Jermaine backs million-fan MJ portrait

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- A million fans are being invited to take part in the composition of a pointillist portrait of the late U.S. pop icon Michael Jackson, organizers said.

The project has the blessing of Jackson's brother, Jermaine. Diana Ross, Gladys Knight, George Lopez, Adam Lambert, Mickey Rooney, Vivica A. Fox and Floyd Mayweather Jr. also support it, the designers of the Michael Jackson Tribute Portrait said Tuesday.

The portrait is described as a one-of-a-kind work of art being created by Los Angeles celebrity artist David Ilan, who is using a technique called pointillism, that is, making a picture from hand-drawn dots.

Fans around the globe are invited to have a free dot in their name placed on the portrait by registering at www.MichaelJacksonTributePortrait.com. A dot is not drawn until someone signs up for it. Once completed, it will go on a world tour to promote the humanitarian causes Jackson cared about.

"We see Michael's tribute portrait as an opportunity to carry on Michael's work. This is our mission," Executive Producer Jerry Biederman said in a statement.