Meet Micheline Abounassar | Fine Artist & Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Micheline Abounassar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Micheline, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
Born in 1980, my name is Micheline Abounassar “artist Micha” & as an artist to the Stars for over 20 years, through my art story, i will explain why i pursued an artistic creative career & the thought process of starting my own art business. My art story began at the early age of 5 years old, on a warm sunny day while sitting at my grandmother’s table, randomly sketching on a piece of paper, when suddenly my sketch turned into something more. Through what I believe was a spiritual vision, as a young artist i began a sketch that would be titled a “message of love”. On one side of the paper i sketched a nun on her way to church, and on the other side i sketched a group of kids throwing trash and running around a pool. The sketch was juxtaposition between good and bad. I remember feeling wise beyond my years as my pencil hit the paper. Several days later, as my drawing was entered in a school wide art contest, the piece won first place, it felt good as I was showered with gifts & accolades. I felt like I had more to contribute to the world through my artwork. Escaping a war from Lebanon to Nazareth and then to the Greek island of Cyprus, at 8 years old I used painting & drawing as a coping mechanism to relieve stress of having to leave my war-torn country. I drew Disney & other characters that, for me, came to life and “kept me company”. Some of the characters were depicted singing, dancing and having a good time. “The characters made me forget about the war,” Some of these drawings i even sold to neighbors, and although temporary, my neighborhood art business inspired me as a young artist to explore entrepreneurship. I arrived in the United States with my Family on the eve of Halloween All Saints Day in 1990. Having resided in Atlanta Georgia, Marina Del Rey and Glendale for over 3o years combined, my artwork has evolved to include portraits and paintings of all subjects: people, pets, landscapes, seascapes, religious icons, children’s books, etc. Viewers have compared my artworks to the old masters that can look like modern photographs. I graduated from Glendale Community College with an Associates of Arts Degree in Business & Art. I also received a scholarship from Holy Family High School and attend Otis College of Art & Design. I am now pursuing my Bachelor’s Degree, and also have some experience in other subjects including Real Estate, loan processing, etc. I have enjoyed teaching free art classes to the communities, and participate in several charitable organizations with my artworks, including also the chambers of commerce, rotary, Kiwanis, etc. Humbly, I love helping charitable organizations with donations that come from sales of my work. Some of my artworks have been and are auctioned for charities, including also another one of my art prints that was also a huge hit, was live auctioned for $17,000 at and for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Among some of the dignitaries and charities who have received my art paintings include: The Pope in the Vatican, America’s Got Talent Producers: Simon Cowell, etc. Jay Leno, The Harley Davidson Love Ride Foundation, The Muscular Dystrophy Association, The USO & Wounded Warrior Project, Philanthropist Carlos Slim Helu who also received “Jesus of Nazareth” painting by me that was purchased by Saint Jude Children’s Hospital Ambassador Mr. Gilbert Chagoury, Saint Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, Catholic Network EWTN Mother Angelica &The Nuns, The Special Olympics and Glendale Adventist Hospital & Doctors, City of Hope Doctors, Actor Bradley Whitford, SNL Neil clients & friends, Celebrities, Producers, Writers, etc. My art works have also been featured in the LA Times & Internationally on TV, Newspapers & Magazines to millions of viewers Worldwide. My brother Mike is also an entrepreneur to the Stars at galaxyhometheatres.com. Being a descendant of the Durighello family (who enriched the Louvre museum in France) with my well to-do-relatives, my grandpa who is a real estate business man sent me our history book. Winning several first place awards accolades for my fine art & writing since a young age has also inspired me as an artist. Also, in GCC, when I was 19 years old I also wrote some children’s stories in my English writing class that my professor loved and told me to distribute and read aloud to the class. Having felt more inspired, throughout the years I also wrote & illustrated several children’s books educational stories and i am in the process of completing the illustrations, then editing & publishing the stories. I also had a pop up shop at the Montrose Ca Harvest Farmer’s Market at times before the pandemic. As an entrepreneur, i am now selling my Artworks worldwide online mostly at this time: you can find the links at my website michasgallery.com. I Specialize in Original Oil Paintings & Portraits also from a photograph: your favorite subjects rendered in Oil /Acrylic / or Watercolor: People, Pets, Landscapes, and Seascapes, etc. In addition, I also sell unique handmade Gifts for any occasion: Canvas art prints, art posters, accent pillows, cotton t-shirts, greeting cards, tote bags, handmade jewelry, my children’s book, etc. I invite everyone to connect through my website at Michasgallery.com & www.facebook.com/micha.artist, Thank You very much.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am always extremely passionate & excited about all my unique artworks projects: paintings, portraits, and books, & charitable donations. I also learned that to overcome any of life’s challenges which everyone has, we must always have Faith stay strong and Pray continuously; and as a Catholic, & an artist who respects all beliefs, i Thank Everyone in life for their inspirations

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
There are a lot of favorite spots in the beautiful City & California, etc. These include the oceans & mountains &: LA Zoo, Disneyland, Americana at Brand, Montrose, Beverly Hills, Hollywood, Big Sur, Malibu Pacific Coast Highway, Terranea resort, etc.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shout out to everyone for their love encouragements support, etc: I have been inspired and continue to be inspired everyday by everyone from family & friends & strangers, as well as life in general.. I’m inspired by people now and in history in art math science medicine etc, as well as, i’m also inspired by the animals and nature, etc.

Website: www.michasgallery.com
Instagram: instagram.com/michasgallery
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelineabounassar/
Twitter: twitter.com/michasgallery
Facebook: www.facebook.com/artist.micha
Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/michas-gallery-international-glendale
Youtube: www.youtube.com/michasgallery

Image Credits
micheline abounassar