Joan A. Manning, Artist

Honoring Joan A. Manning, Artist

Joan A. Manning, 89, passed away peacefully in her home in Palm Desert, CA. on July 17, 2023 with her son Morgan Manning by her side. 

Joan was born in Hollywood, CA on June 11, 1934 to Dora and Clifford Manning.

Joan was mother to Doug Harvey, Darcy Heard, Lance Heard and Morgan Manning. She raised her children with great love and devotion in El Centro, Del Mar, Encinitas, and Palm Desert, CA. She loved to experience different cities and spent time with artist communities in Sedona AZ and Idyllwild, CA.

As an artist, Joan was known for her unique style of painting. She was influenced by her time at USC-Idyllwild studying with Francoise Gilot and Jonas Salk, and they became close friends. She started painting later in life, and found great success. She won Best in Show awards at the Art Expo in San Diego and El Centro. She served as the California Fine Arts Director for the Art Expo in Imperial Valley, where she ran and judged a juried show. Her art was featured in a show at the La Jolla Penthouse in San Diego. 

Joan was honored to be named as one of the artists featured in “20th Century Masters of Erotic Art” by Bradley Smith. In later years, she explored the healing properties of color to psychologically and physically change people, and expanded her studies connecting people to their spiritual experience through art.

She is survived by her sons Morgan Manning, who cared for her during her 14-year survival with Lewy Body Dementia / Parkinson’s, and Lance Heard; grandchildren Jacklyn Long; Lance, Joan, Ruth, Kathe and Doug Harvey; and many great-grandchildren.

Aside from the children she doted on, Joan is survived by her sister Joyce Manning Wilcox, brother Thomas Manning, nieces Kelly Wilcox Ames and Kim Manning, nephews Mike Wilcox and Steve Manning, and many great nieces and nephews. 

Joan was well-loved by friends and family all over the world and will be missed by all.

A Memorial will be held at San Gorgonio Memorial Park, in Banning, CA. on Saturday, October 7, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. PT. For questions and details, please RSVP to Morgan Manning at morganheard@gmail.com or call 760-604-0011.

In lieu of flowers, donations to The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research can be made in memory of Joan Manning at https://give.michaeljfox.org.