Artist Brett Manning derives inspiration from nature, taking in the fields and woods around her home.
“For as long as I can even remember, I have been creating art,” she shares with Celtic Life International. “It’s just what I do.”
Her latest project, PluSidhe, is a collection of plush toys with designs based on folklore. While Manning has wanted to create plushies for a long time, it was only recently that she was able to sit down and plan the venture. While her plush creations are creatures of fantasy, the reason behind them is founded on a very real, personal story.
“When I was younger, my parents divorced. I remember having to move to a new house and pack up all of my toys. I never saw those toys again. They were all either lost or destroyed. I have almost no pieces of my childhood, and I think that has actually been a catalyst to help me move forward with this project. I see the importance and comfort and creativity that toys provide, and I wanted to give that feeling to other people.”
The specifics of the PluSidhe designs came about due to Manning’s love for fairy lore. “Sidhe” is an old Irish language word for the “fairy folk” – inhabitants of the Otherworld. The Bean Sidhe (in English, “fairy woman”) is one such being, often referred to today as the banshee. Popular depictions of fairies are often rather one-note, from Disney’s Tinkerbell to the stereotypical fairy godmother.
“I was actually quite tired of seeing tiny, winged fairy ladies predominantly in the world of fae toys and ephemera,” she explains. “There is nothing wrong with them, of course, but I personally never identified too much with that kind of fairy. I wanted to explore the world of elves and goblins and imps and just all those silly little guys who live in the woods or in your closet.”
Take Richard Cat-Sith, for example. That design is based on both a past feline companion of Manning’s (also named Richard) and the legend of the Cat-Sìth. Found in both Scottish and Irish mythology, the Cat-Sìth was said to be a creature resembling a large, bipedal cat. This creature (perhaps a fairy, perhaps a witch in disguise) lurked the Scottish Highlands in search of souls. Fortunately, Richard is friendlier than the Cat-Sìth of lore.
Another of Manning’s PluSidhe designs is inspired by her rural Indiana home. Zed the Indiana Beast is a peaceful forest guardian with the head of a deer, wearing a velvety robe adorned with autumn colours.
“A lot of images will come to me while I’m in that liminal state of not being asleep, but not really awake either. I try to take notes upon waking the next day, or I will break out of that state as it is happening and scribble something down as reference for later.
“Sometimes though, they seem to sketch themselves when I’m doodling, or they’ll burst into my brain like a loud silly cat who has burst through a door, saloon-style!”
Manning tries to keep sketching supplies handy for when such spontaneous ideas strike. Once the initial sketch is complete, she tidies it up and scans it to add colour digitally. She then creates a list of specifics for the manufacturer, such as size and fabric type. “They will create a sample, and I will offer my input as to what needs tweaking.”
Once the design has been finalized, the manufacturer sends Manning the finished piece so she can take “glamour shots” and list the plushie for pre-order. When she receives the pre-ordered batches, she attaches her own tags and ships them out to customers.
It’s a tough job – one that requires a balance of productivity and rest.
“Being a working artist comes with its hurdles. I am solely responsible for me, which is both freeing and horrific. I have a handful of health challenges that can derail me: scoliosis, ADHD, chronic pain – so learning to work with that and not push myself too hard in times of struggle is important.”
That said, Manning remains excited about the PluSidhe project and hopes to continue for as long as possible. “I pretty much just hope to continue designing them for as long as I am inspired to do so. I will always be creating art; that is something I could not stop if I wanted to – it’s just who I am – and I will be toiling away in my studio, forevermore.”
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