Francine Tint is a New York based abstract expressionist painter. Her work has been exhibited in over thirty solo shows in the United States and Europe, and is in the permanent collections of numerous museums including the Clement Greenberg collection at the Portland Art Museum and the Krannert Art Museum in Chicago. Her work is currently shown at ACA gallery in New York City. With the holidays around the corner, you can find Francine’s original tint painting- Spider Woman on silk scarves at DZ Zone NYC and from her website. www.francinetint.com
FWM: You came from a different place compared to most artists. Tell us about your background.
I had to support myself from an early age. I went to night school and worked in fashion and costume design to support my ultimate goal of being an artist.
How did your work as a costume designer impact your art?
It impacted it a lot. My paintings have a lot of layers, like clothing. What I realized is painters, like Rembrandt and Titian, were like costume designers, too. They knew how to do velvets and zippers and layers.
As an abstract expressionist artist Francine is known for her work with color, she experiments with combinations and layers of reds, pinks, oranges, grays, blacks, lime greens, mustard yellows, turquoises and purples.
FWM: When you began as an abstract expressionist, it was a boy’s club. How have you evolved?
In the beginning, I was slightly embarrassed to be an abstract painter, because, at the time I was getting into it, it was a bit hardcore. Women weren’t allowed into it as much. It was a big boy network.
I have always been persistent, and even though I was kept down at times, I continued to work hard and focus on my goal of inspiring others through painting.
Francine has credited art critic Clement Greenberg, who discovered Pollock and Helen Frankenthaler, for ushering her into the male-dominated style of abstract art.
You described painting like a dance. Expound on this idea.
When I’m beginning a piece, I wrap the canvas around the wall and on the floor, and if anybody has observed Pollock, I work in a similar fashion – it’s a lot of physical movement where my whole body is involved in the process as I move and spread the paint around the canvas.
FWM: You have credited therapy for your passion for painting. Tell us more.
It was a good, supportive system for me to have one-on-one guidance, especially as a young woman.
FWM: Where can we find your paintings?
My work can be found in 27 museums around the country including the Neuberger Museum and the Tampa Museum of Art.
FWM: What is the philosophy behind your paintings?
I am a colorist and my mission is to put my strength onto the canvas and to express emotions, feelings, and thoughts through color for other people to interact with and interpret.
Share a few of your favorites/collector’s favorites.
Earthly Signs, Gone Gone, Beyond Gone, Fireworks, Black Lagoon, Seven Sirens
FWM: Why are you a Formidable Woman?
I believe in hard work and self-expression, as well as enlightening other women through sharing arousing colors and textures. I often donate my work to young women-based charities so that they can feel the power of the paintings as well.
www.francinetint.com
