An artist painter meets Michael Jackson’s children

"Michael Jackson has always been my source of inspiration."

This is what Jamaal Rolle says—a painter from the Bahamas whose work is drawing portraits of famous people.

He has been a guest on ABC and NBC many times. Many of his works are created by chance. Celebrities drop by his studio on Paradise Island and suddenly feel like getting a portrait done.

Jamaal has recently shared with us one of his most interesting experiences, which involved meeting the King of Pop’s children.

"One night, I saw that eight security officers were escorting three children down the street. I recognized their faces—they were Michael Jackson’s children, and a gentleman was with them as well: T.J., a member of the Treyt group, and Tito Jackson’s son."

One of the protective officers saw the Michael Jackson portrait displayed in Jamaal’s studio and was impressed.

"I approached that officer and asked him whether it would be possible for me to present this portrait to Michael’s children as a gift from their father, who had inspired me throughout my life."

His request was accepted. Jamaal presented the portrait of Michael to his children, and they also visited the artist’s other works. Paris was especially impressed by Jamaal’s portraits, including a sketch of her father and Notorious B.I.G., which Jamaal had drawn for Sean Combs (Puff Daddy).

Paris said that this was the most natural portrait she had ever seen of her father, and then decided: "I should have one too."

T.J., Paris’s cousin who is her legal guardian, told her that it wasn’t the right time for this because they were planning to leave for a trip home the next morning, but Paris insisted. Jamaal, who was listening to their conversation, promised that he would fulfill Paris’s request as soon as possible. Jamaal took several photos of Paris to use them to create the portrait.

"Their security officer allowed me to talk to Paris about her portrait. We took some photos and agreed on the one that we both thought was the best. Paris was very excited about this. She was polite, modest, and full of energy."

T.J. also decided to have a portrait made and, for that purpose, took some photos. Jamaal says:

"T.J. was surprised that I remembered him in the Treyt group. He was thrilled that someone in the Bahamas recognized him, and he was smiling."

That same night, Jamaal finished the portraits and contacted one of the Jackson family’s agents to go and pick up the portraits.

"Me and that agent met in the hotel lobby. It was interesting for him to see how much these portraits looked like T.J. and Paris. He said he couldn’t wait to show these portraits to Katherine Jackson, Michael’s mother. He asked me whether I knew that Michael was also a painter, and I confirmed it."

The next day, TMZ reporters called Jamaal and asked him to sell them photos he had taken of Michael’s children in exchange for money.

"I rejected their request and told them that this is improper in our profession and also against my ethical principles."

Source: eMJey.com / The Bahamas Weekly