piece. 

Individual artworks have sold for as much as $250,000, a testament to how powerful and inspiring his art truly is.

Michael entertains and EMPOWERS audiences to make a REAL difference in the world.

He has a heart as big and grand as his over-sized canvasses, and he has raised millions of dollars for over 100 charitable organizations, including the Special Olympics, the All-Star Children’s Foundation for the Prevention of Child Abuse, the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, and Ronald McDonald House Charities. Michael energizes any event, from Presidential galas and dinners in Washington, DC, to a Global Healthcare symposium in Monte Carlo. He has been on televised performances in Mexico City and shared stages with Jay Leno in Las Vegas. Michael also performed on the Olympic Medals stage in Salt Lake City with Brooks & Dunn. At a Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting (The Super Bowl of all business meetings), he performed a portrait of billionaire investor Warren Buffet, which later sold for $100,000.00 to benefit Girls Inc of Omaha.

A quick search on Google will uncover thousands of rave reviews and comments from people from all walks of life. Here are a few things that have been said about Michael’s show:

“This legitly brought tears to my eyes. For the 4th time watching it…. im 17 years old and a guy… i can admit this does…. i may not believe in god… but bless you michael.”

“I love this man… I had the honor of seeing him live and I’ll never forget it…”

“Hooah!! That rocked brother!! Awesome and magnificent, emotional, and strong heartedly done! Amen!!”

“This guy is AMAZING thanks for using your talents for good causes i started CRYING the first time i saw this!”

It is impossible to witness in a removed manner, even for a group of stoic Navy SEALS.

Navy SEAL, Bob Schoultz 

Director, Master of Science in Global Leadership School of Business Administration University of San Diego had this to say

“Last night, during your introduction, the speaker wasn’t getting much attention from this crowd of Navy Seals, their families and the leaders of San Diego’s business community… Actually I was a bit embarrassed by all the talking and inattention… Within a short time, you had our full attention and we knew that we were in the presence of something really special, something different from anything most of us had ever seen before… What really impressed me was how you and your performance created a bridge between the military and business worlds, and the world of artistic creativity. You tailored your performance to this audience of ‘practical’ men and women and gave them an experience they won’t forget about how an artist can capture the imagination and create a new understanding of the world we live in. Your creative interpretation and blending of pop-culture with patriotism and love of country gave us new insights into the power of art. And of course, the tens of thousands of dollars your paintings brought to support programs to support Naval Special Warfare Families will make a huge difference in the morale of spouses and children in families bearing the burden of our fighting men spending so much time deployed.”

When imagination exceeds reality, dreams are born!