A friend just left. What a super time we had painting in the studio, dinners out, a show opening, meeting new friends and talk, talk, talk! Plus she took this photo and a ton more I will be using later on my website. Thank you Eva S. Harris! Next time I get a stylist to work on my hair..... What a treat to have a trusting friend to look at my work. Honestly. Little doses of wisdom and encouragement. Priceless. They can be far away, skype away, and email away. A small net of life friends. No matter what goes... Continue reading

I PROcrastinated for months over this call. A simple call to find out how to get my art reviewed to show in a local restaurant. This is not high stakes. Strike that. It is high stakes because I had to knock down one obstacle after another to pick up the phone, punch the number in, hear the dial tone and wonder who will pick up. It helps to have friends who keep me accountable. They have made the calls and they are still functioning people. "I will give her the information." Easy, peasy I say. How my mind makes the... Continue reading

"The most beautiful paintings do not originate in the mind. They are an expression of the inner essence, of the soul. I like to apply paint in what I can only describe as a random fashion, always keeping a sense of balance on the canvas, and mixing colors in a nice way. Mostly, I like to cooperate with the paint and see what appears. I do not usually have a theme in mind when I start to paint. I always like the finished product, and I have learned not to judge the painting in process. To me, painting is also... Continue reading

I finished this today! My second waxed paper installation at Casa de Cultura in Berkeley. I love working with Conceicao on these pieces. She is the talent behind the altar and I create the environment of beautifully scented handprinted paper. (adding machine roll.....) "I feel so good under here," one person remarked. That was good enough for me. Happy New Year All. I have made a delicious opening in space for the riches of 2013. ~Francesca Continue reading

"Art is not the possession of the few who are recognized writers, painters, musicians; it is the authentic expression of any and all individuality." -John Dewey Continue reading

It comes, out of the blue. Winter. Weight. Clouded mind. Fatigue. Good stuff happening to lift the heart of the archer. A list to lift: * Three paintings in New York! My package of 3 encaustics made it through Hurricane Sandy to arrive at the Jeffrey Leder Gallery for his juried show Balance. You can see photos from the exhibit here. Beautiful selection of work. * I am now an artist on UGallery.com! Can't make it to my studio? Nao tem problema! You and your friends can buy my work online! Search on over and leave me a note. Or... Continue reading

On a whim I checked into the art scene in Healdsburg, California. What a surprise! This town has grown into a chic dining, shopping, art lovin' community. The true Northern California spirit has not disappeared and I was happy to see the old Plaza with small friendly stores, a range of restaurants, galleries and people strolling about without rush. Yum. So I am very pleased to have had Dig This (Encaustic, 12" x 12") juried into the show All Things Orange at the Healdsburg Center for the Arts. This center is half a block down from the main square and... Continue reading

A quick check on email this morning and I found this posting from the NYARTSMAGAZINE. It gave me a better jolt than my green juices! Short and to the point; this is how it went: Be out. Be outside. Be outside of it. Be outside of the box. Be outside of the system. Be out of order. Be out of control. Be out of the ordinary. Be out of your hair. Be out of your mind. Be outrageous. Be outspoken. Be out loud. I am OUT there in appreciation. Thanks outists. B-Out Andrew Edlin Gallery 134 Tenth Avenue, Chelsea July... Continue reading

This got me to sit up straight and start thinking....! Flying to Sao Paulo? Beginning in December 2012, be among the first to experience our brand new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Equipped with fully lie flat First and Business Class seats, a variety of inflight entertainment options, and international Wi-Fi capability, you'll have a comfortable and enjoyable trip to Brazil. Continue reading

I ventured into the world of online shows and was thrilled to learn I received a special recognition award for my entry in their Juried Abstract Show. Backlight #3 was chosen out of 900 paintings to receive a Special Recognition Award. They gave me a little htlm badge to put on my site to celebrate! Backlight #3 Continue reading

The Rio Series is inspired by the graffiti I recently saw in Rio de Janeiro. Many of the hilly streets are “tagged” with the most beautiful compositions. Bold and organic shapes are often painted in luscious pinks, teals and greens. One in particular stands out. The artist had painted various sized rectangles in pinks, blues and yellows. On top of these delicate colors were painted thick black lines running from top to bottom, side to side, bottom to side and top to side. There was so much line work that the beauty underneath became hidden. Escondido. A beleza. Why did... Continue reading

East Bay Open Studios Saturday & Sunday June 2-3 and 9-10 11am-5pm 990 Wildcat Canyon Road Berkeley, CA 94708 Hello Friends: Once again it is time for Pro Arts East Bay Open Studios and I am inviting you to come to my studio: Studio Wildcat! This event is an annual self guided tour of over 400 local artist studios. I am happy to report that I will be showcasing a new encaustic series with you called Backlight. This series combines bright and bold encaustic with pastel to create a subtle, dimensional play of color and light. I would love for... Continue reading

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What brought on these cones? What was I imagining? What did I hope the viewer would feel? My O Mar Sagrado statement: I invite you to walk through my water, O Mar Sagrado, that has made a path for you. Feel the tug of the current on your legs as you look up, down and through the depths to catch a glimpse of Yemanja. Siren of the Sea. She is out there waiting for you. Go. Find her. Say your prayer. She will listen. Inspiration for the Art Installation O Mar Sagrado was inspired by my many trips to Salvador... Continue reading

My first encaustic installation is up at Casa de Cultura in Berkeley, CA. More thoughts later this week. I am in post performance mode so I need to move my body. A lot. Continue reading

My work on the installation continues. These are the individually made cones that will become the bottom of the ocean. Each cone was cut from a 20' roll of hosho paper and then glued into its shape. I want people to feel the pull of the ocean as they walk through the installation on their way to the Yemanja altar. Continue reading

So much has happened over the last few weeks. New York trip to see my painting and hear some jazz. The following weekend down to LA for a 2-dayer with the amazing Heidi Rose Robbins. A few words from her site: I also know most of us doubt our gifts. Or we unconsciously act in a way that derails our dreams. That was enough for me to book it South. Highly recommend. Now I am home and routine has started. First day in the studio I froze. A chew toy, the shape of his body on the cushions underneath the... Continue reading

I am going to New York! Blue & Violet was juried into the show International Painting NYC. One little 8" x 8" painting made its way across the United Stated to land in New York. As I write it is hanging on the wall in the Jeffrey Leder Gallery. A piece of me has flown coast to coast. I love flying! Continue reading

Come find me at the Festival! I will be selling my encaustic paintings, prints and artcards. First time with a booth! Yikes.....Do I have my one minute delivery? Continue reading

A great new gallery has opend up on Piedmont Avenue in Oakland, the CK Gallery. Little did I know that a cozy, wooded courtyard was tucked away behind bustling Piedmont Avenue. The gallery is up the wooden stairs next to a French style restaurant. I am showing four of my small abstract encaustic (wax) paintings in their Grand Opening Exhibition: Mixed Media Miniature. I am so excited! On the left is DIG THIS a 12" x 12" encaustic with paper on panel. Hope to see you at the show! Opening: Saturday, October 29th, 5-7:30pm Location: 4125 Piedmont Ave, Oakland, CA... Continue reading

Rio Graffiti Abstract Series I am working on a new series based on the A-mazing wall art I saw in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil last August. The cariocas use of color, line and perspective surpass any course I ever took in "art school!?!?" Once again points out that everything I need to learn is already at my side. Wake UP! Yum. I will be posting some of my new work over the next few months and am putting together a solo show for 2012! Continue reading

In addition to the retreat the IEA held an international juried masters Gallery Show- Encaustic Masters: Inspirational Voices. My paintings Too Many Dreams (right) and June Moon (below) were selected for the juried show and are currently being exhibited at the Columbia River Gallery . Continue reading

In my first solid year of encaustic painting I have made many blunders and have hit upon numerous "AHA" moments. Oddly, these learnings operate together and not too distantly. I often have to get into the creative panic mode where I start the doubting and numbing self criticism. Continue reading