We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Mani C. Price a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Mani, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about when you first realized that you wanted to pursue a creative path professionally.

I knew I wanted to be an animator from a very young age. I worked hard and prepared my portfolios as early as 5th-6th grade. By 8th grade, I applied to enter either Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, a.k.a. the “Fame” school, or Art and Design. I tried out for the test and interview. In the fall of ’96, I entered Laguardia as an art major. I was disappointed they did not have an animation program of any sort. At the time (late 90s), they barely had video and film. Afterward, when I applied for college, I sought Cal Arts as my top choice. Though accepted, my parents were going through a divorce, so I opted for SVA’s Animation BFA program instead. During this time, I worked at various internships and work studies with indie animators such as Signe Bauman, Bill Plympton, and Christy Karacas.

Mani, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Sure. What do I do? Well…

My work spans decades across multiple media.. I have been an animator, fine artist, webtoon creator, and educator. Growing up I have always been fascinated by mythology and spirituality. After studying animation at School of Visual Arts I found myself drawn into the fine art world. My work has been shown internationally in galleries and as private portrait commissions where I attempt to bring out the dark sensuality hidden within the subject.. My mission has always been dedicated to create works that reveal the good and shadow side of everyone. I aim to empower people to help them embrace the sacred within themselves through art.

After the pandemic shut everything down live gallery shows became impossible for a while. During that time my focus has shifted more to storytelling and comic creation. Whether through comics, webtoons, or my oil paintings, I work on exploring the ways in which the realms of the ethereal and the grotesque come together to create a greater whole.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Painting saved my life. Back during the Great Recession I was going through a tough time. I’d had my first miscarriage and had recently been let go as an adjunct instructor of 3D animation. I now had no work and was still living with family. Things were looking bleak. At a friend’s request and insistence, I went to one of the events the artist Alex Grey was having in NYC. This was back when COSM was just starting and the loft was still steel bones and concrete. I attended the talk and was moved by what Alex had to say about his life and about art as spiritual practice. After the Q&A I went up to him and told him my situation and how creatively blocked I was feeling. He told me, “paint my demons,” and “if all you have is darkness and black paint, just get it down and all out of you.” Little did I know he was paraphrasing a famous artist quote but I took the suggestion seriously and sincerely. I continued to paint for a while as a personal outlet. Eventually I went to Pier 94 Spring Art Show the following Spring. Inspired by all the artists in Fine Art community, I realized it really was possible to actually make a living as a painter. I thought “If they can do it, why can’t I?” Thus I made the career shift from animator/educator to a full-time fine artist.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

Delivering the final result of a commission and seeing the client’s reaction. Seeing them go, “OMG!” Is so worth it for me knowing a piece will be appreciated and cherished for years to come. Especially on the big commissions where you’re partnering with, let’s say a carpenter on a particular project. The last big project I did was during the pandemic. It was an ancient Egyptian fashioned altar done in the Middle Kingdom style.. As for the journey or the act of creating itself, it’s a rewarding meditative experience that allows me to center and focus just on one thing for hours. When my attention is not divided or consumed with multitasking.I am just present and problem solving on an art work. It’s like a form of meditation.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://manitheuncanny.com/
• Instagram: http://instagram.com/manitheuncanny/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ManiCPrice/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@manitheuncanny
• Other: https://www.webtoons.com/en/creator/manitheuncanny https://www.threads.net/@manitheuncanny

Image Credit: 
Angela Coup
Website: badbabesboudoir.com/