TROPICAL PARADISE

I’m lucky enough to be able to say that I have travelled to Indonesia many times, sometimes more than once a year! Many would know Indonesia best thanks to Bali being now a world famous destination, but my heart is set on a little wild and secluded island in the archipelago of the South Seas, called Sumba.

The island of Sumba still feels wild and mostly untouched, and the connection to nature is present at every moment!
While staying in Sumba the time seems to stop to allow me to take in the natural beauty that surrounds me, from the stunning palette of cotton candy sunrises, vibrant blue skies, palm trees and jungle for as far as the eye can see, dead calm tropical storms, the gentle sound of waves, bright sunshine, the intense sunsets and every condition in between, these are the ever inspiring Southern Seas.

Every time I visit Sumba I come back refreshed and refuelled on inspiration to create new abstract landscapes!

The most recent trip to Indonesia coincides with the unveiling of my latest creation in collaboration with Atlas Pearls, a unique artwork featuring my signature style, 23 karat gold leaf paired with 25 unique Atlas Pearls.

Atlas has pearling farms located in the South Seas of Indonesia so I feel naturally connected to these waters and their precious little beauties.

Here’s a sneak peek of the painting titled ‘The South Sea Pearls’ which will be unveiled at the Atlas Pearls Claremont Showroom on Monday 10th December

I will be at the Atlas showroom from Monday 10th to Friday 14th December from 1pm-2pm so come say hi and view the latest collection of paintings as part of my ‘artist-in-residence’ showcase with Atlas.

To celebrate Atlas Pearls is offering 10-20% storewide (T&C apply, see in store for details)

#140YOU COLLABORATION

I am very excited to share my latest collaboration at 140 Perth’s activation #140YOU

This month 140 Perth is encouraging mental well-being and celebrating you!

The precinct has been transformed into a fabulous lounge with plush textures and gold reflections set underneath a cloud installation, inviting relaxation and luxury.

Photo credit: Known Associates Events

One of my emotional landscapes “If It Could Last Forever” is regenerated into a decal as a backdrop to the luxurious oasis that 140 Perth have created in Postal Place.

The decal is a large 4 metres x 3 metres backdrop that compliments beautifully the colour palette for the space.

About “If It Could Last Forever”

An apricot sunrise against the cloudy sky. The landscape took on a reddish glow, and the sunlight seemed to double in intensity as the sun was coming up. The magic of the sunrise and all its amazing colours was nearly gone, leaving just the sun brightening a new day.

A welcome addition to our city, 140YOU runs from May 29 - June 15, immerse yourself in a beautiful space to stop and reflect in the midst of your busy work day.

Photography: P.S. Smile Production  |  Event Coordinators: Known Associates Events  

For collaboration enquiries please email pr@fragnagna.com

COAST – AN EVENING IN CONVERSATION WITH LISA MESSENGER

How else can you stare at an empty canvas and see a work of art? May be you have to be a little crazy. May be you have to see things differently.

I am not one to buy magazines very often, sometimes I just feel like flicking through interior magazines at the beach to get visual inspiration but I still remember the day I picked up the very first issue of Collective Messenger back in 2013, I was simply drawn in. Since then I bought every single issue and I still keep them stacked amongst my favourite books in case I feel the need to get back for some more inspiration.

There’s so many motivational stories featured in each issue of Collective Hub so there’s always something that sparks a bit more inspiration that fuels my creative spirit.

When I heard that Lisa Messenger, editor of Collective Hub, was coming to Perth, I just could not pass the opportunity to see her speak.

We met Lisa on a warm summer evening at Coast Port Beach, one of my favourite beaches in Perth.

If I’m not at the studio painting, you’ll probably find me at the beach!

So I couldn’t resist the opportunity to enjoy a drink by the coast before meeting Lisa and take in the fabulous views over the Indian Ocean, a constant inspiration to my abstract landscapes.

“Life is about the people you meet and the things you create with them.”

I am blessed to be able to work with so many inspiring creatives in my industry and to be surrounded by incredibly talented entrepreneurs in my life.

So here’s to keeping inspired. Connected. Empowered. Resourceful. Excited.

Creative and curious.

A COLLABORATION WITH ATLAS PEARLS

I'm very excited to announce my collaboration with Atlas Pearls and to create an exclusive collection of new works inspired by their latest campaign that took place at one of their remote Atlas Pearl farms in Flores, Indonesia.

An exclusive collection of paintings inspired by the stunning palette of cotton candy sunrises, vibrant blue skies, palm trees and jungle for as far as the eye can see, dead calm tropical storms, the gentle sound of waves, bright sunshine and every condition in between, these are 'The Southern Seas'.

Ocean of dreams, acrylic and 23 karat gold leaf on canvas, 121 x 121 cm 

“Secluded, dreamy and faraway, are the words that come to mind and the inspiration behind the new collection.”

This new and exciting collaboration with Atlas Pearls was born after I saw the new Atlas Pearls campaign shot and filmed by Justin Griffiths. The campaign features Atlas model, adventurer and Australian Survivor TV contestant Sarah Tilleke, on location in the wild and beautiful Indonesian Archipelago.

“At Atlas, we respect and honour nature and the environment. It is essential to value the environment where we make our beautiful pearls and it is also integral to who we are as a company,” says Pierre Fallourd, Managing Director of Atlas Pearls.

“Francesca has successfully captured the essence of the pearl farm landscape. Her unique style and wonderful sense and understanding of colour and contrast is uplifting.

“We are delighted to welcome Francesca into the Atlas Pearls family as our new artist-in-residence,” says Mr Fallourd.

You are all invited to join me for the launch of this exciting collaboration on Wednesday 29th November, 6-8pm, at the Atlas Pearls showroom, 47-49 Bayview Terrace, Claremont, WA. Please RSVP to pr@fragnagna.com if you'll be able to attend. We're looking forward to seeing you there!

LA BELLE VIE

I recently had the pleasure of painting a 6 metres canvas for fashion designer Betty Tran’s latest campaign ‘La Belle Vie’

Betty asked me to create a backdrop for the photo-shoot of her latest collection, which debuted in Paris during Fashion Week in March while I was exhibiting in Hong Kong.

La Belle Vie (‘The Beautiful Life’ in French) is inspired from Betty's journey of being a first time mother to her newborn daughter Sophia who has brought so much love, colour, joy and beauty into her life. This collection is dedicated to all women around the world and celebrates diversity and differences through the beauty of art.

Photography: Aaron McPollin

My interpretation
of the theme 'La Belle Vie' 
onto canvas is
an ethereal atmosphere, 
magical, 
dreamy,
made of soft pastels hues, 
to create a dreamlike and joyous scenario, 
as if the models were  stepping out of one of Monet's painting, 
like a bubble, 
like a dream....
 

We’re all thrilled with the results and I wish Betty all the best on her debut at Paris Fashion Week and the launch of her new collection 'La Belle Vie'

Photography | Aaron McPolin

Producer & Stylist | Betty Tran

Art | Francesca Gnagnarella

Models | Philippa Bingham, Madeleine Mitchell, Ayor Makur

Makeup | Bruce Lim

Make up assistant | Vickie Nguyen

Hair | Terry Clark

Florals |  Samara Flavel

Production assistants | Lisa Fougerouse, Sabrina Ciffolilli, Marina Sarkoskii, Danielle Colalillo

#GIRLBOSSNETWORKING

Last week, together with fellow creatives Jonté Pike, designer of fashion label Jonté Designs, and Natasha Zamora, of Zamora shoes, we hosted our first exclusive #girlbossnetworking event at the gallery. 

              Jonte Pike (left), Francesca Gnagnarella (centre), Natasha Zamora (right)

We gathered together a small group of Perth’s independent women entrepreneurs and small business owners for a soirée of fun and networking, over a glass – or two – of bubbles :-) and lots of french cheeses and yummy treats!

We all had a fabulous night meeting new inspiring ladies and sharing our latest projects and aspirations. It is amazing how well we all connected, coming from the most different fields – art, fashion, landscape design, writing, styling, beauty, interiors, photography-  simply by sharing the same vision of living our most effervescent lives by making what we love.

In each of our jobs, we have all somehow chosen to make our happiness a priority through our passions.

We definitely live our lives following the famous motto: do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life! 

We have loved catching up so much that we have decided to run the #girlbossnetworking events regularly so please get in touch if you would like to join in next time and make sure to follow us on instagram @girlbossnetworking 

ALL THE COLOURS OF THE RAINBOW

Yesterday I ventured on a day trip with my business partner (in crime and other doggy adventures) Donny to the South of Western Australia to meet with my fellow artist Todd Cleave.

Todd and I have collaborated to create a new exclusive collection of beautiful original resin art pieces after our first successful joint exhibition last year. 

I absolutely adore how the brilliant colours come out onto resin and how they talk to the paint I use on my canvases, they are just a match made in heaven! 

'Lost in a daydream' 90 x 60 cm 

Each piece is uniquely created just like a painting and there is not one that is ever the same as another!

'Winter solstice light' 80 x 54 cm 

After the meeting, Donny and I had a lovely walk along the river in Bridgetown and explored the natural beauty of the landscape around the town.

Donny had the best fun!

On our way back to Perth a lunch stop in Donnybrook was obligatory!  ;-D

All new amazing resin art is now available at the gallery by appointment and on my website.  Here’s the direct link to shop online www.fragnagna.com/shop-resin-art

#COLOURCOMMUTES

What a wonderful night we had at the gallery last night celebrating my friends at Dynamique Blog’s 1st birthday bash!

#COLOURCOMMUTES was also an occasion to celebrate my recent collaboration with Dynamique Blog and our Istagram takeover ‘dynamiquexfrancesca’

 @dynamiqueblog |  @fragnagna_art

Art and fashion, the most perfect of companionships, a complementing relationship, often unexpected brilliance!

So here's to collaborations and to new friendships and everything they bring!

#styledinJonte wearing a fabulous cobalt jumpsuit by Jonte Designs and the most amazing sparkling shoes by Zamora Shoes 

I’ve loved every moment of our collaboration and most of all being able to work with such talented creatives and share our love for all things colourful has never been more fun!

For some it could be too much, for us it can never be enough!

When you can loose the ideal of traditional work / life balance, and fuse the two so seamlessly together & embrace both, that your work can allow you to take adventures that you otherwise might not have been able to, and as such that your life is a more enjoyable one, when you truly love what you do.

It took a lot of risk, patience and persistence, faith and optimism. Blood, sweat and a little bit of tears, working, listening, learning and getting inspired and supported from incredible people, getting doors closed in my face and finding a way in through a window to get where I am today it’s simply a bless and I’m grateful for what I’ve been able to achieve so far!

We had so much fun with our guests at last night event and we deeply thank our generous sponsors for helping us make the night such a success with delicious birthday cupcakes from  Baked 180, fabulous Pemberley Wines and a little memento of our collaboration thanks to Little Sketchy. 

#AlwaysSparkling

#HustleToAchieve

Happy 1st birthday Dynamique Blog, here's to many more years of success and fun!