Nov 25, 2016 - Patrick Francis in The Age and Sydney Morning Herald
Emerging painter and autism ambassador Patrick Francis
expresses himself through his art
Melbourne artist Patrick Francis' brightly coloured portraits are distinctive works of art.
You may have seen them in the National Gallery of Victoria's Melbourne Now exhibition, or more recently in current group shows at Brunswick's Counihan Gallery or Linden New Art in St Kilda.
His work has been acquired by the Art Gallery of NSW and Artbank, he's had a number of shows at Sydney's Robin Gibson Gallery, has exhibited in India, Singapore and Bangkok and he's won a number of awards.
Francis is a prolific creator – he sits at the kitchen table at home and paints, carefully, rarely spilling a drop.
He's also an award-winning sportsman (a particularly keen golfer) and works as a disability ambassador.
Francis, 25, who has autism, began painting as a child alongside his older sister, Lesley Steff (they both have works in the Moreland Summer Show, Factivism, at the Counihan).
He's very polite, a little bit bashful, and a man of very few words (his parents, Sandra and Greg Francis, help answer questions on his behalf) but his enthusiasm is abundantly clear when we visit the family's Essendon home.
Many of his paintings are in the style of old masters, who he studies in art history books. The works of Vincent van Gogh and Diego Velazquez are particular favourites (especially the latter's portrait of Spain's King Philip IV). Yet more contemporary artists, including singers Kylie Minogue, Nicky Minaj and Michael Jackson, are among his other regular subjects.
The kitchen and lounge are filled with his paintings – although Mrs Francis says that's only a small sample of his output, as most of his works are on display, now in 15 current exhibitions at last count.
Francis works at Arts Project Australia each Wednesday and is one of 130 artists who regularly practise at the Northcote studio.
He is among some artists from the studio who have had significant mainstream success, well beyond the realm of what is normally deemed "outsider art".
"We have artists who have reached that stage in their career," says Arts Project Australia studio manager James McDonald. "but Patrick has done it quite swiftly."
"Patrick is among a small cohort of artists who are having great success. Most of our artists we try to [help them] develop ... professional CVs and profiles. We have rigorous selection committees and it's important the work we exhibit has a standard and quality."
"Luckily for us, and we love hearing this, it's their vocation – it's what they spend most of their time on and they're making money to support themselves."
Patrick Francis' work features in the Arts Project Australia annual gala exhibition from December 3 and the ADEC Artability Diverse-city exhibition at Federation Square from December 13.
patrick-francis.weebly.com
https://www.artsproject.org.au/artist/patrick-francis/
adec.org.au
by Debbie Cuthbertson
Debbie Cuthbertson is the Arts Editor of The Age. A multimedia journalist with extensive experience in print, online and broadcast media, she managed the ABC's national arts coverage online from 2009-11 and has held many roles with Fairfax Media.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/melbourne-arts/emerging-painter-and-autism-ambassador-patrick-francis-expresses-himself-through-his-art-20161125-gsxnva.html
http://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/melbourne-arts/emerging-painter-and-autism-ambassador-patrick-francis-expresses-himself-through-his-art-20161125-gsxnva.html
(Click links below to view details / photographs of the products / exhibitions / awards).
Patrick Francis - Prints, Throw Pillows, Duvet Covers, Shower Curtains
Patrick Francis - Handmade Designer Art Souvenir Tea Towels
Patrick Francis - Designer Greeting Cards for all occasions
Patrick Francis - New artwork for sale
Patrick Francis - Books for sale
Patrick-Francis.weebly.com
Patrick-Francis.Bluethumb.com.au
Patrick-Francis.FineArtAmerica.com
Lesley-Patrick-Francis.Amazon.com
Patrick-Francis.RobinGibsonGallery.net
Patrick-Francis.ArtsProjectAustralia.com
Absolutely-Awetistic-Arts.FineArtAmerica.com
Patrick Francis - Prints, Throw Pillows, Duvet Covers, Shower Curtains
Patrick Francis - Handmade Designer Art Souvenir Tea Towels
Patrick Francis - Designer Greeting Cards for all occasions
Patrick Francis - New artwork for sale
Patrick Francis - Books for sale
Patrick-Francis.weebly.com
Patrick-Francis.Bluethumb.com.au
Patrick-Francis.FineArtAmerica.com
Lesley-Patrick-Francis.Amazon.com
Patrick-Francis.RobinGibsonGallery.net
Patrick-Francis.ArtsProjectAustralia.com
Absolutely-Awetistic-Arts.FineArtAmerica.com
Email : [email protected]
Web : patrick-francis-2016.weebly.com/
Acrylic on canvas 80x80cm
Acrylic on Paper 56x76cm
Acrylic on canvas 60x90cm
Acrylic on Paper 35x50cm
Acrylic on canvas 40x40cm
Acrylic on canvas 60x60cm
Patrick Francis - Art Month, Sydney, March 2015
Patrick Francis solo - Arts Projects Australia 2014
Patrick Francis - Indian Link Magazine 2014
Absolutely Awetistic Arts - Art Exhibitions
Patrick Francis - Out of the Blue Exhibition
Patrick Francis - Melbourne Art Fair 2014
Patrick Francis solo - Little Woods Gallery 2014
Patrick Francis - APA/Melbourne Art Fair 2014
Patrick Francis - MIRA Award Winner 2014
Lesley & Patrick Francis - Amazon Books
Patrick Francis - SafARI 2014 Academia
Patrick Francis & Friends Exhibition 2015
Patrick Francis - Face 2 Face Exhibition
Patrick Francis - Arts Project artwork
Patrick Francis - Live Guide Australia
Patrick Francis - Herald Sun News
Patrick Francis - Art & Australia
Patrick Francis - Artist & Athlete
Patrick Francis - Melbourne Now
Patrick Francis - Backyard Opera
Patrick Francis - Art on Youtube
Patrick Francis - Buried at Sea
Patrick Francis - Tea Towel
Patrick Francis - Art
Absolutely Awetistic Arts - webs
Patrick Francis - Art Exhibitions
Patrick Francis - SafARI 2014
Patrick Francis - Pinterest
Patrick Francis - Art Blart
Patrick Francis - Amaze
Patrick Francis - Raven
Patrick Francis - Victorian Young Achiever Awards 2014
Patrick Francis - Vic Multicultural Award Winner 2014
Web : patrick-francis-2016.weebly.com/
Acrylic on canvas 80x80cm
Acrylic on Paper 56x76cm
Acrylic on canvas 60x90cm
Acrylic on Paper 35x50cm
Acrylic on canvas 40x40cm
Acrylic on canvas 60x60cm
Patrick Francis - Art Month, Sydney, March 2015
Patrick Francis solo - Arts Projects Australia 2014
Patrick Francis - Indian Link Magazine 2014
Absolutely Awetistic Arts - Art Exhibitions
Patrick Francis - Out of the Blue Exhibition
Patrick Francis - Melbourne Art Fair 2014
Patrick Francis solo - Little Woods Gallery 2014
Patrick Francis - APA/Melbourne Art Fair 2014
Patrick Francis - MIRA Award Winner 2014
Lesley & Patrick Francis - Amazon Books
Patrick Francis - SafARI 2014 Academia
Patrick Francis & Friends Exhibition 2015
Patrick Francis - Face 2 Face Exhibition
Patrick Francis - Arts Project artwork
Patrick Francis - Live Guide Australia
Patrick Francis - Herald Sun News
Patrick Francis - Art & Australia
Patrick Francis - Artist & Athlete
Patrick Francis - Melbourne Now
Patrick Francis - Backyard Opera
Patrick Francis - Art on Youtube
Patrick Francis - Buried at Sea
Patrick Francis - Tea Towel
Patrick Francis - Art
Absolutely Awetistic Arts - webs
Patrick Francis - Art Exhibitions
Patrick Francis - SafARI 2014
Patrick Francis - Pinterest
Patrick Francis - Art Blart
Patrick Francis - Amaze
Patrick Francis - Raven
Patrick Francis - Victorian Young Achiever Awards 2014
Patrick Francis - Vic Multicultural Award Winner 2014