Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait Artist: David Ilan

Interviewer: Kimberly Michele Durham

Date: September 9^th 2009

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Question 1:

For those who are not familiar with you yet, tell us about your background. How did you get into pointillism?

I began this drawing technique at the age of 15 and really liked the way you can control each drawing one dot at a time. I’ve been drawing using the pointillism technique for 20 years.

Question 2:

Who have you worked with and/or drawn portraits of/for?

Seinfeld saw one of my drawings and before I knew it I drew the entire cast. That was the start of my celebrity portrait career. I have been drawing celebrities, both on and off screen, for over 10 years now.

Question 3:

You have agreed to do the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait. Who and what convinced you to do this?

Jerry Biederman asked me to do the drawing. Although I wanted to do the portrait, I felt a show of support by the fans was needed first so, I challenged Jerry. If he could get 250,000 fans to vote yes in support of it, then I would agree to start the portrait. Due to so many other tributes, I really wanted to see that we had the fans’ support.

Question 4:

What challenges have you met and how are you working through them?

The biggest challenge has been the opposite of what I originally thought it would be. Almost immediately, we had to update the server, translate into eight other languages and make sure everyone both understood and knew how to join; it evolved rather quickly. There was an outpouring of volunteers, fans, translators, programmers, publicists, and people coming from everywhere to help. The 250,000 came strictly from word of mouth, from 150 countries.

I’m amazed that countries that are at war with each other are coming together in the name of Michael Jackson. You can travel to a little hut somewhere in another country and find a CD of Michael Jackson. Even people who don’t speak English know his songs.

Question 5:

Tell me about the Tribute staff. How were they selected and what role do they play in the tribute?

Let me start by saying, they are simply amazing. We couldn’t have gotten where we are without them. We have an open door policy – if someone wants to help, we welcome them. Of course, some people are able to do more depending on time and qualifications. So we have volunteers and a staff. Some simply help by spreading the word, while others handle PR, celebrity contacts and questions.

Question 6:

How long will it take to complete the portrait and where can others see the progress?

It will take an estimated three months to get the word out to Michael’s fans and complete the portrait. However, we want all the fans to hear about this tribute and have the opportunity to be a part of it, so we are working very hard to make sure we spread the word. Everybody should have the chance to be a part of this, even those with no TV, in hospitals or serving in the military.

Progress of the portrait can be seen at www.MichaelJacksonTributePortrait.comand clicking on the Portrait Update button.

Question 7:

Upon completion of the portrait, where will it be displayed?

Once the portrait has completed the world tour, it will find a home in an exciting place, to be announced shortly.

Question 8:

You mentioned, in earlier conversations, touring the world with the portrait. Can you explain how this will work or where you will be visiting?

We want to go where the fans want us to go, cities big and small. This is the only tribute where fans can participate. At this point, we’re working out the details on where we can go and have begun making a list.

Question 9:

What if any, sponsors/supporters do you have?

Michael Jackson’s closest friends and those who have worked with him are supporting this tribute, including some of the well-known choreographers and judges from the Fox Network series, “So You Think You Can Dance,” Deborah Dannelly, who was one of Michael’s closest lifelong friends and President of the #1 fan club in the world, Don Wilson, the director / producer of the “Man in the Mirror” video, and Al Sharpton, to name a few.

Celebrities are always included in my projects. Past events have included, David Beckham, Scarlett Johansen and Danny DeVito, to name a few.

Comments:

I’m honored to be working on this project. Like everyone else, I was a Michael Jackson fan, but the more I learn – the more in awe I am of who he really was. Now that people are talking, I’m hearing stories I’ve never heard and they only have great things to say. There were things he did that people never knew, donated anonymously and always did what was best for everyone but himself. He was careful not to draw attention from those he was helping; he really used his celebrity status for good.

His fans love him more than any other musician and this tribute is for the fans, the ones who are creating this. I am so grateful to be drawing him and to be representing his fans. I am taking very seriously the responsibility that I have to his fans. He was an amazing person and I just want to make him proud; and do the kind of portrait he would have loved.