EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW - Angela Maria Franco, painter of faith

The editors of Catholic Online recently discovered the artwork of Angela Maria Franco, a woman from Colombia with an amazing talent. Today, Franco resides in Utah where she shares her work with those around her. We'd like to bring you her work in the hopes that you too can draw inspiration from its unique style and breathtaking beauty. 

LOS ANGELES, CA (Catholic Online) - COL: Your artwork is beautiful and inspiring. How do you create your works?

FRANCO: I keep at all times a little sketch book and, any kind of feelings, things I see, or think; I draw, sketch or write. I collect myself before painting. I always dedicate my work, whatever this work may be, to my dear Lord, Jesus Christ.

COL: When did you start painting?

FRANCO: When very little, may be 5 years old I can only remember one painting I did, but I always  dreamed of becoming a writer and a poet. 

COL: How long does it take to create a work that you are satisfied with sharing?

FRANCO: Well, it goes like this, when working with oils sometimes it can be done in a month, other work can stay with me for as long as a year until everything is in place. When I use water and ink over paper as a medium, I may work each layer quite fast. However, the time between them (the layers) can be longer; on occasions I need these layers to be dry for the next step to happen and , other times I needed the paper wet for effects. I also do work with oils on wood, this is another story in itself.  

Now, after the piece is done, in my eyes and mind, and, in my heart, I reflect on this painting. It has a name from the time I considered it in my heart; she or he will sit in my house from 2 weeks to a month or a year before I share her/him or them, with anyone out there. 

COL: I noticed your use of bright colors. Why do you choose these colors?

FRANCO: Colors are the meanings, feelings, they create words in your mind, tell a story, and permit the passions be present through your senses. Color materializing the wisdom of each Saint's presence, or every tree a leaf, bird, the sky, his or her eyes, is the soul of my art.

COL: Has your work been shared with anyone else, such as your church or the community?

FRANCO: Yes, I have had the opportunity to display my work in galleries, however, this has not been easy. Religious art is misjudged, misunderstood, and devalued by many people. For this reason I have my second line of work within my art, landscapes, just because they are the creation of God, the perfection of His art, in my eyes, and no one can judge them as harshly. Though I give all of my time, researching, studying, sketching, and understanding to my religious art, only a few pieces have made it out as someone purchased or commission a work to do. Many of my paintings I have just give them away as presents. On occasion, I send a work of art to a religious order when they ask for money.  

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COL: What do these works of art mean to you?

FRANCO: Everything, is my way of evangelizing, is my way to tell Him how much I love Him, it was the way He calls me back to His church. It is the way I can tell someone that I love him or her. It is my life dedicated to my God, to His church. I have 2 kids, one daughter, one son, and their rooms are full of paintings all reminding them how much I love them both.

COL: Angela Franco, thank you so much for sharing your work with us. We look forward to seeing more of it in the future. 

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