Artist Interviews 2025

Somer Manner  
By Laura Siebold



Somer Manner’s art is easily distinguishable by the combination of wildlife drawings and the earnest looks her animals show. Often, fantastical elements mix with the contours of wild animals. Somer places many of her paintings on imperfect wood panels, a choice that underlines the natural aspect of her work. In her interview, Somer talks about her technique, the intention behind her work and her fascination with bisons.



You are a Los Angeles based artist and specialize in line drawings and paintings. Can you please explain this technique?


I was originally based in the Greater Los Angeles Area, Long Beach and Torrance, but I have recently moved back to Ventura County, where I grew up. I specialize in line drawings of animals and creatures that I find interesting. I use the cross-hatching technique, which always seems a little taboo when discussing line techniques in a drawing. I use that method whether in traditional quill pen and ink on paper or with a liner brush when painting with ink. There is a delicate balance when using cross hatching as a form of contour and shading in a piece. Too much and it can become muddled, too little it becomes flat with little to no dimension. I try to use as much negative space in my art to emphasize the deeper darks.



When did you first start drawing/painting and did you receive a formal art education?


I was drawing and coloring as soon as I could hold a crayon in my chubby baby hands. There are photos of me during family gatherings, sitting contently by myself with paper and crayons. By the time I was 8 years old, I was participating in after school art classes. While in high school, I took advantage of all the art classes my school would offer. By the time I graduated, I knew I wanted to be an artist. I went to Moorpark College to build up my portfolio as well as take classes required for college. I transferred to California State University, Long Beach where I received my formal art education. While there, I fell in love with pen and ink, and I was able to focus on my specialty. I graduated in 2007 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts, Drawing and Painting.



Can you tell us about the intention behind your work?


The intention of my work started as a conversation about the erosion of life and how the world around us was becoming less stable, but it changed into finding the soul of the creatures in our lives. In my larger pieces I try to incorporate the original concept along with the new path that I am taking with my art. Sometimes I will use folklore to guide me in the direction of my art. The reason I use ink as a medium is because of the permanence of it. Mistakes happen and they can not be erased. They can only become a part of you and we must learn to embrace the imperfection of life.



Where do you source the wood for your work from? Have you ever used different materials than wood as a base for your work?


The wood that I source for my work is either found wood, broken skateboards, or I will purchase new wood from my local hardware store. I look at the wood to find character or imperfections in the piece. Sometimes I will fill small cracks with copper leaf to emphasize the flaws.



Do you live in an artist community? Has growing up in California shaped you as an artist?


I don’t live in an artist community, I am sort of an introvert that likes my own little bubble. Growing up in California has given me an appreciation for nature. I grew up in Somis, a small town based in agriculture located in Ventura County. I was a barefoot kid, toes in the mud and grass, who also helped raise chickens, quails, pheasants, rabbits, and dogs. Moving to Long Beach for college was a culture shock, I was frightened when a pigeon flew close to me on a balcony. I soon got over that and learned to love city life. Being able to live in both rural and industrial has influenced me and my art in a positive way.



What is the most influential piece you’ve ever worked on? Why is this piece meaningful to you? Elaborate.


I don’t know if I have a most influential piece, but I do have one piece that resonates the most with me. It is a bison on wood panel. I can see the soul in it, as cliché as that sounds. There is a sadness in their eyes, and they are such beautiful animals. I have only seen a bison in person once in my life. It was during a high school trip to Catalina Island as part of an Oceanography class I was taking. I was able to witness a bison wander through our camp, and I was not scared but was in awe of the creature. It was as if I was the only one that was supposed to see it. It was a time that I will never forget.



What are some challenges that you had to face throughout your career? How did you overcome them?


The only challenges that I seem to face in my career is my own self-doubt. I always question everything. For me to overcome this is to continue to create, whether I think it is good, or if it will be tucked away in a closet never to see the light of day again. I never throw away a piece I have made. I do look back on them to see the progress that I have made or to find new inspiration from old pieces. To create is to move forward, find new paths to the destination.



What is your advice for novice artists that are trying to find their own style?


Finding your own style is in a way of finding out who you are as a artist. When I first started to create my portfolio, I thought that I had to be edgy and dark, that is what schools were looking for, but as I continued to learn and grow as a person, I realized that I wasn’t making art for other people, I was making art for myself and if people like it, then that was the bonus. I always say I stumbled upon my personal art style because I was experimenting with different techniques, but it was the technique that gave me the most satisfaction when creating. So, my advice to novice artists is just create. If an idea pops into your head, write it down or do a sketch. Try different mediums, surfaces, textures. All the experimentation will evolve into what you are supposed to do.



If you could only create one more piece of art in your life, what would you choose?


The one piece I would love to create would be a tribute to my grandparents. They have had a great impact on my life. And after learning about what they have been through, Japanese Americans during WWII, I have only grown to respect them more. I have a rough idea on what I would do for that piece, but I haven’t worked it out yet completely, so I have put it off. But if that was the last piece that I could create, then it would be my honor to do so.