COLLECTOR FEEDBACK

"Michel Leah creates art that creates environments. Using will and action, Leah mixes colors, solvent and shape on canvas to bring to her largest pieces a stance unusual in today's quick-look art world. Her big surfaces command the attention of passers-by, reward the focus of collectors and transform a wall into a crystal ball.

Living with Michel's work becomes like sharing time with a friend, uncovering in small steps and across colorful boundaries that which draws one to another. Her art unfolds with the short glance of rushed time, the contemplation after a hard day and the shifting realities of twilight. I have been rewarded with the gift of color and grace many times over the last ten years and have been lucky to have the ability to pick and choose that which hangs here in the Ioema collection. Few creations rival the pure power, active style and personal impact of a Michel Leah work."

John G. Yimin, owner
The Ioema Collection
www.outsiderart.info

"Michel Leah, known as The Raw Artist, is one of our top selling artists at Joseph Thomas Galleries in Westchester, NY. She is very talented and unique. Her vibrant style, color composition, and texture come together to create amazing art pieces that our clients have come to love."

Abe Abdallah, owner
Joseph Thomas Galleries
www.josephthomasgalleries.com

"Michel's unbridled enthusiasm for her art is matched by her raw talent. Working with her on a commission piece for Wapango restaurant was a pleasure. She was easy to work with in all regards. Michel created an original masterpiece for Wapango while staying within the project's budget and meeting a pressing deadline. It too was a comfort to have conversations with Michel that did not always revolve around business. Many enjoyable conversations were had discussing our shared love of dogs. I will gladly hire Michel again for future projects."

Beth Worthington, owner
Worthington Design
www.worthingtondesign.net

"Michel Leah's work is truly unique. Often you see an artist's work and your first thought is "it's derivative." It reminds you of Pollack, Klee, Scarlett or Miro. This is not the case with Michel Leah. In addition to being wholly original, her work is powerful, exudes emotion and can be, at times, both dark and uplifting simultaneously. We own one of her works and I know that we will come to own more. Michel is also an inspirational person when one looks at the challenges she has faced in her life. Her experiences clearly come out through her art. To me there is no art more exciting than that which is new, different and being created by "outsider" artists who eschew the gallery system, push the outside of the envelope and, further, not only create outside the box but have thrown that box in the trash. One does not have to read my comments to be convinced of Michel's talent - her work speaks far louder than I." --- J. Johnson, Mill Valley, California

"Shell, you are RAW!! I am completely blown away with your talent & you have changed the way I look at art forever! Your paintings have brought life and personality into my home. I am truly your Number 1 Fan & 4/Life" - Lee Taylor

"Hi Shell, I received your painting today and words seem wholly incapable of expressing how INCREDIBLE it is. What I saw on my computer screen really moved me but those feelings pall in comparison to seeing the real painting. Wow -- I really am without words . . . I feel like I should send you a plane ticket so you can come see how perfect your painting is in the space we put it. You have some serious talent and I now understand with a whole new perspective why your paintings are so sought after. I have become a seeker myself and will be on the lookout for my next Raw Artist painting." - Karen Myers

"Shell, Your work is truly inspiring and amazing!!!!! The masterpieces arrived today and I could hardly contain myself when opening the packages! They are BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!! I can't wait to get them on my walls!!!!! Keep creating!" - Cindy Gregory

"I love your energy, especially the part about ?Forget the starving artist part, I?m making six figures doing this!? The combination of unique and compelling art, raw foods purity, and not being shy or conflicted about economic success is quite refreshing. We?re excited to have your art as part of the collection (and lucky we got such a great deal!)" - Doug Kari

"You are getting too big to get into another bidding war. I bought it outright. (Buy It Now) I hope that immediate purchase will help others realize that they can't sit back and play the auction game and try to squeeze out an unrealistic deal. Anyone looking at you're purchaser comments should be quick to realize that no one has been disappointed with their purchase and, in fact, have been highly enthusiastic." - Karl Junkersfeld

"...no messing around this time...I can't get the other painting out of my head..I love your textures...so when I saw this one...I said IT"S MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" - Amy Rafkin

"Dear Shell, Hey! I got my cross painting in the mail today! They had tried to deliver it on Friday and again on Saturday but we were not at home. I made certain I stayed in so I could sign for it today. What can I say? It is absolutely fantastic! It is going to look beautiful in our living room; the colors compliment our house perfectly. As I mentioned before, I have wanted one of your pieces for well over a year now, so I am glad that I finally have one. I am certain that this will not be the only one I will have in my collection. You are truly talented! Thank you! Have a nice Christmas!" - Sincerely, Tracey Ley

"IT IS PERFECT! I did not receive the package until yesterday afternoon. It arrived about an hour before we headed to Las Vegas to catch our flight back to Pittsburgh. I had time enough to unwrap it and know that it is perfect for the room. I'm sorry that I did not take any pictures, for you. We are going back, to move into the new house, at the end of January. After we move and hang the painting, I will take a few pictures and email them to you. Thank you again for mailing it so quickly. You saved me from a panic attack. Also, a special thank you, for the beautiful Christmas Card that accompanied the painting. The card and the terrific wrapping were greatly appreciated. My husband is very worried that I will be looking for "the Raw Artist" to brighten other rooms... we have many walls. With best wishes," - Diann Urbanek

"Dear Shell; The painting arrived this morning just before noon. It was packaged and wrapped so nice that I didn't know whether to hang the wrappings and throw the painting away! Only kidding! The paintng was all I could hope for. The shine of the paint and the colors make the painting nicer than what the computer displays. I have been watching your work on ebay for probably six months. Waiting for a price I could afford and looking for a place on one of my walls that I could fit it on. I still don't know where I can fit it in! I'll probably have to take some of my other artwork down. Thanks." Frank Wagner

"I landed on this auction 9 minutes before it ended. This win was meant to be - I ran downstairs and made my husband take a look in the last 6 minutes. We are thrilled to add your piece to our eclectic collection (www.RoyoArt.com, www.AddeRussell.com and Tyson Grumm to name a few). The verbiage gives it a personal touch, and the colors - what a natural!!!" - Shannon Hodson

"thank you so much for sending the painting....it is the most beautiful piece of art I have ever laid my eyes on let alone owned personally. I feel so honored to have the piece in my home...it is like nothing I have ever saw before. The colors were so beautiful and the picture on ebay did not do the painting justice...I cannot wait to purchase another piece of work for my home...I am so excited....YOU ARE SO FLY...please continue to create "real art"" - Chastity Champion

"Hello! I have been bidding on your work for a few weeks! I decided to forget the bidding and just BUY! The colors in this work are just too perfect. I love the "RAW" theme." - Brenda Spurlin

"I'm so excited that I finally won one of your art pieces....I just want you to know that I only bid on yours now.... I love your work. I am working w/ an interior designer now at my new home and I showed her your pieces and she thought they were wonderful as well.....she said she usually wouldn't recommend buying from the Internet but that your pieces were too nice not to!!" - Angela Porter

"your DAYDREAMER painting is just a masterpiece! Keeping the piece abstract with just a minor melding of representation is just wonderful. I showed your E-Bay listing to friends at a party last night and they all loved it!" - Wilson Wong

"Oh Shell you have made me cry. If I lived close enough I would be weeping on your doorstep right now. The painting is BEAUTIFUL ... and that word just does not feel adequate right now but no words would. I LOVE IT! You completely captured the feeling/emotion/spirit of the hymn. You are truly a master at your art and I am deeply, humbly grateful to benefit from it. You better not get tired of hearing it because I am going to keep on writing it ... thank you thank you thank you! I LOVE everything you did ... every little detail ... where the words are ... I love that you subtley highlighted "how can I keep from singing?" throughout ... because isn't that really the point of the whole hymn?! I LOVE the colors ... I LOVE the texture ... I LOVE the wash (now that I know what to call it) ... I LOVE the "rock clinging" part ... I LOVE the circle you wove in at the bottom righthand corner ... I could go on and on and on and on ... and I haven't even seen it in person so prepare yourself for when I do! :)" - Karen Myers