Manny A. Maldonado

Manny A. Maldonado ACRYLIC LANDSCAPE ARTIST
Please Note: I do not sell my artwork as NFT’S. Beyond the canvas, I find solace and joy in pursuing outdoor activities.

Fly fishing, camping, and hiking have become an integral part of my life, allowing me to connect with nature’s wonders. These adventures are even more special when shared with my wife and our two dogs, Dodger and Remy. Together, we explore hidden trails, and embrace the serenity of the wilderness.

This is me being very brave and sharing my first-ever portrait painting.I’ll be honest—this was HARD.Yes, I know how to ...
06/11/2026

This is me being very brave and sharing my first-ever portrait painting.

I’ll be honest—this was HARD.

Yes, I know how to paint. Yes, I know how to mix colors. But portrait painting? That’s a completely different game in a completely different ballpark.

Going into this piece, I was inspired by the bold, loose brushwork of artists like Alpay Efe . In my head, I knew exactly how I wanted it to look. But when the paint hit the canvas and things didn’t turn out the way I imagined, I got frustrated and started beating myself up.

Then I stepped back and reminded myself of two things:

A) I’m not a portrait artist.
B) This is literally my first time attempting a portrait.

Nobody masters a new subject on their first try.

So instead of focusing on everything that needs fixing, I’m choosing to celebrate the fact that I had the courage to try something new. There are definitely areas I want to rework, but the more I look at it, the more I’m starting to like it.

Growth happens when we allow ourselves to be beginners again.

So here it is—my first portrait. Not perfect, but progress.

Giving portrait painting a go for the very first time.I’ve got the sketch laid down, and honestly, it’s a little nerve-r...
06/11/2026

Giving portrait painting a go for the very first time.
I’ve got the sketch laid down, and honestly, it’s a little nerve-racking to share this. Landscapes, wildlife, and western scenes feel familiar to me, but portraits are a whole different challenge. There’s nowhere to hide when you’re trying to capture a person’s likeness.
That said, this is something I’ve wanted to learn for a long time, and what better time than now to jump in and give it my best shot?
Will it be perfect? Probably not. But every artist starts somewhere, and this is my starting line. Looking forward to seeing where this journey takes me.
Stay tuned—paint is about to hit the canvas.

New blog is up. Link in Bio.
06/07/2026

New blog is up. Link in Bio.

Slowly getting back into painting and letting the creative gears turn again.While I’m still taking it easy and listening...
06/06/2026

Slowly getting back into painting and letting the creative gears turn again.

While I’m still taking it easy and listening to my body, I’ve been spending some time sketching out ideas digitally. One series that keeps pulling at me is a Western-inspired collection featuring wildlife, old architecture, sweeping landscapes, and maybe even a few cowboys along the way.

There’s something about the American West that feels timeless—wide open spaces, rugged character, and stories waiting to be painted.

For now, it’s digital sketches and planning, but I’m excited to see where these ideas lead once I’m back behind the easel full-time.

This week, I’m choosing to slow down and focus on rest and recovery. While I haven’t been feeling my best physically or ...
06/03/2026

This week, I’m choosing to slow down and focus on rest and recovery. While I haven’t been feeling my best physically or mentally, I’m using this time to recharge, make improvements to my gallery space, and prepare for what’s next. Link in Bio.

Spent the day exploring Blowing Rock with my wife and our two pups. We enjoyed a nice Sunday stroll through town, taking...
05/31/2026

Spent the day exploring Blowing Rock with my wife and our two pups. We enjoyed a nice Sunday stroll through town, taking in the scenery, stopping to urban sketch, and getting a little painting in along the way.

Of course, I realized after setting up that I forgot to pack my white paint—every artist has those days! Sometimes you just have to work with what you brought and enjoy the process anyway.

Grateful for the slower pace, good company, and a day spent creating outdoors.

Today was the final day of hosting our Plein Air painting series in collaboration with , and we really lucked out with ...
05/30/2026

Today was the final day of hosting our Plein Air painting series in collaboration with , and we really lucked out with some beautiful weather in Conover.

It was great to welcome back one of our attendees and also meet a new artist who joined us for the day. One of the things I love most about painting outdoors is the opportunity to connect with other artists. There’s something special about spending a few hours painting together, talking shop, sharing art supplies, discussing techniques, and encouraging one another along the way.

These gatherings remind me that art isn’t just about the finished painting—it’s also about the community, friendships, and conversations that happen while creating. I’m looking forward to finding more opportunities for us to get together and paint again soon.

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Valdese, NC
28690

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