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Inspired by place: Los Ranchos de Albuquerque-based artist Joshua S. Franco finds inspiration from his surroundings
It鈥檚 3 a.m.
A few hours before the sun crests over the Sandia Mountains, Joshua S. Franco is sometimes restless.
Before his workday begins at Casa Ronde帽a Winery, he tries to get in a few hours of painting 鈥� it鈥檚 a time for solace.
On the winery鈥檚 east side, Franco climbs the narrow staircase leading to the bell tower.
Overlooking the land of where he calls home, this is where the ideas locked in his head come to life.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a beautiful place,鈥� Franco says of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque. 鈥淭he agriculture and being able to work at Casa Ronde帽a. A lot of creative people come through this little village. The wine especially has been inspiring. It鈥檚 starting to be depicted in some of my newer works, where I鈥檓 incorporating a glass bottle. Some part of the story where there is a beverage in hand or something to be shared.鈥�
His studio will be one of 17 stops in the North Valley Studio Tour, which takes place from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 16, and Sunday, Sept. 17.
The expanded revival of the Alameda Studio Tour has stops through the North Valley and includes the Village of Los Ranchos de Albuquerque.
Visitors will be able to make stops at the studios and meet the artists in person.
鈥淭he artists of the North Valley are so excited to welcome art lovers into the spaces where we create. We are a vibrant community of jewelers, painters, ceramists, woodworkers, fiber artists, metalsmiths, and more,鈥� says David Welch, North Valley Studio Tour vice president.
Franco is one of the many artists who have chosen New Mexico as his home.
He鈥檚 lived in Los Ranchos since 2004 with his wife, Colleen, and provides care for his grandmother.
It鈥檚 also where he鈥檚 been able to keep up with his imagination by bringing canvases to life with depth of field and a colorful palette.
Describing his art, Franco is quick to give prime examples.
鈥淔or somebody that asked me that question that鈥檚 not really too familiar with different genres and styles, I want to know if they鈥檙e familiar with Georgia O鈥橩eeffe and Salvador Dal铆,鈥� he says. 鈥淚f they say yes, I say, 鈥榃ell, you can get a narrative or an idea of what it might look like to be in the middle of that. That鈥檚 where you might find me.鈥� 鈥�
Franco grew up in Pennsylvania, where he had a love for art from a young age.
Growing up, he was always sketching or doodling.
By the age of 19, wanting to make a commitment to art, Franco says he was scared to pursue his artistic path because of not feeling like it would be a success.
鈥淪o it just kind of put on the back burner and went towards art education, graphic design and commercial art,鈥� he says. 鈥淭hrough those trials, I found a desire to pursue the path of fine art. I wanted to get a little bit more intense to a point where I felt like I just had to at least try. When I was maybe around 23, that鈥檚 when I realized if I don鈥檛 at least try to push this, I鈥檓 never gonna be happy.鈥�
With more than 20 years of professional painting under his belt, Franco works to balance his day job at the winery and giving way to his art.
He stays busy by working on three to five paintings at a time.
鈥淩ight off the bat, I always have works that are in progress that I can go back and forth,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t allows me to develop the concept and have the time to really feel good about the piece.鈥�
As Franco sits down with blank canvases around his studio space, there is a moment with the inspiration strikes.
Oftentimes, it鈥檚 due to the music playing.
鈥淚t鈥檚 always about the music,鈥� he says with a laugh. 鈥淚t鈥檚 about the moment where I鈥檓 allowing myself to let loose. I love being able to naturally develop that form of expression. I get lost in the music and the ideas move from my head through my hands onto the canvas. I enjoy the rhythm, the process and seeing how the paint flows.鈥�
Throughout his journey in art, Franco has learned many lessons 鈥� both in and out of the studio.
He received sage advice from R.C. Gorman during a conversation at a Taos art show in 2000.
鈥淏eing a young artist, I went over to him and I said to him, 鈥楢nything that you could pass on to me to help me as I pursue this path of fine art. What would it be,鈥� 鈥� Franco remembers. 鈥淗e said, 鈥楽ign your work so that people can read it.鈥� At that point, I was scribbling my name to show my enthusiasm for what I was doing. I realized after he said it, it was some good advice. To this day, I make sure I sign my name with the same detail and attention that I鈥檓 doing with the rest of my work.鈥�
