Meet Franchell Mack Brown | professional creative/artist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Franchell Mack Brown and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Franchell Mack, what’s something about your industry that outsiders are probably unaware of?
One thing that people outside the art world probably don’t realize is the minute  percentage of female artists that are represented in museums. 

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

My work is about healing and self-awareness as a healing agent. What sets me apart is  my ability to shift my perspective of what can be perceived as negative and change it to  a positive. This is what my work is about. 

What I am most excited about currently is working with glass. This is a brand new medium for me. One that I discovered as a current annual resident at The Visual Arts  Center of Richmond, in Richmond, VA. 

Getting to where I am today as a professional artist, or as I like to say, creative, was not  easy. I am here because of passion, sacrifice, determination, and skill set. I am focused  and professional. And I have a vision for what I want and where I want my work to land.  But I am also open to the journey taking me where I trust I am supposed to be. 

I want the world to know that thoughts are powerful and that you get what you focus on,  so focus on the good stuff. Know what you like because that’s the road that leads you to  who you really are.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Well first we would visit my solo exhibit at Southside Contemporary Arts Gallery. Then  we would have brunch at Lucky AF with plum saki. Next, we would spend some time at  my studio at The Visual Arts Center Richmond in the fan. 

Dinner would be at Kismet. 

Day two would start with a meal at Roots Natural Kitchen. Then a trip to the VMFA.  Followed by a trip back to VisArts as I am preparing for a group show that opens May  24th. Stop at Hofheimer Rooftop for dinner and drinks. 

Day three we may take a day trip up to BMA in Baltimore to view Joyce J Scott’s Walk A  Mile In My Dreams. 

Day 4 back to the VisArt studio, lunch at El Pope for pupusas. A walk down to Rostov’s 

coffee for a chia latte or herbal tea. Maybe a trip to Shindigz for a sweet treat. Then a  stop at Short Pump Mall to hit up Anthropologie 

Day five home studio and VisArt studio for finishing touches. Stoney Point Mall  Anthropologie (best sale section) a brief stop at Tiffanys. And maybe some dancing for  Latin night at Aloft in Short Pump. 

Throughout the week I would plan to introduce her to several people that I think are  cool. Courtney DeRamus who I’ve known for over two decades. Nastassja Swift, a  brilliant creative. Bethany Brewster who is helping me with some of the crocheting for  the VisArts exhibit. The VisArts cohorts David Joo, Sam Christian and Ty Phelps. My  studio Neighbor Jay Sharp, brilliant jeweler and aspiring painter. He’s a BOSS! And  Lanecia Rouse the amazingly talented artist, wordsmith and curator for the upcoming  VisArts resident group show Dream Manual.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?

OiYin and Rafael Gonzalez deserve a shoutout for their unwavering support of my  dreams. My girls! You know who you are… Credit also goes to my two supportive  children. After their births, I felt compelled to be the best creative I could be to show  them who I truly am. From day one I felt they should know me as a human being. 

Website: FranMackArt.com

Instagram: fran.mack.art

Image Credits
Bethany Brewster
Franchell Mack Brown
Jaime Freiden