Jorge Manso Art

I've been an artist ever since I picked up my first crayon, or was it a spoonful of tomato sauce? I can't remember which. In my teens my first real art job was working in a screen printing shop where I gained a great deal of knowledge about printing and the business of art. In my late 20's I was the Art Director for a children's garment manufacturer and had simultaneously opened my own printing business. Until just a few years ago I didn't have the time for the pleasure of art, it had always been about business and frankly, it wasn't fun anymore. I grew tired of 'the business' and a life of focusing on work instead of pleasure. Then a fortunate thing occurred in 2007, I got my first puppy. She is now a four year old King Shepherd whom I've named Maggie, a sweet name that fits her personality to a tee. When Maggie came into my life she changed everything. I'm greeted every morning with a lick to the face and I end all my nights the same way. Who can have a bad day with someone like that in their lives? I cannot get enough of her and apparently she feels the same way about me. She and I are together 24/7 whether I'm in my studio, out in the garden, or off on a drive, she follows me wherever I go; we have become inseperable. She has become my muse, my family, and my best friend as well as the subject of most of my work. It was because of Maggie that I have focused on creating pet portraits and it has opened a much happier world to me. I enjoy meeting pets and their parents, and I feel lucky to spend time painting for people who feel as deeply about their pets as I do about my Maggie.