Today we’d like to introduce you to Frank Frances
Hi Frank, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I was around the age of 14 when my mom’s friend Anita gave me her old Minolta camera, and I could not put it down. I was fortunate enough that my art teacher, Mr. Watkins, told me about a new boarding school called the South Carolina Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities that was accepting applications for the last two years of high school. For about 2-3 months Mr. Watkins stayed after school a few days a week to teach me how to make an art portfolio. At the time, I didn’t realize but he was helping me create a passion for making art. I was accepted to the Governor’s School which was the place that absolutely set my soul of fire with photography and art making. The Governor’s School was as if Juilliard and Black Mountain College had a baby and gave students freedom to explore any avenue to think creatively. Being surrounded by amazing students and teachers that had so many interests I was never exposed to like acting, music, and performing art made the possibilities feel endless. After The Governor’s School, I went to Ringling School of Art and transferred to The School of Visual Arts. I have an undergrad and MFA from School of Visual Arts for those folks who are interested in art. Needless to say, I’m here because there is a long history of amazing teachers, family, friends, and strangers that have ultimately supported my growth to this day. I’m blessed to have had the past and present life that I live.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’m from humble beginnings and I work in a world that has been a vast culture shock to create work within. I work in a world of privilege and navigating that space can be challenging sometimes since it’s an unknown territory. Luckily, a lot of people in my world have had similar upbringings and we find joy in chatting about ways to keep motivating one another to revisit old thoughts with new perspectives. This has been something I’ve thought about for 8 years now, essentially trying to explain to my son how I have developed into the man and father that I am today. My biggest struggle has been sitting with the grief, and not always believing in my self worth because of my past. It’s an internal struggle mostly. All while constantly telling myself will get better. What lesson am I in need of learning? There’s an optimism that really keeps me paving a smooth road time and time again, no matter the situation or obstacle in front of me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I do a lot of creative things but my primary tool is photography. My focus is on interiors, architecture, portraits, still life, and painting. Most people would recognize me for interiors photography. My goal now is to get my personal projects out into the world via galleries, museums, and private collections.
You’ll have to ask people around me what set’s me apart for a better read, I always show up and just be Frank!
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am a risk taker in the form of art making and I’ll try anything to sustain my practice as a creator of images. My biggest risk to date was quitting my job and not knowing the outcome. It was when George Floyd’s death happened, and there was a part of me that believed that it was now or never. Luckily at the time, I was doing a lot of freelance work on the side and saw the opportunity to take the plunge to see if I could do it full time. My son was three back then and my biggest fear was him asking me when he’s an adult, “Dad, did you do all you could to live as an artist/dad/human?”. My risk taking has been based on this imaginary question. I live as an example for my son and hopefully it inspires him and others to follow their own path.. If you risk nothing, then you’ll never know.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.frankfrances.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankfrancesstudio
- Other: https://www.art-dept.com/photography/frank-frances
Image Credits
All images are copyright by Frank Frances