An Unforgettable Night at the Peterson Health Foundation Gala!

An Unforgettable Night at the Peterson Health Foundation Gala!

by | Dec 14, 2025

A Night to Remember

Diamond Anniversary Gala 2024

About the Event

The Peterson Health Foundation Gala in Kerrville, TX, was nothing short of spectacular, and Michael Israel’s performance stole the show! With his high-energy, live-action painting, Michael mesmerized the audience, bringing art to life in a way that left everyone speechless. His stunning creations didn’t just wow the crowd—they made a huge impact, raising just under $40,000 for Peterson Health Foundation!

From the moment Michael took the stage, the energy in the room was electric. With every brushstroke, the audience was on the edge of their seats, watching in awe as his masterpieces came together in real-time. By the end of the evening, not only had Michael delivered a show that people will be talking about for years, but he also helped raise vital funds to support healthcare initiatives in the Kerrville community.

It was an unforgettable night of art, generosity, and inspiration, all in the name of a great cause!

What patients say about Peterson Health

Many thanks to Niessa, Kasy, Leah, Jordan, and Celeste (and any other awesome nurses & staff I’ve failed to mention) for the incredible care you showed Josh, Carolina, and I during our stay with you all for labor, delivery, and recovery. We were so pleased with our choice of PRMC and those who served us on such an important and special day as we welcomed our daughter Carolina into this world. Thank you again for being so trustworthy, and for making us feel so at ease and well cared for!

Sarah

HERO – A Heart-Warming Speed Painting Performance Depicting a Firefighter’s Sacrifice to Save His Own Daughter

HERO – A Heart-Warming Speed Painting Performance Depicting a Firefighter’s Sacrifice to Save His Own Daughter

by | Dec 13, 2025

Hero —the most endearing speed painting performance portrays a young firefighter who risks his life to save a child after being told by his chief, “Get Out! Save yourself, the building is collapsing.” Facing the flames and thinking he might not make it out alive, it becomes apparent when he reaches the child she is his very own 4-yr old daughter. Read the full story below.

Don’t miss the end! Goosebumps, cheers, smiles, and tears! This work has helped with many important causes and produced by Wolfgang Films. HERO explores commitment to an ideal. It asks the question: What endeavor would you undertake knowing full well that the odds are you will fail? What would you give your all to knowing you will likely be severely injured or even die trying? What is the greatest possible reward, and in that thought, what is the most valuable and priceless thing on earth? Paul and Chrissie are a young couple in their twenties, and have started a new family. The story as told by Chrissie I’ll never forget that day…It plays like a movie in my mind, over and over. My Husband, Paul, didn’t even eat breakfast that day. He was so excited he wanted to get to the fire station early. It was his first week on the job. Paul headed for the door but realized he had forgotten something important to him…

Jessie, our adorable three-year-old. She came running across the floor and jumped up in his arms…when Paul told her that he loved her, Jessie’s face lit up with a big smile, and in her tiny voice, she said, ” Daddy, will you play with me when you get home?” Paul smiled and said, “Of Course, Jessie… you are why I do what I do!” And then Jessie said, ” Daddy, you’re my big HERO…be careful, Daddy.” I hated that we both had to work, but I was glad Jessie could go to Gayle’s apartment to play with her daughter, Jen. When we got there, Jessie and Jen started playing with dolls right away and chattering about one thing and then another, and I heard Jen say that her Dad worked up in the clouds in the tallest office building. Then on my way out the door, I heard Jessie tell Jen that her Daddy is a Fireman. She sounded so proud. I left feeling happy and proud of both Jessie and Paul. I didn’t know that day would change my life….forever! Gayle told me that Jessie got up to go to the bathroom. Right after she closed the door, there was a massive explosion. Gayle said the apartment was filled with smoke. Without even thinking, she grabbed Jen and ran out. She said she frantically found the Fire Chief and told him that another little girl was trapped in the bathroom, up in her apartment. She told me she didn’t know what to do as the Chief told her there was no way that he could send any more men into that collapsing, old building as it was too far gone. They had also lost two Firefighters in the blaze. Then, Gayle heard Paul’s voice on the radio, saying he was on the second floor. The Chief told Paul to “GET OUT! He had his own family to think about.” … read the rest at http://michaelisrael.com/2012/videos/…

How I Almost Blew It with Warren Buffett…

How I Almost Blew It with Warren Buffett…

by | Dec 13, 2025

How I Almost Blew It with Warren Buffett…

You’re not going to believe this… I couldn’t dream it up! 

Picture this: I’m juggling show dates like crazy—sometimes getting up to eight calls for the exact same night. Talk about high-class problems, right? 

Media from Berkshire Hathaway performance

Well, in the midst of this booking frenzy, my show manager gets a call that still feels surreal: 

“Warren Buffett wants Michael to paint his portrait live at the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting.”

Let that sink in—the most prestigious business gathering on the planet, with 30,000 millionaire shareholders and press from every corner of the globe. No pressure, right?

Stage for 6 AM show at Quest Center entrance

The Impossible Schedule

But here’s the kicker: I was already booked, not just for that day, but for a string of shows leading right up to the Berkshire event. Two days earlier, I’d be at the Reno-Tahoe Open. The next night, I’d fly to Peoria, Illinois, to perform for the Peoria Promise. And immediately after that, I was due in Palm Springs for the Arthritis Foundation (there’s a hilarious story about girl at that show with a secret, but I’ll save it for the end…)

The Berkshire Twist

When my show manager explained that I was already booked for these charity galas, the Berkshire folks offered a mind-blowing solution: 

“We’ll send one of Warren Buffett’s private jets to pick you up.” 

They wanted me to perform at 6 AM before the doors even opened, leaving plenty of time to zip off to Palm Springs afterward. Looking back, it was insane—stressful, exhausting, and yeah, I probably should’ve asked for double pay! 

High-Stakes Logistics

To pull this off, my show manager flew ahead to Tahoe and Peoria, making sure every detail was dialed in. If any event ran late, everything would crumble like a house of cards. Mayor Jim Ardis of Peoria Promise was an absolute rock star—he loved the performance so much the first year, he asked me back. This time, he even arranged a security escort to hustle me out before fans could swarm me. Good call, Jim!

Limo to airport with box dinner

Drop the Brush…

Right at 11 PM, I did my final brushstroke and “Dropped the Brush” in Peoria, said my goodbyes, and raced—still covered in dripping paint—through the crowd to a waiting limo lined with plastic. 

I’m guessing you would not have this problem but, when you are covered in wet paint and it dries, it is stiff, itchy and very uncomfortable…

Fortunately, I had prepare a change of clothes. 

 Next stop?

The cool thing about flying on a Private jet. There’s, No TSA. No lines. The limo pulls right up to the jet and on you go… in this case no luggage, just a boxed dinner, and wheels up for Omaha. My luggage had been forwarded earlier.

Buffett Private Jet

Quest Center Omaha

Cue the 30-Degree Weather…

I’ll be honest: I’m from sunny South Florida, so 70 degrees already feels chilly. Omaha was sitting at a brisk 30. 

My only ask? 

“Please keep my paints indoors overnight so they don’t freeze!”

Well… let’s just say that didn’t exactly happen.

6 AM Showdown

At the crack of dawn, I dragged myself to the convention center. Rows of bleachers crammed with international press. My adrenaline was sky-high. They told me Warren would not be attending—he had a busy day ahead, dealing with 80+ companies. I mentally breathed a sigh of relief… until I spotted him strolling out minutes before I was about to go on.

Warren Buffett came to see Michael paint

Frozen Brushes & Pudding Pops

Then came the announcement: 

“Michael Israel will paint Warren Buffett in eight minutes!” 

Cue the music, the cameras, the lights—I turn to my paint, dip in my brushes, and… they come out like pudding pops. Frozen! 

I was in sheer terror, in front of bleachers full of press from around the world! 

Press gather from across the globe to report on Michael’s painting

What do I do?! 

The music’s roaring, there’s no way to stop. So I just went for it. Painted with pudding pops in front of 30,000 people, cameras rolling, Warren Buffett watching.

The Magic Moment

It was a blur of color and cold fingers. Eight minutes later, against all odds, a towering portrait of Warren Buffett materialized on the canvas.

Sponsored by Benjamin Moore Paints

I was half in shock, half thrilled…

then Warren himself steps up to the stage, only to be stopped by security who cautioned, “Wet paint…” 

He just grinned and said, “I own the stage. Move.”

“I Think We’ll Skip That”

He extended his hand for a handshake, but one glance at my paint-soaked fingers told him, Nope. 

He laughed, I laughed—“Maybe next time.”

We chatted briefly.

The painting was escorted into the convention center by armed guards!

A custom frame, media, and a crowd of people were waiting inside the convention center. 

Guards escort portrait into the Quest Center

And me? After painting and hanging a bit with Mr. Buffett, I sprinted right back to the jet, off to Palm Springs for another performance.

Warren adds his signature to the canvas

 Worth Every Drop of Paint & Sweat!

Wild? Absolutely. Exhausting? You bet. But it was the thrill of a lifetime, a moment I’ll never forget. Sometimes, perseverance (and maybe a dash of insanity) leads to the most unforgettable stories.

FYI – Months after the event, the portrait sold for $100,000 benefiting Girls Inc. of Omaha just after a major market crash.  I can only imagine what it would have gone for if it had been auctioned during the Shareholders’ Meeting.

Key Takeaways

 

For Fans:
My art isn’t just about painting—it’s about passion under pressure and you never know what will happen at each new event. No matter the challenges, a little grit (and maybe a private jet or two) can turn a near-disaster into a jaw-dropping memory.

For Collectors:
Live art forged in high-stakes scenarios comes with a story—and that story can add priceless character and value to a piece. My works aren’t just paintings; they’re captured moments in time. When you buy a piece, you own the experience.

For Corporate Meeting Planners:
Want an event no one forgets? Or to make your message unforgettable? A high-energy art performance with a mind-blowing finale is the spark that leaves a lasting impression—and leaves your attendees buzzing.

For Charities:
The right artwork and message can translate into big support and unforgettable moments. Art resonates on an emotional level, sparking generosity and goodwill that can elevate any fundraiser bringing new sponsorships, admission ticket sales, and inspiring donation like never before.

Next up after painting Warren Buffett… The girl with a Secret

I said my goodbyes that morning in Omaha and jetted to Palm Springs for my next show that same night. I hate sitting around in my dressing room before a show—I’d much rather be out meeting people. If they don’t recognize me, I don’t mention I’m the headliner they came to see… LOL, it’s fun to see when they finally figure it out. Sometimes, I’ll chat with a little old lady about her cat collection, other times, I don’t get to play it low-key when I am booked to do the whole celebrity Meet & Greet in the VIP section. Either way, I meet a lot of interesting people.

 

On this night in Palm Springs… Before my show, I met a stunning woman. Who told me she worked for a magazine but didn’t say much more. She came over after my show and we hit it off instantly—great conversation, lots of laughs. We spent the evening “chatting” (as one does), and eventually, she let slip that the magazine was Penthouse. She said it so casually like she was just another office worker putting together layouts and editing articles.

Purley for research purposes

Curious—but, of course, purely for research purposes—I picked up a copy at the airport on my way home. Flipping through the pages, I turned one, then two… and then—BAM! There she was, spread across multiple pages in all her editorial excellence.

That’s when it hit me: Just like I don’t go around boasting that I’m the headliner, she didn’t feel the need to mention she was the main feature!

Moral of the story? Maybe I should stick around a little longer at events—you never know what kind of surprises the location might have in store! 😏