We recently connected with Micheline Abounassar and have shared our conversation below.
Micheline , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
“GENIUS WORK OF INSPIRATIONAL WOMAN ARTIST AUTHOR: MICHA”
Artist Author Micha, born around midnight in summer on August 29, 1980.
As a self-taught, self-made premiere artist & author: working with caring talented hands & a giving heart.
Self-funded with my jobs & Founder of Micha’s Gallery International in 2006. In addition, spending most of the time, years, from a young age till date: working on Artistic Magic in the small Glendale studio gallery room. Creating dozens of innovative original art ideas products: paintings, books, shirts, accent pillows, posters, tote bags, etc, & more to come.
Micha’s works, which include portraits of people & pets, landscapes, seascapes, still life’s, books, etc.: have appeared in many renowned: magazines, newspapers, TV shows. Also with a collected long list of admirers, collected by Hollywood Notables.
Working from photographs or just imagination. People love their detailed portraits that can look like 3D photographs or works of old masters.
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. I would love to also receive my PHD.
I believe that with Faith, Hope, Love, hard work, etc: Life’s Obstacles/Challenges can be mostly overcome.
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.
in 2010- i received a Commendation letter from Fr. Umberto Barato ofm, stating: “Micha, Your art is a precious gift from God…”
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 $150 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 2007 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.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
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 over 4 Children’s Books: “Valentine with Dinos”, “Saint Patrick Story”, “Easter Bunnies Duckies”, “Charlie’s Wish for Christmas”, etc.
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, Walmart, Books a Million, Booshop, 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 & books writings: till date.
SEE also MY 5 STARS RAVE REVIEWS
CONTACT ME: ARTIST MICHA
I have also taught art classes. 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 Paintings or Books service’s needs. Thank You & Happy New Year to All.
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.
$15 + – 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”, 9″x12″, 11”x14”, 12”x16”, 16”x20”, 20”x20”, 20”x24”, 24”x30”, 24”x36”, 30”x40”, etc.
$350 to $1500 + – for original paintings. see michasgallery.com, call 818-522-7123 for questions & orders
charities auctions: art paintings by micha: auctioning for thousands of dollars for charities.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Having endless Passion & Drive for my art & writing Talents, Persistence & Perseverance, & learning knowing how to reach your audiences clients.. All for the one purpose to attain my mission in life: which is to help charities worldwide from proceeds that come from sales of my work. Together we can all make the world a better place for everyone.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Always looking for people to partner or collaborate with: including charities & auction houses for live art auctions with my paiintings & books & art products.. bookstores, art galleries, shops, etc..
in additon: my books have also been distributed across America & Worldwide: to over 40,000 bookstores, retailers, libraries, stores, etc.
my books are also being sold at local bookstores, including also at bookstores: BarnesAndNoble.com, Amazon.com, Walmart.com, BooksAMillion,com, Bookshop.org, etc, & everywhere books are sold!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.MichasGallery.com
- Instagram: 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…