Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Franchell Mack Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Franchell Mack, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

I was first introduced to the idea of a professional creative career in High School at Duke Ellington School of the Arts. Although I was intrigued by the idea of earning a living as a professional artist, I was more familiar with fashion at that time. And I had more confidence in myself creating fashion than fine art. Fast forward a lifetime. After my children were born, I began to mix elements of jewelry making, and fashion to make fine art. I felt compelled to create with more freedom. What solidified my decision to go full throttle with a professional art career was the pandemic of 2020. Ironically, in the depths of so much uncertainty, I felt secure enough financially to take that time to invest in a risk.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am a native Washingtonian. I reside in Richmond, VA as a multi-disciplinary artist with an active studio practice. I’m also a Mom of two brilliant, (nearly adult), teenagers. I expressed my creativity at a very young age. I taught myself to cut patterns and sew starting around 10 years old. By 13 I started selling my designs. I am an alum of The Duke Ellington School of the Arts, (DESA), as a visual arts major. This was rigorous college-level training in high school. DESA is where my confidence as a creative blossomed. Post graduation, I began creating jewelry for myself and subsequently others due to overwhelming special orders. As my interest in creating fashion for others faded, my focus on adornments bloomed. I apprenticed with Dr. Reggie Ray in costume design and Saleem Shakur of Georgetown in goldsmithing.

Fast forward through many cities and many more artistic ventures… My children’s births compelled me to create more prolifically than ever before. And I did so with abandon. My work merged fine art, craft, and jewelry elements during this period. The scale of my work grew, as large bib neck pieces gave way to sculptural works. First, as wall hangings that desperately urged to be free-standing sculptures. I became a certified welder as a way to provide for myself and my children as my marriage dissolved, and to build the armatures that I (literally) dreamt about. Throughout my life, fine art had always been a buzz in the background as I labored. Some moments were louder than others. But I had no idea that ahead was a sonic boom that could not be ignored. That blast was the pandemic of 2020. For the first time in my life, I had the finances and the time to create in the most freeing way. I decided that it was the right time to fully commit myself to a professional fine art career.

“Make a decision, and all the Universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” -Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist.

I am a Virginia Museum of Fine Art Fellow, (VMFA), 2021-22. I have several works in the Capital One Collection. I’m a cohort of Interlude Residency, Hudson, NY 2022, and Monson Arts Residency, Monson, MN 2023. And most recently, an annual resident at The Visual Arts Center of Richmond VA, 2023-24. While in residence at VisArts, I built 76 finished works in under 11 months, These works were included in a solo exhibit, FELICITIES, at Southside Contemporary Art Gallery and a group exhibit, DREAM MANUAL, at The True F. Luck Gallery. My Solo exhibit, RECLAIMATION, is currently on view at the VMFA Pauley Center until February 9, 2025.

I crochet. But not like your grandma. I build armatures by any means necessary. I embellish with semi-precious stones, mainly natural pearls. I recently discovered glass in the processes of flameworking and fusing. I am inspired by journeys of healing past trauma and raising one’s vibration to maintain a balanced and peaceful life. My sculptural and wearable works are built with the spirit of this inspiration. These works are meant to encourage joy and movement in the viewer as stories of inspiration and resilience are shared.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My whole life up until the pandemic of 2020 was a series of pivots. I dreamt of creating full-time from the time that I was introduced to that possibility as a teenager. I wasn’t a confident person in many ways at that time. I held onto falsehoods that prevented me from believing that I was competent in completing a college degree. I didn’t see myself as capable or intelligent enough. I knew that I was talented, but I didn’t know if it was enough.

Having zero outside monetary support, I worked in costume design, sold fabrics, and held retail sales positions as I longed to just create my own work. I tried to launch my creative endeavors with very little knowledge of how. I would ultimately default to retail sales jobs, still making my wares after regular work hours. Several times, I packed up all my supplies and tools and put them in the back of a closet. And each time I got a call asking me to make a special order. Eventually, I realized that this was a message telling me not to give up. I moved forward with a different perspective. I grew into retail management and then got burned out. I started in Visual Merchandising and felt that this was perfect for me as I set myself up to eventually become a full-time artist. At that time I didn’t know exactly what it would take to make that dream come true. My marriage interrupted my Visual Merchandising plan. I followed my then-husband to Appalachia VA where his company transferred him with a day’s notice. Once our second child was born, A fire was lit inside me that I can’t explain. Except to say that I absolutely had to make art! After the children were put to bed, I was in a blissful, frenzy making just for the sake of creating. Finally, I was making fine art and telling stories that I had longed to release. I began to ask for help as I realized that I didn’t know how to do this from a professional standpoint. I felt humbled asking for help at that time. Mid-forties, two young children, no degree. But that same humility prompted me to ask many questions to many people. I began to apply to shows and create opportunities to show what I had created. I began to win awards. some with cash prizes. But I was still in Appalachia, VA.

Eventually, I settled in Richmond, VA where things are finally coming together beautifully. This is my most significant pivot to date. At the start of the 2020 pandemic, I made a bold decision to move forward in the arts, whatever that looked like. No more retail as a crutch. I reached out to friends and associates to ask what a career in the arts might look like with no more than a welding certification. Mainly the answer was what has become one of my most used mantras, Just Keep Going.

I love and respect my studio practice. What has also evolved is my passion for artist development. I am Working on a pilot program with The VisArts Center RVA. PAD, Professional Artist Development, will be introduced in early December 2024. I have a vision for this program that spans across the USA eventually. I am also in talks to develop another artist-assisting program with other sources that I hope to reveal soon.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

My goal, or mission, is to be a healed, and healthy adult living a balanced and peaceful life. And share the journey in hopes of encouraging others to have the courage to do the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://FranMackArt.com
• Instagram: fran.mack.art

Image Credits

All Photos by David H. Hale