Meet Randi Frances of Randi Frances Art

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

Randi, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I knew by the age of 6 that I wanted to be an artist and spend my life creating. I was highly discouraged by teachers and eventually kicked out of art classes in high school for my rebellion against conforming and for my disbelief of rules for art in general. I went on to be self taught and learn the endless possibilities of freedom and expression in all forms and mediums. There is nothing I wont paint on or use in my work. I am not married to a definite style and love to dance around with them all.

No matter the piece, how bright or dark its content, my work exudes my feelings and vulnerability stemming from unique obstacles and extreme traumas in life. I love sharing my story. I love being vulnerable and touching others with my truth. After a rape in 2008, getting back to normal life while being diagnosed with PTSD was extremely difficult and crippling. Before that, art was part-time, moving my workaround in shows and galleries, but after that, it was a means of coping to dive fully into doing art full time. I had to give myself that chance. I had been a well established artist in the area for a while and it was the only thing that brought me peace. I went after every artist call I could and worked more diligently to get my name and works shown about. At that time, I was often painting all day and night.

I began getting more and more calls for commissioned and custom works. Shortly after I began devoting all my time to painting, I began taking on private art lessons with children. This brought me so much joy getting to inspire young ones in art and I knew I wanted to do more. I wanted to turn my past frustrations with art teachers into a future of teaching all ages that there are no rules in art and that there is an artist inside all of us. This is the heart behind expanding my business and the guts of all I do. I started investing in supplies to teach large groups, easels, brushes etc. I began creating a gallery of pieces that I could teach and guide all ages through in classes. I now have supplies for classes and parties of 60 and travel all around the metroplex and beyond with my classes/parties.

I still create my own pieces and do shows, and work on commissioned pieces, but if I am not, I am out teaching a class or party somewhere! I stay really busy and book up fast. I have regular public classes at a fun restaurant in FW called Americado, adult paint n sips and kid classes. I do all sorts of private parties. I come to your home, business, church, venue of choice or anywhere! They are the best birthday parties because I entertain the kids while you relax for the 2hr painting. Each party gets to pick their own image and I walk the class through it. I am somewhere different teaching everyday. I visit assisted living homes, daycares, trauma and special needs patients, and anywhere that desires paint classes!

Getting to share art is the greatest blessing. I work with a nonprofit organization as well, The Welman Project, which teaches the value of recycling and art. I teach after-school programs for them among other things, and we will be working with make a wish next month. Donating my time is something that is extremely meaningful to me. I know how much art can help and healing someone going through hardship. My business has come so far with where it is today, especially over the last 10yrs and that only makes me more eager to get involved with more hospitals, charity work, and using art as a ministry and a powerful healing therapy.

Has it been a smooth road?
You know, I was so passionate with making the decision to pursue my dreams of becoming a self-employed artist and sharing art with others, that I only see the blessings, and with that can say that it has been graciously smooth. I am so lucky to work doing what I love. I operate in my faith and in love, and when you do that, nothing seems like too much of a struggle. My heart is completely involved in everything I do. If your heart is behind it, it makes the bumps and blocks look smaller and fade faster. No matter what, each day, I hit the pavement pushing what I love to do.

Of course, I have my slow times, things that don’t work out or setbacks, but I just see it as my life being rerouted to bigger better things and that couldn’t be more true. I do not keep company with negativity or with establishments that are shady. My only complaint is that the only solid platform for publicity is social media and it is frustrating that they can limit and block you. But I am also so grateful because the majority of my business is based on referrals, I choose to exude love and kindness in everything I do and I swear that is the key to my success.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Randi Frances Art – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
What I am most proud of about my company IS what sets is apart from others. Not only is the environment more exciting and enjoyable than your ordinary paint and sip place or art class, you actually learn skills and techniques throughout class rather than being rushed into speed painting. My designs are unique too. I often have classes where we recreate masters’ works and none of my creations are not your typical boring landscape or birds on dead trees, as I like to call them.

My paint your pet classes are the most popular of my adult classes. I teach realism and pop art styles and guide the class to glorious work. They are pre-sketched out and I have never had anyone leave that wasn’t thrilled with their lovely piece. My most popular kid classes are picked your favorite cartoon. The images are sketched out for them as well and they get to learn painting skills while creating a piece they can proudly hang on their walls. For the anxiety I gained through my traumas and PTSD, teaching art, putting myself and my outgoing and kind heart out there have gotten me through the tough times. I have been healed through my own art therapy.

You’d not know any of that by how wildly exciting my classes are. The other thing that sets me apart from others is my prices. For being self-employed and it only being me, I am able to keep my prices lower than the rest. I want so badly for everyone to be able to enjoy art and my classes. Specializing in, in-home private parties, group parties, nursing homes, company team building, special needs, traveling art parties. I think I am known for my wit and kindness and in classes. I have a beautiful following of students. Mine just really are more fun than the rest. I am meticulous and professional, but my goal is for everyone to have a great time.

For my personal art side of my business, my personal large-scale creations are not for everyone. They are usually extremely colorful and have a wide range of mixed mediums. I don’t want to create art that everyone loves. I want to create art that deeply touches those who see through it. I paint my guts, not what everyone wants. They can get that from the store. I want to tell my story. Also, you aren’t just learning from an instructor, but a seasoned artist.

Nothing against a lot of the instructors out there. That is what I teach, is that there’s an artist in each of us, but I really teach skills during classes and my art can be seen throughout walls and galleries all around.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The thing I love most about our city is the heart of art. It seems to grow larger every year. There is a wonderful acceptance for artists and a variety of styles within our city. The possibilities are out there, but you have to completely put yourself out there to be successful. As an artist, it takes 100% of your time to be successful in the art world. You have to constantly pursue and reach out for new work.

Everybody wants to be an artist around here and I want to show everyone that they are in my classes. I do wish that the city had more opportunities for funding to emerging artists, mural projects(which I love to do), and outreach programs available for art to those who desperately need it as it is being taken from schools. I think we are embraced well and getting there as far as realizing the value of artists in our community and the importance of art all around us to nurture our world.

Pricing:

• Personal creations and commissioned art 200-2000 average
• Classes range 15-50 each

Contact Info:

• Email: randi.art@att.net
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/randifrancesart/

Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.