In Murray Michael’s case, two doors to traditional jobs with regular pay

cheques slammed closed before two more swung wide open on an exciting, thriving career that capitalizes on a distinctive artistic flair and today’s advanced computer technology.

After completing a diploma in illustration from Sheridan College, Michael toiled for a small toy company before the work was out-sourced to China. He then tried his hand in the home security business, but as the recession hit, sales plummeted.

The enterprising young man fell back on a passion that piqued his interest in grade school. And in just over a year, the artist has sold his work across Canada and the United States, England, Ireland, Dubai and the Netherlands, among other locales.

Michael has discovered a world full of potential buyers right on his doorstep through the social networking site Facebook.

“I honestly believe I wouldn't be able to sell like I have if it wasn’t for Facebook,” said Michael. “It started off with a fan page and just took off from there.”

Michael opened the fan page in April 2009 and was quickly joined by 500 “friends.” By December, the number had climbed to a thousand. Then in just a week, earlier this month, the fan base increased by 75 people — more than 10 each day. Michael posts his work to Facebook, and on several occasions has had an offer within 10 minutes. He has also found success through eBay, where 95 per cent of his art sells within the first seven days of posting.

“I am very fortunate that my work sells as quickly as it does,” he said.

Michael’s clients come from diverse backgrounds, and range in age from teenagers to business owners and individuals decorating their homes.

Clients have described his work as cutting edge, unique, abstract and big...definitely big.

Although he prefers to avoid the larger paintings, Michaels said it seems to be the favourite among clients who find the huge art pieces appealing. He recently completed a custom order for an Alberta resident who ordered a 60-by-60-inch painting.

Michael said he draws the inspiration for his work “from everywhere in life itself.”

“I could be inspired by experiencing other art forms, or just seeing the way tiles in the washroom are patterned together,” he said. “I find my inspiration from everywhere.”

Michael often paints from 9 a. m. to 9 p. m. and completes between eight and 10 new paintings per week.

“...The bottom line is I love art, I live and breath it...Sometimes what I learn from one painting inspires me to paint another.

“I love hearing what people feel when they see a painting, I love seeing the photos of them hanging in homes. I love knowing my painting are hanging all over the world.

“I believe that wherever one of my paintings are hanging, a small piece of my soul is hanging with it, since it took a piece of my soul to create it.”

To view Michael’s work, log onto www.murraymichael.com