Artist Statement
Through textured palette-knife painting my work explores the intersection of abstraction and the natural world. I’m inspired by visuals from the natural world, including landscapes, wildlife, and architectural forms.
Working primarily in acrylic on canvas, I build thick layers of vibrant color with a palette knife, creating surfaces rich with texture and movement. The physical process of layering allows each piece to evolve organically, revealing unexpected relationships between color and structure.
A recurring element in my work is the use of geometric square overlays that intersect with the painted surface. These shapes introduce a subtle architectural framework within the composition, fragmenting and reassembling the image in ways that echo aspects of Cubist structure. The result is a dialogue between order and spontaneity—between the expressive energy of the paint and the structural clarity of geometric form.
As I continue to explore these themes, my aim is not simply to depict a place or subject, but to capture its energy and emotional resonance—inviting viewers to experience the painting through an intuitive and layered visual language.
Bio
Joe McManis is a Colorado-based painter whose work explores the intersection of abstraction and the natural world. Drawing inspiration from the the environamnet his vibrant acrylic paintings combine expressive palette-knife surfaces with structured overlays.
McManis has been engaged with the visual arts since childhood, when drawing first emerged as a natural form of expression.
He earned his BFA from MIU in Fairfield, Iowa, where he studied sculpture and painting and minored in art history. His academic training emphasized both the structural discipline and expressive potential of artistic practice, shaping an approach that balances formal composition with intuitive exploration.
McManis later built a long career as a graphic designer, where years of working in visual communication refined his sensitivity to balance, form, and visual narrative. This design background remains evident in his studio practice, providing an underlying structural clarity that supports the expressive qualities of his work.
He is now a full time artist and exhibits his work throughout the Southwest at juried fine art festivals and at Rox Arts Gallery in Littleton, Colorado.
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