Island Artist John Manikoff Donates Paintings to Charities
By Eric Fish

John Manikoff, with one of his paintings, Evening Ride, on display during July at the Mackinac Island Public Library. He has donated it to the Mackinac Horsemen's Association to be raffled at the Mackinac Island Horse Show.

Local artist John Manikoff is donating two paintings to Mackinac Island charities this year, one to Wawashkamo Golf Club for the opening party held Saturday, July 7, the other to the Mackinac Horsemen's Association for a raffle at the annual Mackinac Island Horse Show.

"An artists' life is quite singular and solitary," he said, "so anytime you're asked to participate in something that's community service, it's a gift. It's really a blessing, so I think I've been really fortunate to be in the position to do these things."

A portrait commemorating the installation of the new 13th tee at Wawashkamo Golf Course is the subject of Mr. Manikoff's donation to the golf club. The painting, which is fittingly titled 13th Tee, will be raffled with proceeds aiding the restoration and maintenance of the club.

The donation to the Horsemen's Association is titled "Evening Ride" and depicts the horse, Diamond, owned by Mr. Manikoff's sister, Lin Sheppard.

About 30 pieces of his work are on display at the Mackinac Island Public Library through July, with an opening reception held Saturday, June 30.

"For me to contribute and then to get the positive reinforcement and the positive feedback is the highest gift that an artist can receive," Mr. Manikoff said. "This party the other day for me was a dream come true. In the big picture of what happens in the world, it's very small. But in an artists' life, something like that is extremely significant."

Mr. Manikoff has only been painting professionally for about four years. Prior to his painting days, he lived in Los Angeles and worked as a professional musician. He always knew his true calling was art.

"When I grew up, I constantly was drawing," he said.

After earning a degree in art and graphic arts, Mr. Manikoff began his career as an artist painting Mackinac Island, a place he's spent numerous summers in a family-owned cottage near British Landing.

"I had this connection with Mackinac Island and decided I would start painting Mackinac Island," he said. "It immediately resonated with people. It was an amazing thing."

Mr. Manikoff spends his winters at his home in Williamston, but is always busy trying to take that next step in his art career.

"I love everything about being an artist," he said. "From buying the paint, to setting up a canvas, to drawing the picture, to selecting what I'm going to use as a subject, to learning about new techniques. It's a never ending satisfaction of learning. I never, ever feel like I've arrived. I always feel like the next one is a new experience."