Travel, culture, nature, and folktales...these are the main sources of inspiration for my artwork. Growing up in small town America, running barefoot every summer, and crafting with any medium I could, I pull from the unabashed joy of my childhood and utilize my love for new adventures and storytelling to craft a bold and colorful narrative.
Living abroad in Asia for several years greatly influenced me as an artist. I draw on my experiences like hiking the mountains in Jinju, South Korea, trying new and delicious food, and learning how to interact with a culture and language vastly different from my own. Being a “foreigner” (expatriate) humbled me. I was ultimately motivated to make art that reflected humans’ fundamental need for acceptance.
My art is primitive in style and unapologetic in attitude; I often tell stories about subjects for which I am particularly passionate: civil rights (particularly women’s rights), folktales, and celebrating heritage. I enjoy working with watercolor and acrylic to convey modern folk art.
Hi, I'm Marni!
I'm a folk-artist specializing in watercolor paintings.
Contact
Exhibitions
2018 Solo / Duo Exhibitions:
"Cabin Quilts" - Free Range Brewing, Charlotte, NC
"Americana Culture" - Old Ox Brewery / Loudoun County Arts Council, Ashburn, VA
"Hooked" - Cafe Nola, Frederick, MD
"Day of the Dead" - Free Range Brewing, Charlotte, NC
Group Exhibitions:
"Cactus Gallery's 13th Birthday" - Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
RAW Artists Showcase - Howard Theatre, Washington, DC
"Art All Night" Tröegs Beer Event / Calico Bar - Washington, DC
"Super Mario 35th Anniversary Tribute Show" - Bottleneck Gallery, NY
"Isle of Dogs" - Spoke Art Gallery, NY
"Miyazaki Pop Up Art Tribute" - Spoke Art Gallery, NY
"Tiny Treasures + One" - Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
2017 Solo / Duo Exhibitions:
"Woman, These Are Yours" - Free Range Brewery, Charlotte, NC
"Superstitions" - Cafe Nola, Frederick, MD
Group Exhibitions:
"Tarot/Day of the Dead Show" - Splendorporium, Portland, OR
"Dia de los Muertos" - Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles, CA
"A Tribute to Guillermo del Toro" - Copro Gallery, CA
"Miyazaki Art Show" - Spoke Art Gallery, NY
"Resist" - Zenith Gallery, Washington, D.C.
"In Dreams" A David Lynch Art Tribute - Spoke Art Gallery, NY
2016 Group Exhibitions:
"32nd Annual Frederick Holiday Art Competition" - Delaplaine Visual Arts Center, Frederick, MD
"No Big Heads" - UAA Student Union Gallery, Anchorage Alaska
"Bad Dads VII" - Spoke Art Gallery, NY
"Space Trip Art Show" - Gristle Art Gallery, Brooklyn, NY
"Artomatic" - Frederick, MD
Published Work
2017
Compound Butter #6
Washington Post
2016
Kult Issue #18 "Superstitions"
Stolen Publications Volume 5
Testimonials
News
"Super Lady," a watercolor painting created in honor of the hilarious fictional Marge Gunderson of the movie Fargo, by the Coen Brothers, will be on display with Spoke Art NYC's show February 3-25, tributing the dynamic film-making brother duo.
Local Folk Art, Watercolor Painter
January 05, 2018
Marni Manning was interviewed for the local Fairfax Woman and Alexandria Woman Magazines January/February issue. With her New Year's themed artwork gracing the cover, Marni spoke with writer Ashley Claire Simpson about her journey with watercolor, living in Korea, and the driving motivation behind her art.
September 07, 2017
Artistic Moods is a fantastic blog showcasing artists and illustrators, so I'm thrilled to be included among all the talent! Check out some of my 2017 folk art calendar girls featured - the originals are on sale in my webshop!
"Renaissance of Beer" takes top Art of Tröegs honors
June 30, 2017
Every year we have to pinch ourselves. “Wow! Did we really get all of these incredible submissions for the Art of Tröegs contest?" We loved each and every piece, but there was one that made our smiles just a bit bigger, and that was the “Renaissance of Beer.”
May 26, 2017
Marni Manning is a folk-artist based in DC, but is making the trek back to her hometown of Charlotte to collaborate with sister A.C. O'Dell for their exhibit, «Woman, These Are Yours.» The show is a tribute to every woman, the people-pleasers, and the workaholics.
April 15, 2017
Tonight, on the 27th anniversary of Twin Peaks, Spoke Art NYC will open its doors for “In Dreams,” a group art exhibition entirely inspired by David Lynch’s cinematic work. It’s the second time the contemporary art gallery pays tribute to David Lynch, but their first time in New York City.
April 26, 2017
"These Are For You" original watercolor to be included in the the May-June 2017 exhibit "Woman, These Are Yours" was submitted to the blog Eat Sleep Draw.
May 26, 2017
Marni Manning and A.C. Odell's first collaborative effort comes to you as a folk art / poetry show, in Charlotte, NC at Free Range Brewing. Opening night is May 26, 2017, 6-8pm.
April 15, 2017
My piece "Card Tricks" was exhibited with the group show "In Dreams," a David Lynch art tribute show presented by Spoke Art Gallery in NYC. Bleeding Cool covered the exhibit and featured my original watercolor.
May 26, 2017
Vspotz has us covered! RSVP through the website to attend our art show, "Woman, These Are Yours"
October 29, 2016
My piece "Bean Security" was included in Spoke Art Gallery's "Bad Dads VII" group show, a Wes Anderson tribute. Inspired by the movie, "Fantastic Mr. Fox," this painting was created with watercolor on paper and has since sold.
December 12, 2016
Folk-artist Marni Manning created a series exploring superstitions from New Orleans. This one, plays with the idea that the Devil could come to you in any form. The superstition reads: