Art & Life with Xappa Franco

Today we’d like to introduce you to Xappa Franco.

Xappa, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
Like most creative types, I had an interest in making things at a very young age. My parents picked up on it and encouraged it, sharing their knowledge and taking me to the library to get books on whatever I was obsessed with that week. I spent every summer at my grandmother’s house and my parents would take my brother and I to the store to buy art supplies for our visits. I would spend hours drawing in front of the TV. I was obsessed with cartoons and puppets. I watched a behind the scenes documentary on the dark crystal and I decided I wanted to make puppets. Even convinced my parents to let me buy upholstery foam at the swap meet to carve my own little creatures. To this day pretty much all my references are cartoons or puppets and I still obsess over learning new skills and techniques.

Can you give our readers some background on your art?
I am a graphic designer at my day job, and a maker in general. I had a jewelry business for a long time but I got burnt out and I’m now just doing whatever I feel like exploring. At this moment, its moving between ink drawings, embroidered back patches and millinery.

I go back and forth between each project to keep my mind fresh. If I get stuck, I just move to the next thing and somehow it works itself out then I come back to it.

Creating something tangible (for me) is a necessity. My mind is always racing and when that energy is harnessed and has direction it’s fantastic and healthy and magical. When it has no direction, it turns inward and can be incredibly destructive.

My inspiration is different for each piece I make. Sometimes I’ll have a dream then wake up and write it down. Sometimes, I find an object or material and really want to make something with it. Sometimes, I’m inspired by historical clothing or traditions or a folk lore tale or a story I’ve heard. It all just kind of blends together in its own way.

What I would hope someone takes away from my work is a feeling. That it evokes an emotion. Whether it’s someone wanting to touch it or someone who’s offended by it, I just don’t want it to be something that just hangs over your couch to match the curtains. There’s room in the world for that too, I just don’t want mine to be in that category.

In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
I think it’s the same as it’s always been and that is, getting paid for your work. If you can buy brand name gear and not bat an eye, then you can support your local artists. I see people hemming and hawing over paying what the artists ask for and trying to haggle like they’re at a garage sale. If you’re curious as to why it costs what it does, ask questions. Artists are always more than happy to tell you a story or nerd out about their techniques. More often than not, way more work goes into what you’re seeing than you can even fathom.

What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
At the moment you can find me on Instagram @xappaland while I work on getting a new online shop up and running. I post pieces there and you can dm for inquiries.

Contact Info:

• Email: xappaland@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xappaland

Image Credit:
All photos were taken by me Christina “Xappa” Franco.

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