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From the age of eight, Michael Patrick Maness has been drawing or writing something for somebody. From limited edition posters to album covers for “Warner Brothers,” and “BNA” records, for over 30 years he has been in the business of art, advertising, and marketing. Michael has contributed stories and illustrations to regional and national magazines and has also worked for many Fortune 500 companies. Since 1997 Michael has battled Lymphoma and Bone Marrow cancer. In 1999, underwent a “stem cell transplant,” which is an alternative treatment to a “bone marrow transplant.” He is currently undergoing therapy to keep his cancer in remission. His struggle with cancer and the subsequent side effects made it impossible to continue his career in commercial art and marketing. However, because of his cancer, Michael has been reborn. He has discovered a new love, a new profession, and has rediscovered a long dormant talent for painting. Michael’s unique style and iridescent colors are indicative of a new passion for life and a unique interpretation of his surroundings. Michael’s brush with death has given him a new attitude and perspective on life. He states “I see the world from a different angle than most people. Instead of a constantly changing world, a crowd doing the expected; I paint the individual and focus on the individual’s spirit to tell a story.”
In June of 2005 Mike, at his Cancer Doctors suggestion, began a band-aid treatment of Rituxcian Chemotherapy to keep in check his reoccurring Lymphoma. Usually he bounces back with in days of a chemo treatment, this time he kept getting worse. In the last days of July it became bad, and Mike was scared. He was admitted into the hospital. Four days later during a pulmonary exam his pulse crashed, he woke-up in ICU, then a few days in cardio-care and finally in Early August home. The diagnosis: Congestive Heart Failure. A month later Katrina Destroyed New Orleans. He had 15 paintings in the 940 Gallery in the French Quarter that are now floating in down some levee in Louisiana. To cap off 2005 was Hurricane Wilma. Just months before Michael had established a gallery to sell prints of Costa Maya Mexico to passengers of Cruise ships. The purpose was to build a small school-house for the residents of the tiny town. The Yucatan Peninsula had a rough time that year. The tiny town of Costa Maya was brushed by no less than 4 tropical storms and sat on by Wilma. Mike lost a gallery, and a few thousand prints. The good news is a foundation was set for the school before Wilma took aim. Mike is bouncing back again, another 22 pounds lighter, healthier, sober, and happy to say; painting again. 2006 marked a fantasy for Mike, his first published song with acclaimed song writer/producer Doug Johnson, “If He Hadn’t Died”, a song about Mike’s experience with living and dying. He was also named the Official Artist for the Blues Music Awards. 2007 re-introduced Michael back to the World of marketing. He was still painting and raising money for now over 80 charities. In October in 3 days Mike’s collaboration ( 2 canvases and a painted Les Paul Donated by Gibson Guitars), with Rock and Roll Hall of Famer, Steve Cropper raised in donations $38,000. Michael Patrick Maness lives in Southaven, MS. He has had several one man shows throughout the South. At present Mr. Maness’s goal is arranging art show’s to raise money for charities all across the world. Michael P. Maness is ARTbyMPM .com the Virtual Gallery The Philosophy of the Paintings Contrast and color have always been staples of my life. I look at the world from a different angle than most people do. I see a different perspective, instead of a constant changing world, a crowd doing the expected; I draw the individual and focus on the individual spirit to tell a story. I used to see the world in black and white, not a contrast of right and wrong, not in popular culture, but in light and shadow. Now because of changes in my life I see the world through a kaleidoscope. I see the colors that make-up a color. I choose a subject to paint based on the mood I can create with my acrylic pallet. I try to pick a story to paint rather than a moment passing through time. I hope that as a person views my work they feel a story, one that has a beginning, character development, a problem to solve, and a happy ending. I hope to show through my use of color and tone that happy ending. Michael P. Maness
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MICHAEL
P. MANESS a Biography
“I used to view the world in black and white. Now because of the changes in my life, I see the world through a kaleidoscope. I see the hues that make-up a color. I choose a subject to paint based on the mood I can create with my pallet. I try to pick a story to paint, rather than a moment passing through time.