Watching him work, usually with soothing music playing, you can observe how Leon Manzi is passionate about what he does. It’s everything, even the way he holds the brush, and mixes colours suitable for each subject.

On canvas, he can create just about anything his mind thinks of, from people, situations, to nature, and so forth. He was, indeed, born to paint.

Manzi is one of the many visual artists taking their work to another level. He started drawing diagrams as a child in class, but didn’t think that one day, his art would turn into a business.

One of his paintings. Photos/Courtesy.

His passion to draw started when his father appreciated every little drawing of his. Even when he doubted himself, his father had seen potential in him, unlike some parents who view art as a hobby—not a profession one can earn from.

Driving force

Visual arts, which is what Manzi does, are art forms such as painting, drawing, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, photography, video, filmmaking, design, crafts and architecture. 

Unfortunately, when he was 12 years old, his father, who was and still is his number one support was arrested and imprisoned over issues he prefers not to talk about.

The once happy family turned gloomy as the breadwinner couldn’t provide for the home anymore. "Life at home completely changed as it was only my mother left to provide all financial needs, like school fees for my siblings and me,” he says.

The 20-year-old painter says that although life was hard, his mother toiled to provide food and cater for their education. Unfortunately, during that time, he had lost interest in drawing and he was occupied with studies. However, after completing high school in 2019, things changed. 

His father was set free, he came back home, and continued to support him just like before. Because he wanted him to acquire more skills in art, he paid an artist to train him, and learn the basics like how to sketch, use oil medium when painting, and some techniques to use, and much more.

In a short while, he was ready to do this professionally. As he drew, he wanted to tell his story, the hardships life threw at him, and how he was able to overcome them. For him, art was a way to express what he feared to say out loud, and a medium of healing. 

"If it wasn’t for my father believing in me, I wouldn’t have been the artist I am today. Parents have the power to influence their children’s dreams, positively or negatively. If my father didn’t want me to do art, he would have disheartened me and my future would have been crushed. It is his support that has pushed me this far,” he says.

As he paints, he wishes to communicate the message of love and hope.  He works with an online art market known as Komeza Art and Indiba Art Gallery where he displays his artwork.

Manzi participated in a group art exhibition (ISI YACU) organised by Komeza Art in July. He says that his prices are based on the size, the time spent on them, and the material (oil and acrylics) used.

The prices range from $40 to $2,000. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business and IT at the University of Kigali and looks forward to opening his own art gallery where young artists can showcase their work.

You can reach Leon Manzi on 0782647487