On April 8, 2024, a good portion of the US bore witness to a solar eclipse. Some, like us here in Georgia, were afforded a partial eclipse. Though I mourned the lost opportunity to travel for totality, due to unforeseen circumstances, I was inspired to pull out my oil paints and see if I could create an image that blossomed in my mind.

If you know me well, you know that David Bowie is and will always be a huge influence in my life. My first thought was the piece had to be based on a mythical Major Tom. An astronaut, lost in space,  gazing wistfully at the solar eclipse from the surface of the Moon. It excited me to imagine...what WOULD the eclipse look like from the Moon, once the Earth crossed the path of the Sun? 

Would the corona be highlighted by a sunset/sunrise that circled the Earth?

I grabbed some paints and prepared a palette. I had to know.

After covering a 24x24 canvas with black paint, I sketched out the astronaut and put a moonscape behind him. On a canvas this big, the process took a lot longer than I hoped it would be due to my using a small 1/2" flat brush (see photo above).

​I made a mental note to buy some larger brushes for my next big piece.

After sketching the painting, I stepped back and found myself in a quandary. What on Earth (or the Moon, ha) would I title this?

With a tired arm, I quickly mapped in an eclipse in the upper right corner and called it a day. I put the painting to the side and went back to my other works in progress.

A week or so later, I revisited the piece. It needed a sense of whimsy, a touch of magic, and a bit more color. After a couple of hours, Tom's spacesuit glowed a cool violet gray. The Earth was given a pink edge. And, surprising of all, three UFOs appeared over the horizon. 

Just then I was given a title for the piece. Major Tom is Going Home. The aliens had arrived to whisk him back to Earth. 

While this isn't a finished piece, it is complete enough for me to let it sit and marinate until I am inspired to come back to it. What I will do next is anyone's guess. Maybe this is it? We shall see.

If you are an artist, do you find that you need to let your pieces chill a bit in between painting or drawing sessions? I'd love to hear your thoughts below!

On the afternoon of Wednesday, March 20, 2024, I met Gary Dennis, the Executive Director of the Jessye Norman School of the Arts (JNSA), in front of Washington Hall on the Summerville Campus of Augusta University. The JNSA had recently placed my painted piano, and it was time to affix a plaque and snap some photos! However, the piano was covered in a sticky yellow-green pollen residue. We tried our best to clear most of it off and make it photo-ready.

​But I'm getting ahead of myself. There is a story to tell!

​In early 2023, I answered a call for artists. The Jessye Norman School of the Arts was looking for three artists to paint one of three donated pianos that would be placed in special locations across the city. This Painted Piano Project was long on my list of dream projects I'd hoped one day would fall into my lap. On a whim I tossed my hat in the ring and hoped for the best, not believing I had a chance. But still, I figured, what the heck, let’s see what happens. I fully believed I would be rejected. I mean, when art rock stars such as Staci Swider, Leonard "Porkchop" Zimmerman, Rhian Swain, and Jason Craig had painted pianos for the JNSA, I thought for sure that I wasn't worthy enough to be included in that list of luminaries.

Then, just a few months later, I received the most surprising email of my art career. I had been selected! I made the cut! It took me a minute to compose myself. I read the email over and over until it sunk in that the email was NOT a rejection. It was an acceptance. And this quickly became THE BIGGEST thing to happen to me since I began making, showing and selling art in late 2018. I was going to make my very first piece of public art.

​After picking myself up off the floor, I scrambled for an idea.

Nothing came to me.

I thought about a space scene of some sort. However, it wasn’t until I met with the school’s executive director that the thought of doing a riff on Van Gogh’s "Starry Night" popped into my head. Gary asked about my idea. I looked at the ceiling and saw Van Gogh himself staring at me, whispering “Starry Night.”

​So I blurted that out, surprising myself.

True story.

The director loved the idea and was excited about the prospect, so he took me to the Music Room to see the piano I would be painting. It was donated by the former executive director of Westobou, Kristi Jilson Sykes. The instrument had some serious local provenance. Gary cut me a check for half the stipend so I could buy the paint and supplies I would need. 

Dean and I rushed to Lowe's for swatches. I found the perfect hue, "Encore," a rich blue that screamed Van Gogh. I knew at this moment the piano project would be a success.

I was able to make it happen! 

Instead of realism, I went for artistic expression and absolutely fell in love with my Vincent.  I believe he'd probably be pretty happy with it, too.

Now, back to the afternoon of March 20.

Gary showed me the plaque that would be affixed to the piano. I asked if I could take a picture of it, hence the photo above. The tears obeyed me. They stayed put. But inside, I was crying happy tears. This piano, parked outside the doors of Washington Hall on the AU campus, will offer students and staff something fun and colorful to enjoy any time they want to bang out a tune.

I can't say thank you enough, and there are no words adequate to express my gratitude, but I do want to offer the hugest thanks to Gary Dennis, the JNSA, AU, and the Porter Fleming Foundation. You guys made one of this old gal's biggest dreams come true, and I can never thank you enough.

If you're curious about how the piano came together, click HERE to watch the timelapse I put together during the process of painting this thing.

​Now,  GOGH PLAY MUSIC!

Weeks ago, a secret dream came true for me. It was something I had longed hoped to do, and I finally got the chance.

Bill Irwin of Augusta rock band Impulse Ride approached me with a request. He had written a song for his band called "Santa on the Savannah." It was included in the 2023 "12 Bands of Christmas" compilation album, and he asked me if I'd be willing to make a piece of art based on the song. It would be a donation to help support Children's Hospital of Georgia.

For years I dreamed of a rock band contacting me to make a piece of art. The dream kinda hung around in the ether, and I believed that one day I'd be get to do just that.

Of course I jumped at the chance to make my dream come true. 

Now, bear in mind that I am a portrait artist and have never painted anything like the piece I was asked to make. But when I heard the song and listened to the lyrics, the image arranged itself in my brain. I decided to give it a shot, and the resulting image was a cute children's-type art piece that I am actually proud of.

The painting is on display at Joanie Lamb Hair Salon at 1528 Monte Sano Avenue. A bid sheet is available and starting bid is at a low $50. All proceeds benefit Children's Hospital of Georgia. The painting measures 16x20 and is wired for hanging. To place a bid, see Joanie at her salon or call 706-737-4247.

Ruskin Yeargain of Impulse Ride appeared on December 14's The Morning Mix to promote Santa on the Savannah. Click the link to see the segment.

May you have a wonderful, safe, and joyous holiday season!

​My goodness how fast time flies. 

In late August, I was a guest on WRDW's Morning Mix program to discuss my solo show. A few days after the reception was held, I was interviewed by WJBF's Karlton Clay for a short news segment that aired that week. These were the second and third times I have been on local television this year, and I am still so grateful for the opportunities!

On Saturday, September 2, 2023, the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History hosted a reception for Souls of the Midnight Dreamers, my 3rd-ever solo art show, this one sponsored by RedWolf Advertising. It was a night I will never forget.

Upon arrival at the Conference Center on the Museum campus, I walked the perimeter of the room. 
As I walked, I took in all of my 36 paintings and drawings we had hung just a couple days before the reception was to take place. Each piece of artwork had a little caption under it sharing little-known facts about the people I portrayed in my art. (Folks who attended later expressed how they enjoyed reading the factoids and how they learned a lot of things they'd never before known.)

A podium stood at the front of a room filled with chairs for attendees to sit upon while noshing on refreshments. That podium would be the place where I would face my strongest fear. 

Let me take you back to that night, for those who were unable to attend, and give you a taste of the magic that was had. At the end of this blog, you will find photos from the evening. Unfortunately, I cannot remember who took what photo, but most of them were taken by Rhian Swain, owner of RedWolf Advertising. I just absolutely adore her.

It was thrilling not only to see so many of my friends but to see so many folks in the community, people I have never met, come out to see my artwork. I introduced myself to each and every person who walked in that door. The love I felt from everyone was intoxicating. It was especially exciting to see Pat Knox-Hudson arrive. To have her present meant the ultimate success and I felt great joy finally getting the chance to meet her.

Our caterer, Nancy Chance Blanchard of Nancy's Fancy Feast, provided a delicious spread of treats, none of which I had the opportunity to sample. Everyone raved over the food and at the end of the night the only thing that remained were cookies. Success! I maybe grabbed a bottle of water before my artist talk. Maybe? I can't remember much prior to that moment.

Music for the reception was provided by BillKarpJazz. Bill and his wife Nancy are two of the most amazing human beings I've ever known. Bill's jazz selections set the tone for the entire evening and the crowd loved his setlist and his bubbly personality. I was thrilled to learn that he was approached for gig bookings during my reception. He truly deserves all the success in the world.

When it was time for me to speak, Corey Rogers, the Executive Director of the Laney Museum, introduced me to the crowd that had gathered. Most of the chairs were taken but it was standing room only once I was given the mic. 

I was so scared. So nervous. Public speaking has always been a fear of mine. Any kind of public performance terrifies me. This is mostly why I have never learned to dance, play any kind of competitive sport, do anything physical in front of anyone. That said, I knew I had to give a talk, so I wrote a speech and saved it in a note on my phone a few weeks before the reception was to take place.

Once I stood up in front of the room, I laid the phone down on the podium, squeezed the mic, then addressed the crowd. Within the first two or three sentences spoken, I felt myself soaring with the attendees.

We had become one in spirit.

I spoke a little about my history, my origins, and my journey as an artist. Surprisingly, I found myself looking directly at various people as I spoke, engaging the audience and bringing everyone along on the tale I'd spun about Midnight Dreamers. I highlighted several of the paintings that lined the walls, focusing on the humanity behind the celebrity of each Dreamer I discussed.

My original speech clocked in at just under 5 minutes. The speech I gave, free-flowing and free of fear, lasted nearly 10. When I was finished, the crowd gave me a standing ovation. One of the attendees told me that I was an excellent public speaker and that I should think about doing talks more often.

I know my jaw must have hit the floor.

The rest of the evening went very well. I made two sales and met a lot of great folks. For a little "party favor," I had business cards made by Moo.com. They each had one of five different prints of Dreamer paintings on the back. Those business cards were gobbled up by collectors. My stickers, featuring a self portrait in watercolor I call "Star Girl," flew, too. 

Before my husband Dean and I departed, Corey asked me if I would like to paint the Museum's new Little Library. I jumped at the chance. He also stated he wanted me to do another show in 2024, this time with Rhian Swain who, as mentioned earlier, owns RedWolf Advertising.

I was speechless. It was the most amazing time ever, and I left that night exhausted, exhilarated, and emotional.

Before the end of September, the show was extended for another month. If you haven't had time yet to visit the exhibition, you have till the end of October to see the show.

Since that night, I have submitted a painting for the 7th Annual October Spooktacular event at Le Chat Noir. That reception happens on Friday, October 20 from 6-8pm. Just yesterday I found out that my piece, a portrait of Herman Munster, sold already! I have a piece in the upcoming Oysters on Telfair event at Gertrude Herbert Institute of Art. That event happens on November 2. Also, three of my paintings will be available to purchase at the upcoming Winter Art Show at City Gallery. I will share more on that when I have the info.

I have no idea what the future holds, but there are several group events coming up in 2024, plus the show with Rhian and another show with my friend Rachel Shea Beck of Pelted Head Studio. Rachel and I are doing a collaboration on a brilliant idea that she came up with and I'm so excited. Voices of Augusta will happen again next summer at Augusta & Co. Heather Rene Dunaway has asked me to cocurate that one, and I already have some pieces in mind to make for the show. So much to look forward to, and I hope that you will come out to one or all of the events that are coming up.

If you have made it this far, thank you for being here, for reading, and for being a subscriber to the newsletter and/or a reader of this blog. I hope you have an amazing autumn and that life is treating you well. 

Please enjoy the event photos that follow. I'll be working on commissions and trying new art ideas going forward for the rest of 2023. Until next time, much love and peace from my heart to yours.

​Francie

I will never not be grateful for all the wonderful opportunities that present themselves to me. This morning I was a guest on The Morning Mix, a local morning news program on WRDW here in Augusta. The hosts Cliff Bennett and Zayna Haliburton were gracious as always and made me feel quite at home. This was the second time this year that I've appeared on the show. Today, I talked a little about my participation as social media marketer for the upcoming Arts in the Heart of Augusta Festival. I was also given the opportunity to share a bit about Souls of the Midnight Dreamers, my solo art exhibit that is soon to hit the Lucy Craft Laney Museum of Black History. SO many wonderful things happening this September! Didn't get a chance to bring it up, but there is another art show I'm a part of that takes place on September 1. It's the Book on a Box exhibit by the Book Tavern, downtown Augusta's amazing bookstore. Click all the links to read more about what's in store for September. Hope to see you around town next month!