CALIFA Print

Manuel Sánchez was born in Andalucia, in the town of Bélmez, Córdoba, Spain. At the age of two, his parents brought him to the United States, where he lived for practically his whole life, before returning to his native and beloved Andalucia. He now lives in Malaga, Spain. His painting style is Realistic-Impressionism, particularly in oil. He enjoys painting wild animals, religious themes and portraits, but will paint just about anything that captures his artistic curiosity. His devotion and inspiration for Spanish themes, such as Flamenco, bullfighting and the wild Spanish bull make him a particularly "Spanish" artist. He puts his all into each painting, never signing it until his heart and soul tell him it is finished. Like his dancing, his paintings are filled with love, a fiery depth of feeling and occasional bold improvisation. Which brings us to the story that gives the character to his work. He has been an artist and Flamenco dancer for over 40 years. His style of painting reflects the passions of Flamenco in its emotional, vibrant, and at times, explosive style. His love for the Arts have taken him halfway round the world, adding the layer of experience and the joy of discovery to his art. He began drawing and painting when still very young, winning his first art contest at the age of 8 at his grammar school. He completed a 2-year home study course on the Art of Drawing and later received a four-year scholarship to attend the Arts High School in Newark, New Jersey, where only young artists who have qualified are granted a place. His studies there stood him in good stead when work as a dancer was hard to come by, and brought him to further explore his painting and drawing, often if only to survive, using whatever materials were at hand, such as restaurant tablecloths or dinner plates. Although never allowing his painting skills to become rusty, he decided on dancing as his first priority, since a dancer's time is inevitably limited and age will insist on knocking at the door, invited or not. His painting has seen him through many troubled times, such as when finding himself stuck in a foreign country with an unpaid dancing contract, and has allowed him to live if sometimes not comfortably, then at least happily, doing that which he loves.