Pat McManus

Pat McManus has been painting wildlife and landscapes since the mid-1980s, expertly capturing the mood and energy of nature through direct observation and photography. His paintings have earned numerous awards and been featured on magazine covers, and are collected worldwide by art lovers and nature enthusiasts. McManus is represented by Park West Gallery.
From elementary school onward, McManus knew he would be an artist, diligently drawing horses and animals. After studying graphic and fine arts in college in 1977, he worked as a photo editor, where hand airbrushing and precise color matching honed skills that proved invaluable for his paintings. He later spent 21 years as a graphic designer for AT&T while pursuing his wildlife art in his free time. Joining a nature photography club taught him composition and design techniques that transformed his creative process. In 2014, after being recognized as a finalist in the MI Great Artist visual arts competition, McManus became a full-time artist, calling it a dream come true.
McManus describes his style as a cross between realism and impressionism, creating animals and landscapes that look real but with softened edges and varied textures. He takes thousands of photographs as inspiration, using portions of many images to construct the most pleasing compositions. After attending a 1997 workshop with artist Richard Schmid, McManus switched from acrylics to oils, preferring their slow-drying properties and luminous glow. He currently resides in Michigan with his wife Mary and their three children.