
I am a multi-discipline artist working in media ranging from oil and acrylic paints to air dry clay and assemblage. I currently work from a home studio to create my art and partner with various organizations across NE Georgia and the metro Atlanta area.
I graduated from the Savannah College of Art and Design in 1997 with a Bachelor’s degree in Illustration. After spending the last 17 years primarily focused on my family, I am beginning to pursue my art full time. My new portrait series focuses on the concepts of self-image and female empowerment. I hope to pair these concepts with art therapy practices like Positivity Journaling and narrative painting to help women in my community tell their stories and embrace their unique beauty.
I use a narrative painting process to tell the stories of unconventional women who are overcoming trauma, pursuing their dreams, and building a better future. They aren’t super models or celebrities. They’re real women with the passion and perseverance to do extraordinary things.
In my conversations with women in my community over the last few years, I have noticed a trend of women feeling dismissed or unseen by the purveyors of popular culture. They see their worth as being dependent on their appearance or willingness to fit into manufactured roles. Their stories have reshaped my previously symbolic concept for this portrait series to include relatable experiences.
Those who are assertive and self-assured are viewed as aggressive and confrontational, where the same behavior would be viewed as ambitious or competitive in a male contemporary. Those who are beautiful are treated as chattels, incapable of intellectual acumen. Athletic women lack femininity. The stereotypes are myriad, but the overall perception is of a paper doll simplicity where multi-dimensionality is the reality and the beauty that each of us possess.
In my portrait series, I am celebrating the unique beauty of real women with real accomplishments. I am attempting to tell their stories in a way that helps the viewer empathize with their hardships and celebrate their achievements. In my celebration of the wonderful diversity of these women, I am attempting to shift the public narrative from a sterile, commercial idea of beauty toward a realistic aesthetic that celebrates the whole woman.
Professional Summary
Awards
2012 Reflections, Atlanta Branch National League of American Pen Women Juried Show, 3rd Place
2015 Quinlan Members Show Honorable Mention
2018 Georgia Art League Show 2nd Place
2019 Hoschton Heritage Arts Council Annual Juried Show 2nd Place
2021 Hudgens Center Members Show Purchase Prize
Events
2009 – 2011 Art Papers Annual Gala, Participating Artist and donor
2010 Music and Me Juried Show @ Tannery Row Artist Colony, Buford
The Joy of Six Juried Show @ Tannery Row Artist Colony, Buford
2011 2nd Annual Glenn Pelham Foundation donor
2014 & 2015 Painted Backdrops and Event Volunteer for Jackson County Arts Council Annual Gala
2014 & 2015 Folk to Fine Arts Juried Show Participating Artist and Volunteer
2014 – 2016 Family Outdoor Expo Annual Human Trafficking Awareness and Fundraising Event, Participating Artist and Donor
2014 – 2019 Quinlan Visual Arts Center Annual Gala, Participating Artist and donor
2015 Quinlan Visual Arts Center Annual Gala Featured Artist
2016 & 2018 Quinlan Visual Arts Center Juried Folk Art Show Participating Artist
2017 Jackson County Arts Council Juried Art Show and Gala Participating Artist
2019 Hudgens Center Annual Gala, donating artist
2019 Sugar Hill Arts Commission Juried Show Participating Artist
2020 Monroe Walton Center for the Arts Regional Juried Show Participating Artist
2021 OCAF Cut & Paste: The Art of Collage and Assemblage Participating Artist
2021 Mural Competition, Duckin’ Fabulous Award @ Strange Duck Brewing
2022 Solo Show @ Strange Duck Brewing (February)
2022 Wild Woman Portraits @ Quinlan Visual Arts Center Winter Exhibitions (December)
Education
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration The Savannah College of Art and Design 1997
Public Art: Atlanta Intown Art Box Project 2012
Jackson County Chamber Geocache Project Organizer and Participating Artist 2014
Commerce, GA Scarecrow Photo Booth @ Downtown Development Authority 2014
Gainesville, GA Vision 2030 Public Mural Project on the Greenway 2016
Commerce, GA Water Walk Protect; painted fire hydrants for Jackson County Arts Council and City Hall 2017
Atlanta, GA Button Art.org Installation sponsored by Spring Hall Event Venue at 7130 Buford Hwy NE, Suite A
Boards: Jackson County Arts Council 2013 – 2016
Folk to Fine Arts Festival, Commerce, GA 2014 & 2015
Workshops: Positivity Journaling, Mixed Media Techniques, Paper Clay Sculpture
Mentoring: Elementary Level Art Class and Camps for Garden of Discovery Montessori School
Art Badge Workshops for Commerce Boy Scout Troop
Studio Apprenticeships for Foster Children
Professional Services
Commissions: fine art, portraiture, murals, illustration
Copy Writing: Artist Statements, Web Copy and Profiles, Exhibition Proposals
Consulting: Proof-Reading and Editing, Content Creation, Portfolio Development
Okay, here I am, front and center…. Wow me, young lady….
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Spectacular Frances! Enjoyed the read! Rural living should be a requirement for everyone!
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Thanks Rick. I hope y’all are doing well down there in sunny FLA.
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Love you. 🙏🏻♥️ Be you!
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Thank You Michael. I appreciate your feedback.
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