Rua Francis’ art is shaped and influenced by her Mesopotamian and Assyrian heritage. This is evident in her artwork, as she infuses forms of Aramaic and Arabic arabesque and calligraphy art by combining the “elegant complexity of ink on paper”.
Francis’ art style creates “an experiential interpretation of what ‘is’ versus what is ‘seen’ while illuminating the harmony and oneness of all parts”.
I had the amazing opportunity to catch up with Rua and ask her a few questions about her beautiful artwork. She shared with me her cultural background and what inspires her to create art.
Good Life Detroit (GLD): Where are you from? How long have you been living in Detroit?
Rua Francis (RF): I was born in Kuwait and raised in both Kuwait and Iraq until my family and I fled to Canada at age 19. It has been a long journey of hardships, adjustments, and growth; which has definitely taken a toll on my artistic expression. I came to Detroit 4 years ago to study at Wayne State University and obtained a BSc. in Marketing. I’ve since fallen in love with a Michigander, got married and now have a baby boy together.
GLD: How long have you been creating art?
RF: It’s been a lifetime! I come from a long line of creative artists and designers. My father, a physician by day, designed and handcrafted fashion jewelry and accessories by night. My creativity was also cultivated at age 3 by my aunt: an artist and art teacher. It has been a journey of artistic and personal evolution ever since.
GLD: How would you describe your art/artwork?
RF: Bold, elegant and fresh! I create with bold lines and dynamic flowing compositions. Through the techniques of repetition, line, and negative space, the lines bring depth and movement to the surface infused with forms of Aramaic and Arabic calligraphy and arabesque.
I choose to work with black ink, for its timeless elegance. It also provides an infinite space to contemplate and to inspire! My goal is to illuminate harmony and oneness of the parts while creating the whole.
GLD: What inspires you to create your art?
RF: It’s hard to contain what inspires me! Overall, I’m very influenced by my personal growth, social issues, and beauty. Also, traveling and immersing myself in new cultures energizes me to create.
GLD: Which artist or art movement influences you as an artist?
RF: Many artists from various art movements influence me. Among those are Klimt, Monet, and Matisse. I’ve also been influenced by my mentor, Jamil Hamoudi, an international artist and Iraqi pioneer.
I must also admit that listening to classical music guides my working process. Almost all of my pieces can be attributed to Chopin, Rachmaninoff, and many other composers.
“I create with bold lines and dynamic flowing compositions. Through the techniques of repetition, line, and negative space, the lines bring depth and movement to the surface infused with forms of Aramaic and Arabic calligraphy and arabesque.”
-Rua Francis, Detroit-based artist
GLD: Your bio says you are also a fashion illustrator. Can you tell us what is a fashion illustrator and what type of fashion illustrations do you create?
RF: In fashion illustration, we communicate design and ideas in an artistic form. It can be anything from illustrating live at a runway show to sketching garments or fashion products.
I sketch and paint with watercolors, pencil, and ink. I currently illustrate iconic perfume bottles and fashion accessories. The illustration is my carefree playful outlet where I explore design and iconic themes with a pop of color!
“Femme No. 1” by Rua Francis
Femme No.1 is “inspired by the working women of ancient and rural Mesopotamia, farming and gathering food while taking care of their families and village all along. This is a dedication to all the hardworking and strong women, mothers, daughters, sisters and friends where ever they are”. This piece is embellished with calligraphy and letters that make up the word ‘Woman’ in Aramaic and Arabic.” -Rua Francis
Rua Francis Presents “This is Not Art: All That We Seek, Simply Arts Within”
Rua Francis will feature her brilliant artwork at the annual fine art fair ART on the GRAND in Downtown Farmington, Michigan, June 3 – 4, 2017. Francis invites art enthusiasts to her art showcase “This is Not Art: All That We Seek, Simply Arts Within”. She encourages viewers to explore the illusion of art and how it is perceived.
“We tend to look for objects of obsession for the sake of fulfillment or joy” Francis explained. “Often times we seek objects that represent these desires externally meanwhile all that we seek simply arts within. Meaning, if we look inward, we find all that we ever need or seek.”
If you would like to view Rua’s artwork, she will be at Booth No. 33 on both days of the art fair. Stop by and say hi or purchase an art piece by Rua to add to your art collection!
ART on the GRAND is a two-day fine art fair held annually in Downtown Farmington, Michigan. The art fair features various artists from across the country! Admission is FREE for the art fair and it is a family-friendly event for all. For more information about ART on the GRAND, visit their official website.
If you would like to reach out to Rua Francis or inquire about her artwork, here is her contact information:
Email: rua_francis@hotmail.com
Website: www.ruafrancis.com
Instagram: rua_francis
Facebook: Ruaatelier
Special thanks to Rua Francis for taking the time to answer interview questions about her art!
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Rua’s work is beautiful! I love watching artists in process of working on their pieces. It’s really fascinating to watch and hear about their whole creative process. I love how she incorporates her culture and music into her art. Excellent interview.
Wow. Great interview. I love art, and illustration is my favorite right now. Rau. I’m going to check out the Islamic art types she discusses. Thanks for sharing!
What a great interview, and wonderful business she has. I’ve always been interested in paper and writing mediums (one of the reasons I love calligraphy so much) and she combines the two seamlessly! I love her art as well!
Wow her artwork is amazing. She is super talented. I love that it is simple but so intricate.
Her work is beautiful. My son is an artist and this reminds me that I should help cultivate his gifts!
Great interview! I love her illustrations, they are beautiful!
Beautiful art helps free the soul. Looking and interpreting it from your own perspective gives new life to each artistic piece.
Well said, Elle! This is how I feel about writing.
Her work is amazing. I’ll definitely check out her stuff for some pieces for my children.
Kita, Rua’s art is for adults, too! 🙂
I love her art style. I love her art style. It is so unique. I have not seen any thing like it until now. Thanks for sharing your interview with Rua Francis. I am sure many people were also amazed at her work at the exhibit.
Her artwork is very pretty. I’ve never seen anything like it so it’s unique as well!
Gorgeous, I love seeing different artist work and hers is amazing!
It’s so cool to get to know new artist. Looks like she does great work.
She does really great work. I think art is my worst area but I can appreciate others.
I think making a living doing something you love would be amazing. Kudos to those who can, especially when it’s in the arts!
I love her work! As she stated about her lines, they are dynamic and flowing, which is the best part! I feel like the two are contradictory but she pulls it off well.
I studied fine art in undergraduate school and could never find a way to make a career out of it. I ended up changing directions in grad school. It always makes me happy to see an artist doing what they love AND making a living out of it.
YES! I love hearing about artists who are sharing their work with the world. It is truly inspiring to me. Thank you, Chelsea!
I love her work, I love how she plays with lines a lot in her drawings. I always get inspired hearing about different creatives thought process!!
Great interview!!
https://www.autumlove.com/blog
Thank you, Autum! I love her art, too. 🙂