Franchesa Kirkpatrick shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Franchesa, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
I lose track of time preparing myself for storytelling, poetry and art projects. I find myself again when I complete those tasks.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Franchesa Kirkpatrick. I’m a creator of multimedia art, what some people might call a Renaissance woman. When creating, I use travel and local meetup experiences and daily life lessons to formulate my bodies of work. One thing that makes me special is my handmade books. I use poetry and storytelling and repurposed items to create books that bring joy to all ages.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
When we moved to Nashville, TN, even though I was very young, my world began to be shaped by music artists and other people who were doing creative work. Filmmakers, visual artists, gallery owners, music producers and singers were people I found myself surrounded by. Learning from these examples, I have never limited myself to only one kind of art. I feel that we as humans can be creative in many, many ways.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell her that it’s okay to be yourself no matter the circumstances. You can’t choose the family that you are born into and the friends that surround you may become more like family. Many times you will be rejected and left to think for yourself. You are strong and you are not alone. There are fellow artists and creators in your path. They will come along when you least expect it, so stay open to the magic of impossible dreams.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I believe that Art is for everyone. I am disabled and I am an artist. No one need miss out on the opportunity to practice art and to be a creator, no matter their economic circumstances or intellectual or functional abilities. I have been involved as a participant, contributor or volunteer in many inclusive artistic projects and movements. Even struggling with many health issues of my own, I will never give up on the cause of making art accessible for everyone.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people tell the story that although I had disabilities and health challenges, through resilience and perseverance, I made a difference in their world by sharing my stories and travels and my art and poetry. Some short films exist on different media (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram) that contain some of my acting, my poetry and glimpses into some of the travels I have taken. Most will remember me as an artist who shined a light so that others could also shine once they reached their goals. I will always be a star, shining beside them, reminding them that they can do anything.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Franchesapic
- Youtube: FranchesaVideos
Image Credits
All photos taken by me, Franchesa Kirkpatrick.
