I’ve never been very good at fitting into boxes.

Maybe that’s why I became an artist.

I’ve always had a complicated relationship with authority. Not because I don’t respect people or tradition, but because I struggle with being told what I should paint, how I should paint it, or what kind of artist I’m supposed to be. The moment someone tries to put me into a category, something in me wants to push back. I don’t fit into a mold. I never have.

My work is a reflection of that.

I was born in Venezuela, raised in America, and somehow I feel like I belong to both worlds while also feeling like I don’t fully belong to either. I am Venezuelan, and I am American—but I am also something in between. I carry pieces of both cultures, both histories, and both ways of seeing the world.

You can hear it in my music.

One day my playlist might be filled with Noah Kahan, Tim McGraw, and Ryan Bingham. The next it’s Willie Colón, Bad Bunny, Elvis Crespo, Celia Cruz, or anything from my Venezuelan roots. Then somehow Pavarotti and Taylor Swift end up mixed in there too. My taste has never followed a straight line, and neither has my art.

I’ve always been drawn to the American West. Not just because of the landscapes, but because of what they represent. There is something raw about the West—the freedom, the independence, the history, and even the lawlessness of it. It was a place where people carved out their own paths, where rules were tested, and where survival depended on grit and determination.

That spirit speaks to me.

When I paint the towering rock formations, endless skies, wildlife, and places that define the West, I’m not simply trying to recreate what I see. I’m not interested in making a photograph with paint.

I’m trying to capture what those places feel like.

The silence of standing beneath a massive canyon wall. The warmth of sunlight hitting red rock. The loneliness and freedom of an open landscape. The stories hidden in the dust, the mountains, and the people who have passed through those places.

My paintings are about emotion, memory, and connection.

Through expressive brushwork, bold color, and a focus on light and atmosphere, I strive to capture more than a location. I want people to feel like they were there—to experience a moment, a place, or a story.

I’m an artist who refuses to stay in one lane. I paint landscapes, wildlife, people, and places that move me. I follow curiosity. I follow feeling. I follow the story behind the subject.

Because at the end of the day, I’m not interested in painting what I’m told to paint.

I’m interested in painting what I can’t ignore.

I paint because I’m fascinated by light, color, and the way they can completely change how a place feels.

Working primarily in acrylic, my style blends impressionism with urban sketching. I love loose, expressive brushwork and leaving the sketch lines visible. Those lines become part of the painting, adding movement, energy, and another layer to the story.

Color is a big part of how I paint. I use bold, vibrant colors to capture the feeling of a place rather than simply copy what I see. I want the painting to feel alive—loose and spontaneous, but still intentional.

I’m especially drawn to the people, wildlife, and landscapes of the American West. What keeps me painting is that moment when something makes me stop and look—the light hitting the land, the atmosphere, or just the feeling of being there.

My goal is simple: I want my paintings to make you slow down, feel something, and for a moment, feel like you could step right into the scene.

How long have you been painting?

I’ve been an artist my entire life. As a kid, I was the one asking for art supplies instead of toys or new clothes, and honestly, not much has changed. In 2019, I decided to pursue art full time, and it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Today I teach, mentor aspiring artists, create paintings for collectors, exhibit my work, and compete in plein air events. It’s been an amazing journey, and I’m grateful I get to do what I’ve loved since I was a child.

How do you price your paintings?

I price my work by the square inch, but it’s about more than just putting paint on canvas. Every painting includes the cost of archival-quality paints, professional materials, and the logistics of creating and transporting larger work. Anything bigger than 48x60 inches—or some of the odd-sized larger canvases—often only comes in packs, even when I only need one. Those costs are all part of creating original artwork that’s built to last.

Do you do commissions?

Yes. I prefer to do work that fits into the rest of my themes and styles.

Do you offer workshops?

Yes I offer a 12 week online landscape painting course PAINT WITH FREEDOM

Do you paint on site or from photos?

A little of both! I paint outdoors (plein air) whenever I can because there’s nothing quite like experiencing the light, color, and atmosphere in person. I also take reference photos while I’m on location so I can use them later in the studio for larger paintings.

Do you sell your artwork framed?

I don’t frame my artworks. They do come ready to hang. I leave the choosing of the frame to you because you know what decor fits best in your home.

2nd Place Plein-Air event at Valdese Lakeside Park, NC 2022.

People’s Choice Selection at Foothills Plein-Air Festival, Elkin NC 2022.

Southport Plein Air Festival 2024, Award Winning Artist.

Honorable Mention & People’s Choice Award at The Valdese, NC Plein Air Festival 2024.

Southport Plein Air Festival 2025, Latana's Gallery and Fine Gifts, Plein Air Award Winning Artist.

People’s Choice Award at The Valdese, NC Plein Air Festival 2025.

People’s Choice Award at The UP YOUR ARTS Southport, NC Plein Air Festival 2026.

Best of Elkin Award at the Foothills Plein Air Festival Elkin, NC 2026

Plein Air Painting Instructor, Self Employed, NC, 2024-Present

After School Art Instructor for NCMA ( North Carolina Museum of Art) AIM Program & Residency 2026

After School Art Instructor for Iron Station Elementary, NC 2025

Founding Member, Newton Plein Air Festival, Newton, NC 2026

Plein Air Instructor in Collaboration with HMA (Hickory Museum of Art) 2026

Live Venue Painter — Roots in the Garden Summer Concert Series, Boone, NC (2026), capturing the atmosphere and beauty of the venue through live plein air painting.

Live Venue Painter — Premier Sotheby’s International Realty Open House, Blowing Rock, NC (2026), plein air painting on location in the Blue Ridge Mountains, capturing the feeling and atmosphere of the place.

Live Venue Painter - F.A.R.M. Cafe presents: Small Bites for a BIG Cause Boone, NC. Painted on location at The Mill in Rock Creek. 2026

Live Venue Painter- In collaboration with HMA ( Hickory Museum of Art) & Autolawn. Painted on location for the Autolawn Euro car show. 2026

Voyage Utah Magazine

August 3, 2022

https://voyageutah.com/interview/check-out-manny-a-maldonados-story/

Voyage Utah Magazine

February 12, 2025

https://voyageutah.com/interview/meet-manny-a-maldonado-of-iron-station-nc

LKN Magazine

April 1, 2025

https://lkn-magazine.com/art-speak-manny-a-maldonado/

Bold Journey

July 29, 2025

https://boldjourney.com/meet-manny-a/

Canvas Rebel

March 9, 2026

https://canvasrebel.com/meet-manny-a/#google_vignette

My work is part of a private collection throughout the United States, including: Kentucky, Chicago, Houston, California, Washington State, Utah and North Carolina.

2026 Group Exhibition, Rock School Arts Foundation Galleries Old Rock School, Valdese, NC, March 6-April 3, 2026

2026 Group Exhibition, NoCo Art Gallery Newton, NC. Spirit of the Wild October 7-November 15, 2026

Guild of Charlotte Artists

American Impressionist Society Inc

North Carolina Plein Air Painters

High Country Plein Air Painters

Charlotte Urban Sketchers

Gaston County Art guild

AU Painting Challenge Community