Daily Inspiration: Meet Carlene Frances

Today we’d like to introduce you to Carlene Frances.

Hi Carlene, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I pursued an art career because it’s what I do best. I was always drawn to the visual arts as a child and compelled to create. I like to think it choose me because it was something I HAD to do. I attended Kendall Collage of Art and Design in Grand Rapids Michigan in 1971 and after my first year I decided to move to Colorado where I chose to start a family. I was in and out of careers in the Dental field until the age of 41 when I returned to college to finish my degree and pursue my passion. I received my degree in 1998 a BFA in painting and drawing from Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design. I immediately started to show my work and was represented by several galleries, Remmi Fine Art and Art Movement in Colorado. In 2007 myself and two artists’ friends opened a gallery on the Santa Fe Drive Arts District but, within a year the 2008 recession hit hard and we had to close our doors. Fortunately Space Gallery owner Michael Burnett offered the space on his upper level to us and I was eventually asked to join the staple of artists he represented. Soon after that I started showing in Santa Fe NM at Globe Fine Art Gallery. I’ve have been invited to show at Metropolitan State College’s Center for the Visual Arts, “Women In Abstraction” exhibit and the Arvada Center’s “Colorado’s Abstract + 10 exhibit”. I’ve been very fortunate to have many wonderful opportunities to show my work in museums in New York, Japan and Italy.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There is no road to success that doesn’t have its challenges or struggles. The art world is full of talented artists so the competition is REAL to find an audience. Some of my greatest challenges were finding the right galleries for representation, dealing with rejection especially when you aren’t following trends, financial issues, and the ever changing marketing methods are just a few. Another challenge for me is I’m dyslexic and grew up in a time when it was not understood nor diagnosed properly. Many children were shamed for not being able to read and write and it often affects ones self-esteem. Fortunately I had encouragement to pursue the act of creating. It was my visual voice which allowed me to express my ideas and thoughts on canvas. Fortunately I was able to overcome and pursued my path but, it wasn’t until my early forties that I really embraced my art career.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m an oil painter known for a technique called glazing which is an old process done by many artist such as the Dutch painter Johannes Vermeer. The technique requires many layers of thin transparent oil paint. It is a time consuming process and takes 3-4 months to complete a painting because the glazes need to be completely before applying the next layer. Some paintings have as many as 30-40 layers of glazes. My paintings are influenced by Asian aesthetic and Eastern thought. “Eliminate the unnecessary so the necessary may speak”. Many series of my work are based on the Japanese the word Seijaku, striving for tranquility in the midst of chaos. I suggest to the viewer that the journey to serenity can start with a break in the routines of an active life. A move towards, order, simplicity and balance. I’ve always been fascinated by the dichotomy between order and chaos especially in today’s constant barrage of media and technology. I use of binary code which may set me apart from most, with its distortion and randomness it’s symbolic and relevant to what we are exposed to everyday.

What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I’ve learned when encountering an obstacles alone the way not to be afraid to ask those I respect and those who have achieved success for critiques, advice and information that would help me grow as an artist and further my career. I’ve learned I can’t wait to be discovered that it’s up to me to do the paintings and marketing. It’s imperative to know my intention, to be clear on my vision, stay the course, trust the process and let go of the outcome. I constantly tell myself “go to the studio and do the work”. Most importantly knowing my intention is my greatest lesson. When I have intention and content to my work it keeps me focused and I don’t loose track of the concept I am visually trying to achieve and express on my work.

Contact Info:

• Email: carlenefrances@comcast.net
• Website: carlenefrances.com
• Instagram: carlenefrancesart