Hi Micheline, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
“INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN ARTIST WRITER: GENIUS WORK”
Born in the summer of August 29 around midnight in Lebanon in 1980, as an establishment in Glendale for over 25 years, working with caring talented hands & giving heart: as a self-taught, self-made premiere artist woman, I founded & self-funded my company Micha’s Gallery International in 2006. I spend most of my time, years, from a young age till date: working on my Artist Magic in my small Glendale studio gallery room. I have created dozens of innovative original art ideas products & more to come.
My works, which include portraits of people & pets, landscapes, seascapes, still life’s, books, etc.: have appeared in many renowned: magazines, newspapers, TV shows, with an accumulated long list of admirers, collected by Hollywood Notables.
I work from photographs or just my imagination. People tell me that they love my detailed portraits that look like 3D photographs or works of old masters.
I have also taught drawing & fine art classes.
Invited also to several renowned charitable organizations with Celebrities events with my artwork live auctions.
I use my imagination as I put images on canvas, with research & extreme passion. I love helping Charities with donations that come from sales of my work.
CHILD PRODIGY & EDUCATION
With a spiritual vision: my art story began when I was 5 years old in Lebanon, where I won first place in schoolwide art contest. While sitting at my grandparents’ dining room table, I drew a drawing entitled “Message of Love!” A nun was going to Church to pray on one side of the paper & a group of kids were throwing trash running around a pool. The drawing was Juxtaposition between good & bad.
At seven years old, I made a prayer cove & collected $1,500 to help the disabled.
After spending few months in Nazareth, at 8 years old, my family & I settled on the Greek island of Cyprus to escape the war in Lebanon. It was here that I used painting & drawing as a coping mechanism to relieve the stress of having to leave my war-torn-country. “Some of these characters were depicted singing, dancing having a good time. The characters kept me company & made me forget about the war!” some of these drawings I sold to neighbors; as my neighborhood art business inspired me as a young artist to explore entrepreneurship.
My family & I arrived in America on the eve of Halloween in 1990. After teaching myself learning the English language fluently as an astute student, my story inspiring as an epitome for immigrants & all: I received many honors & awards, also from Presidents: in my elementary, junior high school, College, & University.
I painted Jesus & Mona Lisa in High School, around age 17, & wrote children’s stories in College that my professor loved & distributed to the class.
My teachers & professors often kept my art & writing projects as an example to other incoming students.
My H.S. art teacher awarded me a scholarship to Otis College of Art & Design.
I received my AA degree from GCC in 2004, & received my BA degree in 2021: in Management Entrepreneurship from NCU. I love studying & receiving A grades on my research papers.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I believe that with Faith, Hope, Love, hard work, etc: Life’s Obstacles/Challenges can be mostly overcome.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
HIGH-PROFILE CELEBRITIES & CHARITIES RECEIVE MICHA’S ART:
Humbly, a renowned Awards-winning Master Artist who’s done several paintings, also for high-profile Celebrities! With a large following of Collectors.
My Artworks of Jesus & Mary of Nazareth were Gifted to His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI & presented to him during his pilgrimage in Jerusalem & Cyprus, & then taken to the Vatican, Rome.
2010- Commendation by Fr. Umberto Barato ofm. “Micha, Your art is a precious gift from God…” see letter.
Jay Leno: comedian/entertainer also loved & received his portrait painting by me.
Simon Cowell & America’s Got Talent Productions also loved & received their portraits paintings from 2018 till date (at Simon Cowell’s office) (more sensation).
Howie Mandel also received loved his paintings.
I also painted paintings of AGT hosts: Tyra Banks & Terry Crews.
AGT: the #1 Biggest Talent Stage Show in the World.
Billionaire Ambassador of St. Lucia to the Holy See & St. Jude Children’s Hospital Ambassador Mr. Gilbert Chagoury also purchased a painting from me of Jesus & he presented it to Billionaire Philanthropist Business Man Mr. Carlos Slim Helu (with a $86.5 billion net worth according to Forbes) at Beverly Hills Avenue of the Stars Hotel in 2009: which was also televised to millions of viewers Worldwide!
Renowned Writer/Actress known also for SNL: Saturday Night Live, Golden Globes, Emmy Awards, etc.: Writer Fran Gillespie purchased a painting as a wedding gift for friend Actor/Comedian Kyle Mooney.
More Celebrities that I met also include: Actress Melissa Joan Hart, Loud Diamond Phillip, Actress Kristy Swanson, Actress Catherine Hicks, Actor Red Crow Wester man, Paula Cole, CNN senior writer Melanie Hicken (who wrote an article in latimes about my paintings also being presented to The Pope). etc.
I also presented my paintings to: H.E. Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, Actor Bradley Whitford, EWTN & Mother Angelica, Special Olympics CEO & Hospitals, St. Patrick’s Cathedral in N.Y. & other Cathedrals, Harley Davidson Love Ride Foundation, TCL Chinese Theatres Owner/Producer Elie Smaha, & many other High Profile Celebrities & Charities.
INNOVATIVE SUCCESSFUL ARTS IDEAS
I have nurtured a flourishing business from my small space in Glendale. People say they love my detailed beautiful paintings & distinct talent… I love the feeling of having help from God.” I love working quietly in my days & years at work, & seeing crowd of people getting-together online as well to watch me bring life to my canvas paintings & books. My paintings prices range from $250 and up, from hundreds to thousands of dollars, also with my signature. Some of my works, include some of my favorites, which are entitled: “The Savior” “Weeping Virgin” & “Fairy of Hope”, etc. A print of the “Fairy of Hope” was live auctioned for $17,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Association Charity.
Christie’s & Sotheby’s Biggest Auction Art Houses that sell art in the millions have also shown interest in my Paintings.
It’s not about money, the feeling that people get from their paintings makes me Happy. People are Excited Happy with their Paintings, they laugh & cry, & Hug & Kiss me; for these are the Priceless moments.”
AWARDS/ LATIMES GLOBAL ARTICLES / TVs/ MAGAZINES…
I received several Accolades & Awards Internationally: see Wall of Awards: including National Register’s Who’s Who Awards for many years. Including also from City of Glendale LA Arts & Culture Commissions for my paintings presented to the Pope “being an “overnight sensation!” Finding my calling: as an Inspirational Woman Visionary CEO Artist/Writer. My artworks & I have been featured in the LATIMES & Internationally on TVs, in Newspapers & Magazines, & online as well: Worldwide since 2009 till date.
PROFESSIONS
For several years combined: some of my jobs & studies included: Art/Writing, Accountant/CEO Assistant in Construction & Real Estate, Loan Processing, and Store Décor/Design & Sales. Swim Instructor, Business Law studies & Health. Etc.
VISIONS
I love helping Charities with donations that come from Sales of my work. Helping Charities for: Children, Women, Men, Families, Veterans & the Homeless, Cancer patients, Muscular Diseases, the Disabled, the Environment, Animals, etc.
AMERICA’S GOT TALENT
Also in 2019, from a joke by Jay Leno at AGT, another one of my paintings of Simon Cowell & his dogs (that’s in Simon’s office hallway) also became a sensation hit worldwide: it was talked about mentioned online & in all the news & in famous magazines as: Vogue, People, Esquire, MarieClaire, HelloBeautiful, Variety, ENews EOnline, Vanity Fair, etc.
SPECIALIZING IN ORIGINAL OIL PAINTINGS & PORTRAITS / PRODUCTS
I Specialize in Original Oil Paintings & Portraits of People, Pets, Landscapes, Seascapes from photographs or imagination. I sell my unique designs wall art Gifts for any occasion: Holidays, Birthdays, Weddings, Graduations, Baby Showers, Parties, Memorials, etc. For Children, Women, & Men, all ages.
Some of my unique handmade original designs on products include: Wall Art on Canvas, Canvas Prints, Posters, Accent Pillows, Tote bags, Shirts, Greeting cards, books, jewelry, etc. Best Prices Great Quality.
I Love the feeling of wearing many hats: as Rembrandt, Michelangelo, or Leonardo Da Vinci, who was an artist engineer scientist, etc.
AUTHOR & ARTIST: WORLDWIDE DISTRIBUTION
I’m also an Author of 2 Children’s Books: “Valentine with Dinos” & “Charlie’s Wish for Christmas”.
I also wrote several more books that I’m illustrating to publish.
My Books are being Distributed to the Global retail network: hundreds & thousands of stores: Amazon, Barnes & Nobles, etc.
My arts & books products are available on my web at Michasgallery.com & in numerous stores & online in the USA, & Worldwide. International markets.
I’m self-publishing at this time. Big art publishers have accepted loved my books.
I have received several 1st place awards for my arts & writing: till date.
SEE MY 5 STARS RAVE REVIEWS
CONTACT ME: ARTIST MICHA
I look forward & invite everyone to connect with me via my web: MichasGallery.com & Tel: 818-522-7123 or email: michasgallery@yahoo.com for any Art or Books service’s needs. Thank You & Happy New Year to All.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
Although we now have digital arts & ebooks, & things are constantly evolving, shifting and changing with new ideas & technologies as well in the digital world market; I still believe & love the idea of always having the original physical artworks & classic physical books. The old traditional ways will always be one of my most favorites.
Pricing:
- $1 + – for bookmark or greeting card. $20 for books/shirts/bracelets/tote bags/posters…
- Canvas Prints: $30 to $300+depends on size etc.
- Original Oil/Acrylic Portraits $200+- depends on size & details subjects etc.
- Canvas sizes include: 8”x10”, 11”x14”, 12”x16”, 16”x20”, 20”x20”, 20”x24”, 24”x30”, 24”x36”, 30”x40”, etc.
- $350 to $1500 + – etc. see michasgallery.com, call 818-522-7123 for questions & orders
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MichasGallery.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/michasgallery
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/artist.micha
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/michelineabounassar
- Twitter: twitter.com/michasgallery
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/michasgallery
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/michas-gallery-international-glendale
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@michasgallery
Image Credits
Micheline Abounassar …
