Meet Manny A.

We recently connected with Manny A. and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Manny A. , so excited to have you with us today, particularly to get your insight on a topic that comes up constantly in the community – overcoming creativity blocks. Any thoughts you can share with us?

When I hit a creative block, I know it’s time to step away from the canvas and return to what fills me up—nature. Whether it’s casting a fly line into a quiet stream, setting up camp under a blanket of stars, or hiking deep into the woods with Amelia and our two dogs, Dodger and Remy, I find myself again.

Something happens out there. The noise quiets. The pressure lifts. I start noticing the little things—the way the light hits the water, the rhythm of our footsteps on a trail, the way Dodger tilts his head at a rustle in the brush. These moments remind me why I paint in the first place. They charge me up, not just creatively, but soulfully.

When I return to the studio, it’s not with forced ideas or pressure to produce—it’s with a sense of clarity and peace. Nature gives me stories, colors, and emotions to translate. It’s where I reconnect with what matters most, and somehow, every hike or cast line leads me right back to the brush with fresh eyes.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I draw inspiration from the diverse experiences that have shaped my life. Born in Venezuela, raised in Utah, and currently residing in North Carolina, I have been fortunate to witness the beauty of different landscapes and cultures. These encounters have greatly influenced my artistic expression.

I use acrylic paints to fuse together the styles of impressionism and sketching. My brush strokes are bold and loose while my sketching is free flowing and intricate. I use a vibrant palette and a playful interplay of colors to evoke the ever-changing mood of nature. Each brush stroke and each sketch captures a fleeting moment, inviting viewers to immerse themselves in the dynamic beauty of the landscapes I paint.

I’m excited to share that I have a few major projects coming up this season! I’ll be exhibiting work at NoCo Arts Gallery in Newton, NC from August 4 through September 14, and I’m also preparing for a solo exhibition at a newly partnered gallery representing me in Southport, NC.

Alongside my own work, one of my biggest joys is teaching others how to paint—especially those who’ve never picked up a brush before. Through a simple, approachable 4-step method, I help beginners break through the overwhelm and discover their creative voice. No experience? No problem. I guide each person through the fundamentals of seeing shapes, building bold color, loosening up brushwork, and finishing with confidence.

Watching someone go from “I can’t paint” to proudly holding their own expressive piece of art—that’s where the magic happens.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Looking back, the three qualities that had the biggest impact on my art journey were tenacity, authenticity, and a willingness to keep learning.

Tenacity was the backbone. There were moments I wanted to quit—times when nothing was selling, or I felt like my work wasn’t connecting. But I kept showing up. That consistency, even when motivation ran dry, made all the difference. If you’re starting out, understand that grit matters more than raw talent over the long haul. Don’t wait for inspiration—build habits that carry you through the dry spells.

Authenticity was a game-changer. The moment I stopped painting what I thought people wanted, and started painting what mattered to me—what I loved, like wildlife, landscapes, western life, and architectural-everything shifted. That’s when my work found its voice, and people started resonating with it. My advice? Trust your perspective. Your story, your eye, and your experience are what make your work unique.

Lastly, never stop learning. Whether it’s mastering a new medium, reading about other artists, or studying light and color while hiking with Amelia and our dogs, staying curious fuels growth. Art is a lifelong journey—be a student of it always.

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Without a doubt, the person who’s been most helpful in helping me overcome challenges and grow as an artist is my wife, Amelia. She’s the calm to my chaos, the logical thinker when my emotions run high. Where I tend to feel everything deeply—every high, every doubt, every creative block—she brings balance and perspective.

Amelia has always believed in me, even when I didn’t believe in myself. From day one, she’s supported this wild, unpredictable journey—through the long hours in the studio, the shows that didn’t go as planned, and the wins that felt like they took forever to come. She’s never once asked me to be anything but who I am.

She grounds me. Whether we’re hiking with Dodger and Remy, talking through ideas around the campfire, or just sitting in silence after a long day, Amelia reminds me why I do this. Her steady presence has shaped not just my art, but the person I’ve become in the process. I’m endlessly grateful for her partnership—and for the way she continues to walk beside me, every step of this creative life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://mannyamaldonado.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artbym.a.m/