For painter Grayson Manning, art is both a mirror of grief and a lantern of resilience. His work draws on fantasy, folklore and timeless questions of life and death, weaving spirits, wings and natural symbolism into vibrant imagery that feels both otherworldly and deeply rooted in the human experience.
Grayson has called Asheville home for six years, and for the past two he has been part of the River Arts District community. “I’m incredibly lucky to have found my art and myself in a region and district that truly cultivates community and creativity,” he reflects. Surrounded by artists who are passionate about telling their stories, he has developed a voice that balances mythic inspiration with raw emotion.
That voice found powerful expression in "The Night the Mountains Went Dark," his contribution to the "Mountain Memories" exhibition. Painted with acrylic and pastel on canvas, the large work depicts a blue bear with halo and wings holding a golden trout, rendered with matte and metallic paints that shimmer between light and shadow. The piece was his first major painting in six years and the first completed after Hurricane Helene. For Grayson, it was a cathartic release, born of a night spent trapped in his parents’ Black Mountain cabin as trees fell and floodwaters surged. The silence that followed, with no birds or insects and no glow from valley towns, left an indelible mark.
“As someone whose work touches on life and death, the severity of this tragedy was never lost on me,” he says. “It cemented in me the idea that while life can be truly beautiful, it can be equally cruel and fragile.”
Manning grew up in Florida, and was no stranger to hurricanes, but Helene was different in its intensity and isolation. Now living in Asheville, he also witnessed the destruction and rebuilding of the Biltmore Estate where he works as a historic interpreter. Both experiences deepened his understanding of fragility and endurance. Although he has no formal artistic training, he draws inspiration from classical artists like Albrecht Dürer and Peter Paul Rubens, as well as modern figures such as Timothy Von Rueden. His art continues to channel resilience and reflection, reminding viewers of the delicate balance between beauty and loss.
You can view Manning's piece "The Night the Mountains Went Dark" in the exhibit "Mountain Memories" at Asheville Regional Airport, on display through October 30, 2025. The exhibit is displayed in the Asheville Regional Airport Art Gallery located in the new North Concourse, post security – please note only ticketed passengers can view this area.
