@mariefrancoart

Though Franco is still young, that hasn’t stopped her from painting her way into some of

South Florida’s most distinguished museums. As of 2020, she has exhibited original

artwork at Wynwood’s White Porch Gallery, the Orlando Museum of Art, White’s Art

Gallery in Miami and many other venues.

Born in Venezuela, Franco has paved her way into the Miami art scene one museum at

a time.

“I look for all the events that I do. I search for curators, I search for galleries,” she says

firmly. “I take time for that every single day.”

Her sharp gaze echoes her mature determination and professional attitude. Rather than

waiting for opportunity to strike, Franco conjures it herself.

Remarkably, Franco’s style has already developed into something that is

characteristically her own. Basquiat-esque graffiti influences are prevalent throughout

her works and accentuate the main subjects form portrait to portrait.

Her process interestingly revolves around music and ambient sound. Pulsating beats

and rhythms bleed into her brushwork and translate into her visual field.

However, Franco’s success has not always come so easy. Since moving to the U.S. five

years ago, she has encountered several immigration-related setbacks with finding work

and necessary funding for her projects.

 

What’s more, Franco constantly worries for her friends and family back in Venezuela, who

are suffering at the hands of the oppressive Maduro regime. The country in turmoil has

rubbed salt in Franco’s already aching wounds.

Yet, rather than feel helpless, she attempts to draw attention to the under-reported

struggle abroad through her work.

It takes only one look at her paintings to reveal the repetitive red, blue and yellow color

palette emblematic of the Venezuelan flag. It’s an homage to her country, and a call for

action.

“I use only seven stars in my paintings, which symbolizes that you don’t agree with the

flag of the Venezuelan government,” she says. Additionally, she uses profits from her art for donations to different causes such as Venezuelan live aid and Black Visions collective.

Despite all of her success, Franco knows that art is a tough business.

“It’s a really risky career. You’re at the mercy of your own luck,” she confesses. “But at

the end of the day, it’s what I love.”

And as the saying goes: if you love something, it will work. Painting supplies from past high school teachers and a resourceful attitude

have allowed Franco to excel despite adversity.

-Jason Rosemberg. June 23,2020