How I Almost Blew It with Warren Buffett…
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! 😏
