Today we’d like to introduce you to Lucy Manning.
Lucy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I grew up in eastern North Carolina and have always loved art. I took art classes throughout my childhood and had a lot of great teachers and mentors who encouraged me in developing my artistic talents.
I went to college at UNC-Chapel Hill (class of 2017) and studied graphic design by way of the Journalism School. I am incredibly practical (thanks Dad!), so when it came time to choose a major, I decided I wanted to choose something that would land me a job once I graduated. I didn’t know much about being an artist full-time back then, and assumed majoring in studio art would make art feel like work, rather than fun.
I loved getting to be a part of the journalism program and met lifelong friends through my design classes! It was exactly what I needed and gave me enough of a design foundation to snag internships where I really learned how to be a designer in the working world.
Within maybe a year of being a full-time graphic designer, I realized that I gravitated more to illustration and art than to branding and design. Since then, it’s been about balancing my day job in graphic design and my “dream career” as an artist and illustrator on the side. I’ve been able to shift my online presence from designer to illustrator, which I’m proud of!
I am currently taking on contract work as a graphic designer and continuing my illustration practice on the side.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all! I would say my biggest struggles have been time management, balancing building my “dream career” on the side with other life responsibilities, and figuring out what I actually want to create.
I’ve learned through trial and error over the years that I have to be very intentional about what projects I take on, and thankfully when a design job pays the bills, I can quite literally afford to be picky about what I say yes to.
The other side of that is then finding the time and energy to commit to the craft. I love what I do but it can be hard to balance with everything else going on in life. I have friends who juggle the same things, so it helps to bounce ideas off of each other!
It’s been a journey to figure out what I want to be known for and what kind of work I want to focus on. I think I’ve found my niche but the doubt still creeps in sometimes! I’ve been seeing more discourse online lately from creatives who are craving the stability of a full-time job, and that’s honestly been a helpful reminder to me that I can still be an artist, even if I always maintain a day job as well.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve become somewhat known for my storefront and venue illustrations, and have illustrated a lot of collegiate and Triangle landmarks, which I sell as prints and stickers. I’ve also created some illustrated maps for weddings and businesses like the Downtown Chapel Hill Partnership and M. Dumas & Sons in Charleston, SC.
I’m most proud of the work I’ve gotten to do for local North Carolina businesses like Piedmont Pennies, NuBlue Service Group, Two Roosters and others. Those projects have all come about in a variety of ways but it truly never gets old seeing my work in print!
Most recently I designed all of the paper goods for my March 2026 wedding, which was so fun, and since then I’ve been focused on building a portfolio of illustrated patterns that I hope to license.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
Anyone interested in working or collaborating with me can email me through my website’s inquiry form! You can also shop prints, stickers and keychains of my art in-person at Casa Bella Market in Durham or online on Etsy.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lucy-manning.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lucyman.draws/
