Featured Illustrator

Francie's work is imaginative, charming, and delightfully rendered: learn about her art practice below, and even more, by clicking the link to visit her website.

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How did you get started in illustration?

I’ve always been a creative! I can’t stop my hands from making things: drawing, pottery, fiber art, stained glass, cardboard sculptures….anything! But books that contain stories and whimsical illustrations that make me laugh and feel nostalgia all at the same time are absolute M A G I C and is what I try to achieve in my artwork too.

What is your background?

My family has a lot to do with my wild creativity. The story of my parents meeting is so precious. Back in 1970, my dad was hired to play ragtime piano at a summer dinner theater in Durango, Colorado. When he walked into the theater, the first thing he saw was my mom up on the stage dancing. They were married 5 months later and are still together today. There is a lot of creative expression in my family, but I am the first illustrator! I am married to a chemistry nerd and we have 3 wild and wonderful kids each who have their own unique creative styles.

What have you learned along the way?

I have a hard time making art just for myself and making a living out of just that. It has to involve people. So I teach a lot of art. I teach kids and adults. I host summer art camps in my home and have a mix of kids and adults often in the same class. I teach art therapy for people in recovery and people affected by cancer. I volunteer in my kids’ schools and inspire the next generation of creatives. Anytime I have the opportunity to serve people through art, that is what brings me the most joy which spills out into my personal artwork.

Preferred medium?

I do a lot of artwork on my iPad. I love hashing out all my rough sketches and bad lines in one place. But it’s also wonderfully important to make with real tools: colored pencils and Neocolor II water soluble crayons on textured watercolor paper……oooooh the colors and textures are so rich and creamy and satisfying!!! What illustrators inspire you? Brad Montague - he is like a modern day Mr. Rogers - this guy has a major legacy & I support him full throttle. Bill Peet - I’ve admired and collected his works my whole life. Disney animator, author and illustrator. Elly McKay - makes the most beautiful diorama artwork and photographs it. I have her artwork all over my home. Briony May Smith - I can’t get enough of her illustrations and her stories MATCH her brilliance. Rebecca Green - her art and process videos are unmatched. A genius. 

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