Raise Money for Charity: Speed Painter Raises $86,000 in one night

 

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Me and John Legend

In an effort to raise money for charity, I entertained the guests at Fight Night, a Washington DC benefit thrown by Fight for Children.

This was truly a one of a kind event. The benefit supported health and education for low income children and was chaired by Under Armour.

This truly was an event unlike any I have performed at.

 
The stage was set for over 1000 people! In this case, the stage was a boxing ring in the center of the room. I was hired to not only entertain this large crowd, but also help raise money for charity.

The evening started with amateur boxing matches which ended faster than expected.

After the last boxing match, I took the stage for a speed painting performance and painted Muhammad Ali and the Statue of Liberty. These two paintings raised $86,000. Ali sold for $30,000 and another bidder matched that amount for me to paint a second Ali to ship to them after the event. Lady Liberty followed and sold for $26,000. As an added bonus, Ali agreed to sign the paintings so that added some excitement to the live auction.

And that’s not all…

 
As I was leaving the stage I saw MC Hammer in the crowd which brought back a few childhood memories. He was the first concert I ever attended and like most kids I loved “Can’t Touch This.”

Once my speed painting performance was over, the stage was cleared and a piano was brought on for John Legend to perform a short set. A great way to close a great night. I absolutely love to raise money for charity and it didn’t hurt that I also had a backstage seat for this great concert.

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