SITE NEWS ARCHIVE (2005-2007)
Head to ArtByMPM.com for the latest news!

November 18, 2007 - Fairy Tale Heart, White Water, CropDog the Voodoo King -- all added to the MPM Virtual Gallery.

November 5, 2007 - Michael Maness creates paintings for ICHF

"I was so impressed by Dr. Novick and his volunteer medical team when I saw the Chernobyl Heart film this spring, that I had to get involved with the International Children's Heart Foundation," said Michael Maness. As a four time cancer survivor who hasn't always had good experiences with surgeons, he jumped at the chance to help a surgeon whose life's work is selfless, giving up the "good life" to save children who might otherwise be forgotten.

Read Full Article at BabyHeart.org

October 18, 2007 - Artist Mike Maness and Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Steve Cropper raised $34,500 for Gilda's Club and TJ Martell by auctioning their collaborative art pieces, such as this painted guitar donated by Gibson.

October 11, 2007 - The Virtual Gallery now houses over 400 of Mike's works!  In case you might have missed a few, the website now displays all pieces by year as well.  Click below to browse a specific year in the life of Mike.

October 7, 2007 - Six new works added to the Virtual Gallery

  • The Ying of Yang

  • Once Upon a Time

  • NYC Heart

  • Bogey and Bacall (chair)

  • Fire in the Sea

  • Heart of New York

Also added are new pictures of Mike & Celebrities from Blues Ball 2007

  • Pricilla Presley

  • Jerry Phillips

  • Sam the Sham

  • Steve Cropper

September 4, 2007 - Thorlos is running a promotion that includes a poster gift with purchase of one of Mike's paintings.

September 3, 2007 - Mike's last chemo treatments went well as you might witness the drugs were good. Four new paintings added today -- "my mind on chemo, a bit of 'Out of the Box' thinking."  Head over to the Virtual Gallery

August 19, 2007 - SOUL Collection added to the gallery.

July 29, 2007 - Memphis Music Labels collection added.

July 22, 2007 - New additions to the gallery. NYC Fireworks and North Carolina Path.

July 11, 2007 - Prints now available of the SUN Studio collection.

June 16, 2007 - New Mike with celebrities photos added!

June 2, 2007 - Mike was featured in an article for his donations to Methodist Hospital. The original article can be viewed at The Commercial Appeal.

Artist donates paintings for each year of cancer survival
The Commercial Appeal

By Nevin Batiwalla
June 2, 2007

(PHOTO: Nikki Boertman/The Commercial Appeal

Artist Michael P. Maness, with his painting titled "Sanity," which he donated Friday to Methodist University Hospital. He wants the richly colored paintings -- landscapes, still lifes and portraits -- to brighten the hallways for fellow cancer patients.)

On Sunday, National Cancer Survivors Day will be a day of joy, camaraderie, hope, compassion, faith and love.

On Friday, Southaven resident Michael Maness celebrated in his own way another year of beating cancer. The nationally recognized artist donated his latest painting to Methodist University Hospital in Midtown.

Eight Maness paintings are displayed throughout the Crews Wing of Methodist Hospital, where he has undergone treatment. Each uplifting piece celebrates another year of surviving cancer since he began painting on canvas.
Maness donated the richly colored paintings -- landscapes, still lifes and portraits -- to brighten the hallways for fellow cancer patients. He also donated 70 prints that are displayed throughout the wing.

"It was a morgue," Maness, 50, said. "It was so quiet, so still, there was no life in it."

Maness, who is receiving therapy to keep his cancer in remission, remembers the day he was diagnosed with lymphoma in 1997.

"I threw a telephone through a wall," he said.

His battle with cancer caused a void in his life and cost him his career in commercial art and marketing, including drawing for Mad magazine.

After his stem-cell transplant in 1999 he was put on interferon and other drugs. The side-effects turned him into a different person. The fun-loving cartoonist became an angry, violent and paranoid stranger.

"Everywhere I went, I wasn't a nice person, and I didn't know it," he said. "You don't know your entire personality has changed."

Isolated from the world, Maness suddenly rediscovered his passion for painting. The pictures were bright with iridescent colors. As he started to feel better, his caregivers were the first to realize his transformation.

"I started to treat them better, and they kept buying me canvas," Maness said.

"I used to view the world in black and white," he said. "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 though me."

Maness refuses to let the pain of cancer seep into his art.

"I don't paint anything dark, I don't paint anything evil or sad," Maness said. "I can't -- it's not in me."

Even during the most critical times Maness has been able to remain one step ahead of cancer.

In 2005, chemotherapy treatment resulted in congestive heart failure, his pulse crashed and he woke up in intensive care.

The traumatic event didn't send Maness back into isolation, instead he made a T-shirt that read, "Death: been there done that."

The cancer has returned three times since his initial diagnosis. Each time he finds the strength to stay positive.

"Every time my cancer returns, I throw a big party and let everyone know," Maness said.

May 6, 2007 - Six new paintings added.

"Survivor" a 30"x30" Acrylic Canvas celebrating Cancer Survivors.

"Sock Prints" a 30"x30" Acrylic painting honoring the sock company Thorlos and their sponsorship for the Susan G. Koman 3 day walks in 12 cities.

"TreViegne", a 24"x36" rendition of the Restaurant of the same name located in NAPA valley. This canvas was created for the EtuVin' in Nashville and will be on Display Next weekend.

"Stain Glass Butterfly", a 24"x30" canvas, was painted in Celebration of being a Cancer Survivor. Look closely at the background. There you will see my GRAND niece ( Melanie) and Nephew's (Dalton) hand prints. This painting was created for the Head and Neck Cancer Survivors. The Hands in the background symbolize the family of caregivers, it also is the name of the group. The Butterfly, besides demonstrating metamorphosis, it also shows my praise for the struggle of these Survivors of the Beast.

"Thunder and Chaos" a moving 24"x48" canvas. To be added sometime this week, Cubic Zirconium to paste with in the splash.

"Wine Tasting" sponsored by Hall Wines in the Traviegn Restaurant in Napa Valley (left side of the bar during a wine tasting).

 

 

April 1, 2007 - Official Blues Music Awards poster released (as well as a look at last year's)!

March 31, 2007 - The SUN Studio Collection is now featured!

March 2, 2007 - New celebrities added, as well as two new paintings.

February 11, 2007 - Six new paintings added to the gallery.  All of these will be on display at The Racquetclub of Memphis from February 19-25.

January 29, 2007 - Mike is currently finishing up his annual 6 month chemo band-aid of Rituxan, but that hasn't slowed him down much. The first week of January he once again donated many embellished prints to be auctioned off during The Saint Jude Radiothons in Radio Stations around the USA throughout 2007.

February 19-25, Mike will be displaying his newest canvases during the Morgan Keegan/Cellular South Cup Tennis Tournament for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital being held at The Racquetclub of Memphis.

December 8, 2006 - New Mike with Celebrities pictures added!

December 3, 2006 - Ten new paintings added to the virtual gallery.  Head over to the Mike Maness Virtual Gallery to view the newest additions.

October 31, 2006 - Spring in a Vase received its very own deserving place in the gallery; also, many sizes and prices were updated where missing.

October 12, 2006 - Thirteen new paintings added to the virtual gallery.  Head over to the Mike Maness Virtual Gallery to view the newest additions.

October 9, 2006 - New Mike with Celebrities pictures added!

September 13, 2006 - In celebration of Mike's 7 years of living since his Stem Cell Transplant in 1999 Mike has donated 7 original paintings to Memphis Tennessee's, Methodist Hospital's Cruise "Cancer" Wing. This is where Mike had his Stem Cell Transplant and stayed in Isolation while waiting for his body to accept the cells and rise high enough so he could re-enter the world.

   
 
 
All canvases were chosen for the mood inspired by the pallet and the subject. These paintings are scenes the viewer can fall into and derive a sense of peace. When the fear is induced by the cure of chemotherapy and radiation these images will reduce pain in the mind set and bring about relaxation, and confidence.

September 2, 2006 - The South Will Sit Again!  Mike's newest chair painting now added to the gallery.  It will be auctioned off during the Orpheum's November Charity Event.
 

In case you missed them, here are other classic chairs painted by Mike direct from the MPM Virtual Gallery archives ...

August 30, 2006 - Pictures of Mike live from one of his gallery showings now online!  Click any thumbnail for a full size view:

July 23, 2006 - Mike's Celebrities page has been updated with many pictures of Mike alongside Blues greats!

September 2, 2006 - The South Will Sit Again!  Mike's newest chair painting now added to the gallery.  It will be auctioned off during the Orpheum's November Charity Event.
 

In case you missed them, here are other classic chairs painted by Mike direct from the MPM Virtual Gallery archives ...

August 30, 2006 - Pictures of Mike live from one of his gallery showings now online!  Click any thumbnail for a full size view:

July 23, 2006 - Mike's Celebrities page has been updated with many pictures of Mike alongside Blues greats!

June 19, 2006 - Mike is displaying around 40 odd pieces at Playhouse on the Square in Memphis, TN during the Musical "Urinetown" June 23-July 23.

June 18, 2006 - Twelve new paintings added to the site.  View the latest additions...

May 26, 2006 - Major updates to the Celebrities & Mike page.  There are 18 new pictures to check out from Mike's adventures.

May 11, 2006 - The Blues Music Awards are tonight.  The official 2006 poster features artwork by Mike.
 

May 9, 2006 - Many new celebrity photos added from Mike's exploits around the country -- including a scan of an issue of Country Weekly in which Mike can be spotted!

May 7, 2006 - Various photos of Mike.
 

Apr. 18, 2006 - Mike has a new song he co-wrote with Doug Johnson called "If He Hadn't Died" ... Click to download it today!

Mar. 19, 2006 - Updated some locations and added size information to all the paintings.

Mar. 15, 2006 - Fifteen new paintings added today to the gallery.  Check out Last Party in Oz, or Red's Blues the official poster of the 2006 Blues Music Awards.  Visit the Newest Additions to see all of the new paintings.

Feb. 26, 2006 - *NEW* Online Map showing where Mike's canvases now live across the country.  Click the image below for a larger view

Feb. 25, 2006 - Locations of sold paintings updated.  Online map coming soon so everyone can see how spread out Mike's paintings have traveled!

Feb. 17, 2006 - Lots of announcements on upcoming events for Mike!

Next week Mike's ART will be on Display at the Memphis Racquet Club during the Regions, Morgan Keegan / Cellular South Cup Tennis Tournament benefiting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

During the month of March, Mike's ART will be displayed in the Germantown Theater. In April, his ART will be at the Zodiac Ball benefiting the American Cancer Society. In May, he has the Blues Music Awards, and in June his chemo treatments again while his art will be displayed at Playhouse on the Square.

Feb. 4, 2006 - Prints & Giclees now available for purchase online - shipped direct to your door.  All major credit cards accepted!  Also, 'tag \ category' pages now match the rest of the site in design for easier navigation.  Many more updates to come, stay tuned :)

Jan. 13, 2006 - All of Mike's Original Paintings now have their very own updated page.  Pricing will be added to these pages this week, as well as the ability to purchase Originals, Prints, and Giclees instantly online and have them shipped to you.

Jan. 1, 2006 - Happy New Year! Another 75 of Mike's Classic Original Paintings updated on the site today. The old site's archive is almost completely updated, then we will be added tons of brand new never before scene works by Mike. Stay tuned. :)

Dec. 26, 2005 - Another 50 of Mike's classic Original Paintings have been tagged.  The other half of the paintings will be updated in the coming week, along with many brand new ones!  Online ordering of prints and Giclees will be here in January.

Dec. 17, 2005 - About one third of the artwork in the Virtual Gallery has been 'tagged' ... You can now view similar paintings of Michael's by various keywords!  Just click on the keyword tags for a listing.  The rest of the gallery will be converted to this new format in the coming days, along with the ability to purchase Prints, Giclees, and even Originals direct from the website.

Dec. 11, 2005 - Good news!  The entire site is getting an overhaul.  The new design will feature the same 'fast loading & simple' pages, but you will now be able to see similar grouped paintings and it will soon be possible to purchase prints and originals online and have them shipped direct to your door!

Dec. 9, 2005 - New header art posted.  Entire site redesign coming soon! :)


Email:  mpm@artbympm.com
MPM Virtual Gallery - Southaven, MS - 901-870-0597
All Pictures and Images are Copyright © 2000-2015 Michael P. Maness