This piece was created for The Piccolo Gallery’s commission call, themed 'Juxtaposition', an open prompt inviting artists to interpret the idea in their own way.
The painting shows a Great Blue Heron standing on a sandy beach with its wings fully spread. Bright and deep blues shape the feathers, while the orange beak adds a pop of colour. Behind the heron, the water is rendered in a precise yet organic geometric pattern that gives the scene a stylized graphic feel.
This piece will speak to anyone who loves the outdoors, the quiet power of a heron, and the peace of the shoreline. The heron’s open wings and bright colours make the scene easy to connect with, especially if you’ve ever paused to admire a Great Blue Heron in the wild.
Manna's work will be available for purchase at our Community Online Auction in Oct 2026. Purchases help uplift an everyday artist and fuel The Piccolo Gallery’s commission model.
Exposed - With his wings fully unfurled, the Great Blue Heron is exposed and vulnerable, but by letting his guard down he can demonstrate his full beauty: for attracting a mate, to stretch or dry his sore wings, or to embrace the cool ocean breeze and warm sun rays.
Exposed to the artist, opening self to anxiety and self‑doubt, stepping away from the comfort of the known style to create a commission for Piccolo Gallery’s Juxtaposition Collection. Questioning self if the final creation is good enough, yet willing to forge ahead anyway.
A proud, self‑taught Canadian‑born artist, she paints her lived experiences, drawing inspiration from photographs she takes during her personal interactions with the world around her. Her philosophy is simple: if it doesn’t work the first time, use more paint. Life is full of colours—use them. Be bold, be vibrant, and never let others tell you how you should or shouldn’t create.
Manna, exhibits through the Langley Arts Council (with her first solo show in May 2025), the City of Langley, the Federation of Canadian Artists, and the Abbotsford Arts Council. She also donates work to anonymous fundraisers, contributing pieces to Arts Whistler, North Van Arts, Langley, Abbotsford, and Chilliwack Arts Councils, as well as The Beaumont.
One of her proudest accomplishments is winning the 2025 merchandise design for Pacific Riding for Developing Abilities (PRDA)—a meaningful way to give back to the organization her children attended for hippotherapy.
Her motto: 'I’m not everyone’s cup of tea, and that’s OK!'
