When local artist Brett Manning was recently contacted by PBS about being featured on their show "Eye on the Arts" she admitted some skepticism.
Living a secluded life in a rural Royal Center farmhouse she did some research to prove the email was actually PBS and not a scam, Manning finally agreed to let the film crew at her farm for an interview. With the filming and interview complete, Manning's work will be featured on PBS's 'Eye on the Arts,' sometime in late March.
Decades of passion continue to guide Manning's art career.
Originally a Chicago based artist, it was a huge jump into another culture when she moved to her rural farmhouse outside of Royal Center in 2015. The change of scenery set a new tone and inspiration to Manning's work as a freelance artist and illustrator, clothing designer, entrepreneur, and store proprietor.
Dabbling in a wide range of art mediums over the years, it was while Manning was earning a Bachelors Degree in Fashion Design from The Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago that she fully embraced her passion for drawing in ink. The black and white contrast of ink on paper help highlight Manning's unique characters that are often inspired by her real life surroundings.
After Manning began making clothes, candles, frangrances, and more, by 2009, the artist began selling her products on her online Etsy shop, Brettisagirl. Growing a web-based fan following made moving from the city to the corn fields easier, with Manning still able to continue creating, sharing, and selling her work.
By 2016, Manning made some new trails in her career locally. She started collaborating with stores in the Logansport area, who began selling her products. In 2022, Manning stretched her wings even more by opening her own shop 'The Lantern'. It's located on the second floor of Bonus Pints, at 430 E. Broadway Suite B, in Logansport.
Store hours are Wednesday to Friday from 3 - 8 p.m. and Saturdays from noon - 4 p.m. Those wanting to check out her work online, can do so at https://www.etsy.com/shop/Brettisagirl.
(Photos provided by Brett Manning)
