Artist Spotlight: Francesca Lawrence's art will make you smile

Welcome back to our fortnightly arts column!

This week, I'm thrilled to feature Francesca Lawrence, a mixed media collage artist whose work you may have spotted at our SwipeRight4Art exhibition earlier this year. Francesca creates everything from thought-provoking social commentary to pure visual joy, and her Instagram (@pesto.frankie) is a treasure trove of process reels for anyone curious about collage techniques. I caught up with her to discuss artistic heroes, creative habits, and why not everything needs a deeper meaning.

Which artist, living or dead, would you love to have coffee with and why?

“This is a TOUGH one and not something I can answer without going 'Oh but noooo, what about him/her?'" Francesca laughs. "It changes depending on mood and even time of year, because I appreciate and admire so many different artists for so many different reasons. I think at the moment, I can narrow it down to two. Firstly, David Lynch - because I recently got his 'Someone Is In My House' art book and I am obsessed. Secondly, Jim Carrey - because he is someone I have adored since childhood from his appearance in numerous favourite movies, and I am so intrigued about his artist process, and the state of mind he hints to within his pieces. To have a coffee with either of those multi-talented artists would be awesome.”

Do you have any creative rituals or superstitions?

“No none at all. I do like to have a houseplant on my art desk when I am working, but that's not a ritual as such, more that I reckon the extra bit of clean air it omits might put some sort of edge to my thoughts, haha!”

If you could give your younger artistic self one piece of advice, what would it be?

“To my 16 year old self: Do as many art courses for fun while you have access to free education. Use the resources open to you without a fee while you can, because this will one day be a hobby for you that actually brings in a few pennies from time to time.”

What's something about your work that people often misunderstand?

“So, I create a lot of pieces that attempt to challenge entrenched societal norms and harmful stereotypes...... but not always. In fact the vast majority of my pieces are pure whimsical nonsense, made to make me and others smile! So if you're struggling to find the 'deeper meaning' within some of my pieces, it truly is because there are none!”

What's the best way for people to experience your work locally?

“Locally, I am represented by both the excellent Sienna Editions (based out of Belgrave Road) and the mighty A Kick Up The Arts in Brixham. Both galleries stock my work in various forms. I also have an active Instagram page under the handle @pesto.frankie, with plenty of process reels for anyone that might want to have a try at mixed media collages.”

What strikes me most about Francesca is her refreshing honesty about the purpose of art. In a world where we sometimes feel pressured to find profound meaning in everything, she gives us permission to simply enjoy the visual feast. Yes, some of her work challenges us to think differently about society, but other pieces exist purely to spark joy – and both approaches are equally valid.

Her choice of artistic heroes – David Lynch and Jim Carrey – reveals an appreciation for creators who move fearlessly between mediums and moods, never confined to a single lane. It's this same creative freedom that allows Francesca to be both commentator and jester, sometimes in the same body of work.

If you're in Torbay and haven't yet discovered Francesca's mixed media collages, pop into Sienna Editions on Belgrave Road or A Kick Up The Arts in Brixham. You might find a piece that makes you think, or one that simply makes you smile. With Francesca's work, you never quite know which you'll get – and that's rather the point.

Where to find Francesca's work: www.siennaeditions.co.uk/collections/francesca-lawrence

Hannah Leadbetter is Director and co-founder of Print2Wall Ltd, specialising in professional artwork photography, fine art printing, and bespoke framing for artists and photographers. Print2Wall is located at 63 Belgrave Road, Torquay. If you're a creative in the arts and would like to be featured in this column, contact hannah@print2wall.co.uk