Francesca also known as Chessy for short, has been flourished in the world of art since she was just a child. Growing up her mother would find her in her room late at night drawing made up characters with a simple pen and paper. She gave each drawing their own personality and identity, almost as if she was playing with dolls. Drawing was a way to express her playfulness and imagination. Luckily her mother recognized this passion in her at such a young age, and continued to encourage her creative freedom throughout her young life.
Francesca went on to High school and got into AP art only as a freshman. There she worked hard on her college portfolio to achieve her one goal to go to Art School. During her four years Francesca faced many tragedies and losses of dear friends to suicide. This is when she discovered her talents in art weren’t only a freedom of creative expression but could be used as a therapeutic practice. Her work began to mature as she captured the human experience of grief and acceptance. Her final show and portfolio put viewers to tears. She then found her niche. To create art that combined symbolism and storytelling. A way to connect audiences to a personal experience or memory.
Francesca went on to Art School and received her BFA at VCU Arts, Virginia Common Wealth University. There she was challenged by her professors as well as her colleagues. Francesca also went abroad and lived in Florence Italy. There she studied the human figure, as well as, fashion illustration, and Italian. Her experience led her to travel to many other countries in Europe, filling herself with inspiration and awe.
Today, Francesca continues to explore a multitude of series as she experiences the world and interprets it through her own eyes. She still uses painting therapeutically, and conveys stories through her canvases. Her surrealistic figure based paintings continue to connect her viewers on an emotional level.
Her second series “1920s-1950s” is inspired by her grandmother and focuses on the feminine experience. Francesca expresses the same playfulness and joy her drawings resembled as a child. With the use of fashion illustration and bold words, this series illustrates female empowerment, independence, and class throughout history.
Lastly, Francesca hopes to continue to travel around the world to different cultures and environments. She hopes to connect people through her art and embrace our similarities as human beings on this planet, rather than our differences.
She currently is working in Clifton Virginia as a full time artist.