Michael Seale, 21

Recipient Business Warrior Award

Paintings By Michael Jr.

In his own words...

"I was born August 12, 1983, weighing in at 2 lbs. 8 oz. My brain became swollen, and my right lung collapsed, but 53 days later I was released to my parents at 4 lbs. Six months later I was diagnosed with spastic quadriplegic* cerebral palsy.

"I was born to paint. When I was six years old, I first tried painting. A whole new world opened up. This was something I could do without help from other people and brush painting gave me a forum to express my thoughts and feelings. Although some can't understand when I speak they often can relate to me on a creative level.

"I am happiest when I see how my paintings generate positive emotions. Thanks to the professional staff at Rancho Los alamigos for helping me on that journey."

The passages above were written as a thank you to the staff of the Rancho Los Alamigos for a book about patients there. 

If you have attended any Expos in the past, chances are you have happened upon Michael Seale.  You might not have known what to make of this young man in a wheel chair with the grin as wide as the sun.  Maybe you never paused to speak with him to find out just who he was. 

But if you did, you met a remarkable, self assured businessman.  At 21, he is a veteran of Expos since he started exhibiting in 1997.  He started as a member of Tomorrow's Entrepreneur's today and remembers his first expo.

After it was over I said "Hmmm, I am a businessman now.  What do I do next?"

What came next was for him to study business, and to invest in his business.  He knew that it would be through business ownership that he would become self sufficient.  Although he had a mother and father committed to his every need, he thought about the future and began to prepare.

He worked hard, too. "Ask anybody who knows me.  I am the hardest working man you will ever meet!" he said.

In 2002, he graduated from Pacific Palisades Charter High School attended Otis College of Art and Design.  He switched over to El Camino College. and he is just a few units shy of graduating . ("I am so excited!") and hopes to continue his education at USC.

Michael began painting in November of 1996 and marketing his art assemblages and mixed media. To date he has created well over 200 original works. Now available for purchase, commission, usage rights, fund raisers, product placement, graphic art illustrations, etc.

He is a motivational speaker for hire subjects: "How to reach your full potential"; "Life Story" are his favorite topics. 

He sells his art sometimes at the Santa Monica Promenade and prides himself that his key chains are now all over the world due to the hundreds of tourists he meets from China, Germany, Switzerland and beyond. 

When he is not hard at work on painting or the business of distribution, he takes some time for himself.  "I love movies, " he said.  This summer he read the Godfather from cover to cover and he enjoys listening to Mozart and Beethoven.

Harold Hambrick, Expo Executive Director, named Micahel to head this year's Tomorrow's Entrepreneur's Today as they stage their annual Youth Summit  Friday Sept. 10 at the Expo.  That same morning, Kenneth Adams, VP Public Affairs of Farmers will present Michael with the Business Warrior Award.

The prior Saturday, Sept, 4, Michael joined the guest list of those who traveled to KJLH's L.A. Speaks Out, hosted by Jacquie Stephens.  He stole the show with his business  motivations. 

Whenever Harold sees Michael, he asks him "What are we going to do today?"  and Michael replies with glee "Make Money!"

Paintings By Michael will be located in Booth 1211

www.paintingsbymichaelsealejr.com

 

*quadriplegic n : a person who is paralyzed in both arms and both legs Source: WordNet ® 2.0, © 2003 Princeton University