What My Art Means to Others

I love painting, but have generally felt myself inadequate to the task of creating something worth looking at. Taking Manny's Paint With Freedom course helped me better understand the process that goes into creating a painting I want to view more than once. He makes the steps easy to follow and digest rather than everything feeling like an overwhelming race to perfection. I still have a lot to improve on, but getting to where I hope to be no longer feels like the impossibility it once did.

Manny Maldonado's heart is as magnificent as his beautiful paintings. I hired him to teach two painting classes for my church youth group. He taught and encouraged us. He painted a scene right before our eyes and gave us the courage to dive into our own work. Our kids fell into their canvases with rapt interest and creativity, largely due to Manny's inspiration. These two nights were water on the moon. Our kids might never forget those nights. I won't.

So many times when I visit somewhere amazing, I try to capture the moment with a picture. However, more often than not, I find myself going back to look at the picture and find it lacking.

Somehow, through the use of a paintbrush, Manny is able to capture the feeling of a place in a way I was attempting to achieve with a photograph. His use of vibrant colors and bold brushstrokes evokes the same emotions I felt while standing in the very locations he painted.

I also love that I can look at his paintings for hours and never run out of things to see. I can look at the composition as a whole and see how the colors and brush strokes and subject placements compliment each other, or I can go in closer to the painting and get lost in the dark blues and purples that make up the shadows.

Manny definitely has his own voice as an artist and it is one that I will never get tired listening to.

When I saw that my friend Manny had painted my favorite place in Valdese, NC, I reached out right away to own it.

New Hope Habitat of the Apostolic Faith Church in Valdese, NC is distinctive in its architecture and its site.  Manny really captured the "Amazing Grace" of this place.  The long, red sidewalk leading to the church, the  bright shining light of the church building, all against the backdrop of South Mountain Park. The soul of the place is in the painting and I love that I can display it at home.

Chasing shadows, chasing light is where you may spot Manny.

His color filled canvas captured my love of a small coastal NC town that I’m blessed to call home. He has such a unique style that sparked my attention.

Good vibes, Good tunes is the best way to describe Manny

Art & Friendship = best day ever!

Manny’s paintings make me feel so relaxed and at peace every time I look at them. There’s something so calming and beautiful about the colors, movement, and emotion in his work. His art brings a sense of joy and comfort into my space, and I’m so grateful to experience it every day.