Growing up in New Zealand in a large sporty family, I fondly remember on many a sunny day, being cooped up inside, drawing and painting while my siblings bashed it out on the tennis court. At college I studied art for a couple of years before changing to “more practical subjects with better job prospects” (my parents’ words!).

From then on, any desire or motivation to pick up art again was lost to raising my children and a successful career in marketing and communications, though my creative streak was an asset for the latter.

But it was only after my husband and I made the move out of the competitive, fast-paced corporate world that we had been living for over 40 years, and had moved to a quieter, more relaxed part of New Zealand, that I finally had the time and desire to start drawing and painting again.

At my easel

I buy many of my art supplies from Jackson’s, and highly recommend them

After a couple of years of experimenting in different subject areas , I have discovered that my art passion lies in portraiture painting.
I love when I am painting a subject, I get absorbed into their personality, and feel a connection as though I intimately know the subject, whether it is a person, animal or other creature.
When painting, I like to feel that I am breathing life and personality into my rendition of the subject.

From my paintings, the audience should feel like they can reach out and touch the subject, while also seeing into the subject’s soul, whether it’s the innocence of a baby or child, loyalty of a pet or love of a family member.

 

Art to me is my way of expressing that joy of life, as well as being my escape into my ‘happy place’. It’s my way of achieving mindfulness which enables me to step back in time to become that young girl again, who’s sitting inside, with her paper and coloured pencils, and a passion to draw.

Some of my paintings are on permanent exhibition at the Cherry Café on the Whangaparaoa Peninsula in Auckland. If you are interested in purchasing any of my paintings that are for sale or would like to commission a painting, please email me at franb@franb.art