Manda is a self-taught artist, crediting her talent to her paternal grandmother. She makes art to pay homage to her grandmother, Jeanette Rockett.

After concentrating on raising her two daughters, Manda now focuses on her art. In 2005 she studied painting at the Worcester Museum of Art under Bill Griffith. She now participates in the Gateway Arts program in Brookline Village.

Her art is an intense focus on the positive, beautiful and joyful fantasies of water, color and nature.