
THIS IS MORE THAN DRAWING
Growing up surrounded by artworks created by family members from the last four generations,
and with Royal Academicians on either side of his family, Ralph Mann knew that art was in his blood!
Indeed he would rarely be seen without a pencil in his hand and found creativity to be how he could express himself.
Art prizes, an art scholarship, and art degrees followed. After Art school Ralph explored the meanings and application of art in a period of teaching Art and Art History before choosing to return to his core creative practice, founding Purple Heron in 2011.
Purple Heron specialises in Visual Communication. However, this is more than just drawing.
Ralph is a problem solver, creative thinker, and storyteller whose artwork is informed by deep listening and emotional intelligence twinned with facilitation skills.
A creative extrovert, Ralph is a strong relationship builder able to communicate very clearly with a variety of stakeholders and facilitate conversation and deep-level discussions. He possesses a growth mindset and is eager to listen, learn, incorporate new ideas, and adapt to changing environments and client needs.
With a bias toward excellence, he delivers high-quality work with a fierce commitment to his client's success.
As a creative and social entrepreneur, Ralph is also committed to giving back.
He also founded and set up the charity Prodigal Arts bringing transformation through art;
mentoring offenders and ex-offenders to find not only a new creativity but a new life.

illustration by Ralph's Grandfather, 1929.
(photo www.stillvision.co.uk)
WHY PURPLE HERON
The purple heron is a rare breed noted for its colourful plumage:
Ralph's skills-set is a rare combination and his work is characterised by its application of colour.
The purple heron waits, poised and motionless for just the right big juicy fish to spear:
Ralph is present inconspicuously in your meeting, watching and listening for your key points and quickly capturing them.
Since Roman times the colour purple has been synonymous with great value, importance and exclusivity. It also attracts attention.
Ralph brings this set of qualities to his work, bringing added value, and attention to the communication of your message.
The purple heron in flight is immediately distinguishable for flying relatively low and noticeably slowly over the landscape:
Ralph brings a similar approach, seeing the big picture in your organisation and carefully representing the different aspects in striking visual formats.

