I am excited that my Lou Loves Learning! Facebook Fan of the Week is a woman I have been Facebook friends with for quite a while. Franziska and I share a love of blogging and through her blogging I have seen her develop and grow into really owning her presence as an artist. And what an artist! I love her paintings. They are vibrant and rich – rather like Franziska. I hope you’ll all read about Franziska, leave her a comment and then stop by HER blog and take a look at her gorgeous artwork! Leave a comment there too – you know it’s good karma right?
What would you like readers to know about you personally?
I love discussions, open-minded people, different opinions, cultures, languages and I am a very philosophical person. Every day is a miracle and as long as I am allowed to walk on this earth and share my time with you, I don’t want to stop learning, exploring and discovering.
I am from Germany, became an Executive Chef in 1996 and worked in the luxury hotel & cruise industry for 14 years in many different countries and world-wide at sea. In 2008, I married my husband Ron and moved to McKinney in Texas.
And what do you do?
At this stage of my life, I am an artress, I discovered oil paint when I was 15 and ever since loved the bright colors and the way you can create statements without saying a word. My statement is love and harmony. I want the viewers to be comfortable and feel happiness when they look at my paintings. I translate the beauty of nature into impressionism and abstract.
Who is your greatest supporter in life and work?
My parents gave me a wonderful childhood with the world open to embrace. They taught me how to enjoy and respect nature, they gave me great education and they taught me that all men are equal. It is for them that I am equally comfortable with academics and with simple people (sometimes they are the smarter people). My husband loves me unconditionally and he supports me in all aspects of life “honey, whatever you want to do”. He’s my best friend and I can be the person I really am.
Who or what inspires you?
While there are countless people who I absolutely admire for their selfless and spiritual lives and work (Mother Theresa, Dalai Lama, Pope Benedict, street workers and all the unknown quiet souls out there who sacrifice themselves for others every single day), I get my inspiration in nature. Nature just is. I can go out there; it listens but doesn’t talk back while I get my answers.
What does the word freedom mean to you?
Being myself. I can only be free when I allow myself to be myself. At some time in my life, I tried to change for other people around me and everything that makes life beautiful faded away until all my energy was gone. Luckily, I woke up and claimed my freedom back.
What are your goals?
Sell many of my paintings so I can build an eco-friendly Bed & Breakfast – including a small store and classroom- near San Francisco. Host art-shows and sell my and other artists’ paintings, music evenings, have an organic garden and present cooking demonstrations, classes, wine and cheese tastings (and more) with products from the property and local farmers. I want to set an example to our current generation that we can live responsibly and value mother earth, culture and fine arts.
Favorite Quote
Imagination is more important than knowledge (Albert Einstein)
How can people connect with you?
My blog Flavor Designs: flavordesigns.com
My website: franziskasanpedro.com
Twitter: twitter.com/FlavorDesigns
Facebook Fan Page: www.facebook.com/pages/Flavor-Designs/ 83621469431
