Six Samples of Fran Sisco’s art work (scroll down for Art Show at Upright Exhibition Space)
The following 11 paintings of Fran Sisco were exhibited at “Upfront Exhibition Space” (31 Jersey Avenue, Port Jervis, NY 12771 for the months of September and October 2022, with the reception on Sunday 9/18/22 at 1pm to 6pm
$5,000-24″ X 24″
$5,000 – 36″ x 24#
$2,500 – “36 X 24”
$5,000 – “40”W x 30″H
$5,000 – 36″H x 24″W
$10,000 – 36″H x 24″W
$2,500 – $36″H x 24″W
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(Fran Sisco’s work continued)
Fran Sisco – My Artistic Mission Statement –
“To cast out my true self, artistically and freely, and then grow from people’s engagement and collaboration. Social justice. Social change. Identity. Authenticity. Relationships. Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. Spirituality. Personal Truth.” (This was developed during an art course with Stacy Miller at the Pelham Art Center in 2020)
Fran Sisco – My Artist Statement –
As a Visual Artist, I draw from creative techniques and strategies and art forms that I’ve developed as a multi-faceted artist in fields of writing (e.g. plays, stories, essays, non-fiction, songs, poetry, comedy, sketches, etc.), filmmaking, performance (e.g. stand-up comedy, acting, spoken word, singing, music), motivational talks, inventing, and radio hosting and interviews. With respect to visual art, I use acrylic paintings and sculptures to try to explain concepts with which I am wrestling (such as personal confusion about gender, coping with change, getting through crisis, dealing with people and their differences, etc), in my quest for understanding, personal growth, and a better fit with the world around me, ultimately to be happier and true to my core self. I’m driven to do this not only to communicate ideas and art to others who may benefit, but mainly for myself because of three factors: (1) the actual process of creating helps me work things out about my life (2) the finished product helps me to analyze, reflect and remember, and to connect in new and improved ways with those around me and (3) one form of artistic expression affects the other forms such as filmmaking, writing (e.g. plays, essays, songs, poems), performances, inventions, acting, etc. Several pieces have dramatically affected my songwriting, my entertainment performances, poetry, and playwriting, especially regarding two of my plays “Once a Boy” and “It’s an Italian Thing! No, It’s a Black Thing” and quite frankly, have increased my interaction and love of others around me.
Concerning, style and methods in my paintings and sculptures, I often strive to use simplicity and efficiency. I love the speed of acrylic and vibrancy of colors. I favor simple more natural approaches for wood sculptures, opting for zip-ties over nails and screws, and spending more time finding the right materials. When someone views my piece, one of my hopes is that they think they could have done the piece, had they had the idea. A second hope is that the piece triggers better understanding of an issue and possibly positive change. I often strive to use simplicity and efficiency in the methods of my paintings and sculptures. I love the speed of acrylic and vibrancy of colors. I favor simple more natural approaches for wood sculptures, opting for zip-ties over nails and screws, and spending more time finding the right materials.
From a very young age, I have used art to get in touch with my heart, and those around me. Drawing and painting, often original designs. Poetry and songwriting classes. Learning about style in essay writing as a columnist and published poet. Improving as a playwright through workshops and collaboration and actual performances. Award-winning filmmaking after decades of videography. The biggest burst of creativity in visual arts, including many exhibits and shows, happened since my gender transition on 1/1/11 and continues to burgeon, especially as I experience its interactive relationship with other art forms, and the positive effect on my own personal growth and happiness and that of others.
Interrelationship – Here are four examples of this tie-in that happens from my sculptures and acrylic paintings.
(1) “The Blessing of Trans Unicorns” is a large painted wood sculpture that helped me to see the growing and unsteadiness of the transgender movement, yet its beauty and unity, by using three types of young animals (zebras, deer and giraffe), painted with the trans colors of white, soft pink and baby blue. Despite the unsteadiness and frailty, I saw the beauty and commonality and strength in unity of three “beings.”. The large size 7 feet high by 12 feet wide facilitated an extra level of attention, when inside and when outside.
(2) “Transition” is my acrylic painting (24″ wide by 36″ tall) , which has helped me deal with two concurrent significant changes in my life, both which have heightened my passion for life and my creativity. The first change is from being predominantly left-brain-focused (analytical thinking, linear, past and present oriented) to predominantly right-brain focused (lateral thinking, unstructured, future oriented). Secondly, is my transition from male to female. The aspects of conceiving and doing the painting and exhibiting and then discussing it in personal or group meetings (in-person and virtually) have worked together to allow me to see breathtaking dimensions of this gender transition that I would have easily missed without the art.
(3) “Freedom in Unity” is the third example. It is an acrylic painting, which was born from trying to understand the upheaval in society in the last two years, especially concerning race and the millions crying out for more just, fair and kind treatment. The painting (24″ wide by 36″ tall) depicts jails that had been attacked to allow the inhabitant(s) to be free, while the scene is looked upon by a benevolent sun and majestic mountains.
(4) “Trans-formation” is my steel sculpture that appears very different from different angles, as a way to express the idea that we all have many sides to each of us, and these sides show up differently at different times and with different people. This multi-expressiveness is especially true for transgender people.
Art calendar
Upcoming Art Exhibits –
Currently through 2/__/23 – on Rockland Arts Festival virtual art – On homepage on http://www.RocklandArtsFestival.org
6/17/23 – Pangea Nightclub and Restaurant – (178 Second Avenue, at _, NY, NY Several of my paintings will be the subject of monologues and dialogues in an interesting show called “Trans Fran Sisco – The Ultimate Variety Show”
Prior Art Exhibits –
6. Sunday 9/1 – 10/31/22 – at Upfront Exhibition Space (beautiful and well established art gallery) at 31 Jersey Ave. Port Jervis, NY) – Several of Fran Sisco’s art pieces (including paintings and 3 large wood sculptures) will be on display and for sale. The reception is on Sunday 9/17/22 from __?__am to __?__ pm. Contact Fran Sisco at FrancisSisco@aol.com for more info, or the Gallery Manager Gordon Graff at 845.754.1808 or gordon31jersey@gmail.com.
Page 1 of 8-page program for the Art Show at the Upfront Exhibition Space (reception on Sunday 9/18/22, from 1 to 5pm)
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#3 – “Transition” – $10,000
Acrylic painting – 24” W x 36”H
Artist’s statement – Transition is part of all our lives and should be embraced. This acrylic abstract piece was created by Fran Sisco to explain visually her concurrent transitions: (1) from male to female and (2) from left-brain focused (analytical and structured) to right-brain focused (creative and intuitive). The art uses images to show these transitions, with her world going from a confused ooze in the valley, then in a flow from the left side (standardized, organized, boxy), up toward the top with her world becoming upside down, and then down the right side (spiritual, passionate, sensitive), while in the middle is the display of male on one side of a curved door to female on the other side, with the female persona getting enlarged. Celebrate your transitions! This painting (and “Transcarnation” were discussed at a group presentation (called “The Art of Being Trans”) at the Pelham Art Center (Pelham, NY) on 6/15/22.
#8 – “One Night in September 1989” – $10,000
Acrylic painting – 24” W x 36”H
Artist statement – As submitted on 5/21/21 for a National AARP Virtual Exhibition called “Forever Young” at IslipArtMuseum.org and on IslipArtsLive on youtube.com – My painting called “One Night in September 1989” stirs youthful feelings of my relationship with my creative daughter Kelly. One night in September when she was five, we laid on our living room floor, and using colored pencils we drew a fun design on a large piece of cardboard. In 2018 when Kelly was 34, I found it in my backyard shed, had it imaged onto canvas, and I painted over our design, matching it, bringing back our youth. Here is the link to the Forever Young video, with this piece at the time code 12:40 through 13:11 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKeHY71gjb0
#11 – “The Baseball Bat” – $10,000 –
Acrylic painting – 24” W x 36”H
Artist statement: The acrylic painting called “The Baseball Bat” advocates for an anti-violence approach to dealing with serious crime, helped by prayer.
Special statement in connection with the New Rochelle Council On the Arts exhibit in 10/21 called “Turning a New Leaf – In Pursuit of Your Muse” – Pursuing one’s muse can be a lifelong process, and can include upsets. My muse involves creativity in many forms and also personal authenticity. On 1/1/11, I transitioned to living my life as a full-time female, which was a lifelong dream going back to age 10, and possibly before that. This painting depicts an interruption of that dream at age 30 when a stranger in my store hit me over my head with a baseball bat three times, fracturing my skull in 14 places and nearly killing me. This led to my trying to avenge myself by finding him and then killing him with a knife. Thankfully, my deep prayers (at the steering wheel of my car on the street where I envisioned meeting him again) enabled me to open my heart to forgiveness and I gave up my plan to avenge, and instead to more fervently pursue my dreams. Once transitioned, I experienced an incredible burst of creative and authentic projects. This painting and an explanatory video has been included in exhibits for the Westcop Crime Victims Assistance Bureau. The below youtube link is for a 30-second narration and view of close-ups of the painting and Fran Sisco in 4 minutes telling an abbreviated story of her brush with a hate crime for 4 minutes 34 seconds In the following video clip . https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1vftN926Ac&t=204s
#4 – “Perspective” – $5,000
Acrylic painting – 40” W x 30”H
Artist’s statement: “Perspective” is a painting in which I tried to capture the universality that emanates from the particularity of a commonplace scene – in this case a piano in the corner of a living room, and the many inferences that could be drawn from the detail. In addition, I experimented with additional insights that could be gained from “tilting” the perspective of part of the scene, in this case showing the sliding door as if it wrapped further away from the scene instead of closer into the scene. Was it to push away the nature that is existing outside door or to pull it in by presenting a tilted perspective that catches attention? Perhaps, the concepts of music, creativity and life enjoyment of family that are shown in the scene are tied to archetypal elements of nature or maybe in ways not fuller understood or apparent to us?
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Page 3 of 8-page program
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#9 – “The Luck Tree” – $5,000
Acrylic painting – 24” W x 36”H
Artist Statement – The painting is of the Luck Tree in my front yard. The painting was exhibited at the Bronxville Public Library for inclusion in the “Speeder (over 55)” art show with an open reception on Sunday 9/23/18 through 10/27/18 and in several other exhibits since then. The origin of the object of the painting, namely The Luck Tree, happened in order to memorialize the “sculpture” – namely the dead tree limbs (painted alternately white and black) that have been rested upright against the large tree since about 2018. The initial placement of limbs occurred as a way to test my concept that the dead can inform and help the living (as happens often in my own life when I often feel the presence of my deceased family members, including mother, father, brother, and maternal grandmother Nonnie). I understand from research that wood is considered sacred by the Cherokee and perhaps other Native American tribes. I postulated that the spirit of the leaned limbs would bring alive the dying tree, and also bring luck to the owner of the property. It has turned out that the tree has come back to life and is currently flourishing. Furthermore, I believe The Luck Tree may be one of the reasons I have been the recent beneficiary of such abundant luck and success in the last few years.
#10– “Freedom in Unity” – $5,000
Acrylic painting – 40” W x 30”H
Artist’s statement – The painting called “Freedom in Unity” advocates for freedom, and that it often takes group action, working together to free people from the “jails” they find themselves in, regardless of the beauty of other things around them. Additionally, Personal Statements by Fran Sisco for the painting “Freedom in Unity.” (with submission to Arts Westchester in 3/21, and to the New Rochelle Council on the Arts. The acrylic painting advocates for freedom and for unity, because it often takes group action, working together in a unified way, to free people from the “jails” they find themselves in, despite the beauty of other things around them. In this case, the surrounding beauty is a natural pastoral scene including a cloudless blue sky, bright sun casting beams, verdant meadow, and prairie and “purple mountains majesty, yet the landscape is dotted with jails, imprisoning some. The jails may represent a feeling of confinement to certain physical locations, or norms, or ways of being and behavior, like brought about by the Pandemic or even of attitudes and prejudices brought about by the concurrent civil unrest. While the Pandemic’s imposition of confinement was disturbing for some people, there was an awakening about the confinement that certain social and racial injustices had been levied on people, unfairly. In this painting, the jails are made of tree branches and have evidence of breakage, with the inhabitants either having escaped or were set free. The burgeoning feelings of hope and positive change amid the Pandemic are partly brought about by vaccines, but also stem from resilience and unified hope, faith and promise, and the anticipation for social changes. Positivity, optimism, silver linings, a Grand Awakening. The next step for me is a wood sculpture of this image. Perhaps it gets placed in a large beautiful park in the middle of a bustling healthier world of hopeful people, or in a setting that is just the opposite.
#12– “When They Come” – $5,000
Acrylic painting – 24” W x 36”H
Artist Statement – The painting depicts various threats and whether we are prepared, and whether we can overcome the threats. Does it matter the color of our skin, our gender or sexuality, whether we are abled or not, young or old? Or blends of these? Will we smile when “they” come, confident that God or some grand benevolent spirit bolsters our strength so that we get through the challenge. Let us pray.
This painting was included in the exhibit at Westchester Victims Services (WestCop) from 4/24/22 through 4/30/22 (co-incidentally right after my daughter Kelly’s 4/22 birthday, including mine on 4/26, and ending on my father’s birthday, and also the birthday of a very good friend Tym Moss). Kelly’s painting (“Everything Grows Differently” and a video of her dancing will be in the exhibit. Very fortunately I had 3 paintings, 2 photos of sculptures and 2 short videos. The paintings are: (1) “When They Come” (2) “The Baseball Bat” (3) “Freedom In Unity”
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#14– “Rubber Soul Redo” – $5,000
Artist Statement – The painting called “Rubber Soul Redo” captures fragments from each song on the album and strings the fragments together to form a new song or song idea. The painting also features the “rubber sole” of shoes, sneaker, and sandal as a tongue-in-cheek reference to “rubber soul.” My painting is a reimagining of the original album cover, but in my case I did the following: (1) displayed a verse from each of the 14 songs in a “lyrical string” (2) did a tongue-in-cheek representation of 4 “rubber soles” on the underside of a sandal, a Sketchers loafer, a brown shoe and a hi-top black sneaker (3) depicted the 4 Beatles at the center similar to how they were shown on the small brochure included in the original album jacket. This painting was shown on the stage with the band “Abbey Soul” at a performance at Carmine’s Cafe and Deli on 8/27/22 as shown in a video and photos posted on Facebook under Francis Sisco. About the lyrics of the songs in the fragments on the painting, when strung together, the lyrics that are created are as follows: (referenced to the numbered songs on the painting): “(1) Asked a girl what she wanted to be… (2) She asked me to stay and she told me to sit anywhere…(3) I want to say. I don’t have much to say (Ooh, la la, la). And you won’t see me………(4) Doesn’t have a point of view. Knows not where he’s going to…. (5) Do what you want to do. And go where you’re going to….(6) Have you heard the word is love? It’s so fine. It’s sunshine……(7) That’s all I want to say. Until I find a way, I will say the only words I know you’ll understand…..( 8) What goes on in your heart. What goes on in your mind….(9) When I think of all the times I’ve tried so hard to leave here…..(10) Why tell me why, did you not treat me right?…(11) And these memories lose their meaning, when I think of love as something new…(12) It’s been a long time, now I’m coming back home….(3) If I needed someone to love, you’re the one I’d be thinking of….(14) Let this be a sermon. I mean everything I’ve said.”
#5– “The Soul” – $2,500
Acrylic painting – 24” W x 36”H
Artist’s statement: The painting called “The Soul” showcases a diversity of colors, shapes and relationships that may be presented in one’s life, influencing a heightened expression of love for life and fulfillment of the soul (e.g. emotions of joy, sorrow, ascension, fluidity, organization, vivid, stark, background), in effect the magnificence of the soul. It has been exhibited in several galleries, centers, and organizations, often triggering discussion about the soul.
#6– “Silver Linings – $2,500
Artist’s statement -The painting called “Silver Linings is a 30″ x 40” A conveys multiple messages, including (1) life has many paths, some perplexing and some traditional, some old and some new, offering choices (e.g. signified by the funnels, tunnels, doors and forks in the road) (2) light is provided by multiple sources and (3) when there are clouds or rain or rocky times, there are always “silver linings” (e.g. shown as rays coming from the three heavenly bodies and from the clouds, and possibly by the flowers growing and the new buildings) that often are not realized until much later. Generally, the onlooker is happy by what they see.
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Page 5 of 8-page program
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#7– “Transcarnation” – $2,500
Acrylic painting – 24” W x 36”H
Artist’s statement: “Transcarnation” is a painting created by Fran Sisco that uses the transgender colors of soft pink, baby blue and white to illustrate an aspect of her being a transgender woman. She feels as if she is “reincarnated” as a new person with an interesting blend of masculine (blue) and feminine (pink) and in-between (white). Furthermore, she feels that her self-respect enables her to stand tall in a field of other carnations, shown here split mostly male on the left and female on the right with a few crossovers. Fran hopes her piece is a positive message for viewers to see that it is okay to express your true self. This painting (and “Transitions” were discussed at a group presentation (called “The Art of Being Trans”) at the Pelham Art Center (Pelham, NY) on 6/15/22.
SCULPTURES –
“Binary 1” – $1,250 (Painted wood branches of trees)
Wood sculpture – About 7’ H X 5’ W –
Artist statement – This four-legged wood sculpture uses a simple design and process to create an impression that is clear in its statement of Binary – two aspects clearly conveyed, as in this case black and white. The design is often used by myself for several reasons of utility and value: (1) simplicity in that 4 branches can be painted and affixed using zip ties and create an impression with minimal effort (2) cost-effectiveness because often dead and forsaken branches are used having little or no cost (3) easily lends itself to public outdoor art, and withstands the elements because of its sturdiness of design, the 4 legs firmly plant the distributed weight, and wind blows right through the sculpture with little flat surface for resistance (4) the structure is easily transportable, either as disassembled or sometimes even assembled and “folded.” I have created many designs, sometimes using 2 or 3 units standing together, or various configurations, and have generally received praise for their visual appeal. Such sculptures in their configurations and their paint can easily convey different ideas, some that foster social change. In this case, Binary 1 seeks to bring attention to “binary” which in the artist’s point of view is a dangerous way of thinking that does not allow sufficiently for diversity, equity, and inclusion. As a result, this sculpture might lead to productive discussion and perhaps healthy personal growth.
“Transformation” – $2,500 (Painted steel ribbon, on a black steel base)
Steel-ribbon sculpture – 31” H X 30” W, steel ribbon 2.5” wide, 0.25” thick
Artist Statement – This steel sculpture is designed to represent the transgender community (e.g. by the transgender colors of white, light pink and baby blue). Its unique design and inherent fluidity appear quite different from the different angles (as per the website), which is similar to how people in general, and trans people in particular, can look quite different from different perspectives. The design of the objects on the surface is intended to appear important in its sections and as a total, interrelated, and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Because of the time-consuming procedure of fabrication and costliness of the steel, the price has been increased to $2,500 in July 2022 and likely to increase again soon.
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Fran Sisco’s family and friends for Upfront Exhibition Space show
F-1 – Eleanor Sisco (1/30/28 – 8/30/14) -“Sneakers” – (approx. 12″ H X 16″ W) – $7,500
Eleanor Sisco (Fran Sisco’s mother) was a lifelong creative who actively expressed herself with crafts, decorating, fashion and painting and drawing. In this acrylic painting called Sneakers, notice the attention to detail, especially in the shading of the laces. This work has appeared in several exhibits over the years. For more info, please contact Fran via email at FrancisSisco@aol.com.
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F-2 – Eleanor Sisco – (1/30/28 – 8/30/14) -“House with walk” (approx. 12″ W X 16″H) – $7,500
Eleanor Sisco (Fran Sisco’s mother) was a lifelong creative who actively expressed herself with crafts, decorating, fashion and painting and drawing. In this acrylic painting called “House with Walk”, please notice the attention to detail, especially in the shading of the laces. This work has appeared in several exhibits over the years. For more info, please contact Fran via email at FrancisSisco@aol.com.
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F-3 – Robert Sisco – (3/12/52 – 1/19/04) – “Standing woman” – (18″W x 24″H) – $7,500
Robert Sisco, my (Fran Sisco) brother, made several large charcoals on paper (18″W x 24″H). After he died on 1/19/04, I found them in my parents’ house or in his apartment in Alphabet City, NYC. I took 4 of them and mounted them on cardboard inside large black frames, and have exhibited several places. In addition to the one depicted here, there are the following that show (1) a man saying hello (or goodbye) to another man in the distance (2) a man with an upright left hand and (3) a person in a yoga position. Besides the charcoals, there are many (over 20) large pencil sketches (most are over 24 x 36″ and several smaller ones. It is my ambition to one day paint them, or images of them, or exhibit his works as a complete collection in a gallery or museum.
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F-4 – Kelly Sisco – “Everything Grows Differently” – Marker on Canvas – (approx. 12″ W x 18″ H) – $1,250
Quoted from Kelly Sisco’s website – “My piece was done with marker on canvas. I was inspired by a friend’s photograph when I worked on this piece but this piece took on a different turn. I put my own spin on this piece and it came out differently than the photograph. My piece is of a sunflower that is oddly shaped and has wild over-growing leaves. All sunflowers or flowers look different and they grow in their own way. Just like people all look different and grow in their own ways. During this pandemic we all have had our own experiences and most of us have grown from those experiences. When life brings upon challenges, you can either rise to the occasion and make the best of it and come out of it better for having been through it, or fall down. The sunflower that I have created keeps blooming with a great amount of leaves showing that when this pandemic is over we will have come out stronger for having gone through it. Just like this flower keeps on growing, we too can keep growing and not let life bring us down. It’s easy to let things in life stop us from moving forward but it takes strength to keep pushing on despite the difficult times. My sunflower does not stop growing, just like we should not stop growing when faced with challenges. With love and care from others around us, we as humans, flowers and all living things can grow and probably will grow even more with that extra love and care and during this pandemic I have seen more people helping and caring about others that they might not have if we were not going through this challenging time. My flower will not let anything get in the way of it staying alive, and we can be just like that flower and have that same strength by being among nature, experiencing that sunlight and helping each other grow.
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F-5 -Kelly Sisco – “It Only Can Be Said in Comics” – Mixed Media Collage (approx 20″ H X 26″W) – $1,250
Quoted from Kelly Sisco “I made this artwork when it was snowing outside because I get bored in the house. I decided to use marker on canvas. I made a cartoon picture with different cartoon words, of my choice, written in the famous bubbles that you see in cartoons and comic books. I completed my artwork in 3 and a half hours and that was fast. I was inspired by the new trend of “geek” style designs that uses cartoon drawings and symbols to make a wild look.” Additional comment per “SiscoCreativity.com – “My art piece called “It Only Can Be Said in the Comics” once looked different (as photo on that web page) but that version got pretty badly destroyed so I was determined to fix it and I was hoping I could create something even better. Well, at first it was not looking good. When I was fixing it, the marker was not covering up the messed up spots, so I used acrylic paints but the whole piece started looked too dark. But, that is when I had an idea. I decided to use neon labels and place them throughout my piece, and now my painting pops and I think it’s out of this world. I accomplished creating something even better than the original. But, both versions have their own uniqueness and I had to show both photos of them (on SiscoCreativity.com). It’s okay when your artwork keeps evolving and changing. This re-do took longer than the first one had taken to complete.”
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F-6 – Kelly Sisco – “Hugs and Kisses” – Mixed media collage, (approx 24″ H X 36″ W) – $1,250
Artist Statement – This collage symbolizes: Nature, Animals, Fashion, LGBT (with the rainbows). The background looks like rain with the water effect and there are images of sweet pretty-looking candy.
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F-7 – Alvaro Garcia Ordonez – “Spray 1” – Mixed media, 16″W x 20″H (NY 2020) – $6,000
As per his website at http://www.enagua-inwater.com – Alvaro Garcia Ordonez’s interest in art began in the great house of his grandfather Isidor Ordonez in the village of Coyabo in Colombia. There he began to play with coals, read Edgar Allan Poe, and listen to classical music such as Paganini and Igor Stravinsky among others. His Aunt Ordonez, matron and promoter of education in the town he grew up in, was the first to buy him his first paintbrushes and oils in Bogota when the school year began. His family taught him to study what he loved and follow his passions. Eventually, Alvaro was accepted into the National University of Colombia, in Bogota, and the rest is history. His current project, “In Water,” has led him across international borders, seas, lakes, and rivers. Alvaro currently lives near the Hudson River in New York, which is one of his sources of inspiration.
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F-8 – Kathleen Edwards – “Seven Stars” – Ink drawing – (18″W x 24″H) – $2,500
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F-9 – Tony Aversano – “Blood Moon” – Acrylic Painting – (approx 16″W X 20″H) – $2,500
Tony Aversano has been drawing and painting for many years, and for over 30 years has lived in Stamford, CT, where is located his retail business that he has built over 30 years with the help of his spouse. “My semi abstract interpretation of a night winter forest that is lit by the rare blood moon.”
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Other prior exhibits:
The Art of Being Trans and DEI – St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Ridgefied, NJ
The Art of Being Trans – Pelham Art Center, Pelham, NJ.
Was not selected – “Turning A New Leaf” – My “The Baseball Bat” was not selected in the NRCA exhibit although my daughter Kelly Sisco was for her “Everything Grows Differently.”
Was not selected – “Juneteenth – A Narrative of Freedom” – (from Call for Entries) that celebrates freedom delayed in a divided country – the North and the South – similar to the fracture we are currently experiencing. The threm is not solely about injustice, but also about looking forward to a future of possibilities.“Arts Westchester Spring Exhibition” – Music video “Our Friend Wendy, It’s Her Birthday!” – the video will be playing in an endless loop in the Gallery of ArtsWestchester in their beautiful building at 31 Mamaroneck Avenue, White Plains, NY 10601Westcop Victims Assistance Virtual Show and Community Banners – My painting “The Baseball Bat” and various photos depicting the crime scene and the silver lining of receiving a “wash” of forgiveness and positive energy, in the direct response to deep prayer. Video and audio of the story is available on facebook and youtube.
“Struggle” Exhibit – 2/15/21 to 4/16/21 -I am very glad to report that my new acrylic painting called “Freedom in Unity” has been accepted in the juried exhibition (selected from works from the tri-state area) called “Struggle” of the trio (1) New Rochelle Council on the Arts (2) The Lincoln Park Conservancy, Inc. and (3) Iona College Council of the Arts. An image of my 30″ X 40″ acrylic painting, along with my artist’s statement is below. Also below is a flyer with the live showing In the beautiful Rotunda Gallery at City Hall at 515 North Avenue in New Rochelle, NY) on dates of 2/15/21 to 4/16/21, and it will also be on youtube virtually. If you have questions, please feel free to call me or email me at FrancisSisco@aol.com for more detail.
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10/18/20 – “Nature Culture Sculpture” – 3 wood sculptures ( 1) “The Blessing of Trans Unicorns,” (2) “Two in Love,” and (3) “My Kelly” were exhibited, (to continue through 3/31/21) at the Pelham Art Center 155 Pelham, NY) , along with talks about the art by Fran Sisco and Executive Director Charlotte Mouquin, singing by Freddie Lando and Teri Lamar and Kelly Sisco, of covers and original songs, and poetry by members of the Poetry Caravan – Ruth Handel and Fran Sisco.
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Approx 6/20 – Virtual exhibit called “See Me” by New Rochelle Council on the Arts, in which I had one painting (Trans-carnation) and 2 sculptures (“The Blessing of Trans Unicorns” wood sculpture (28′ wide X 6′ hight) and “Trans-formation,” steel sculpture (36″ tall)
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Saturday 2/23/20, 12 noon to 4pm – At LaVie Galerie, Opening reception of art show called “All About Love” at 106 Naylon Avenue, Livingston, NJ (My work on display – Large wood sculpture called “Blessing of Trans Unicorns” and acrylic painting called “Perspective,” and 2 pieces of Kelly Sisco called “Razzle Dazzle” and “It Can Only Be Said in the Comics”
“Beaux Art Exhibit” at White Plains Woman’s Club, White Plains, NY on _______________ (Honorable mention ribbon award)
Churches including Gloria Church and St Paul’s Lutheran Church, New Milford, NJ on ______ and Teaneck NY on ________ and _________
New Rochelle Council on the Arts – shows at New Rochelle Public Library on ________ and _________ and _________
New Rochelle Rotunda at City Hall Art Exhibits on __________ and _________ and ________
New Rochelle Arts Fest and Fairs on ________ and __________ and _____
The LOFT LGBT Center, White Plains, NY on ____ and __________
ARC Westchester – on __________ and _________ and ____________
Bronxville Women’s Club, Bronxville, NY – Several events including ________ and _________ and _________ and __________
Senior 55+ “Speeder Art Show” at Bronxville Library Bronxville, NY- Several shows on 9/30/17 and _________ and _________
LaVie Galerie art exhibit – on _______ and __________ and __________
(A) Paintings by Fran Sisco
#14 – “Rubber Soul Redo”
By: Fran Sisco – Copyright 2021 Fran Sisco. (??) All rights reserved
Painting – Acrylic – 24″H x 24″ W)
Price – $5,000 for limited edition replica. Original – Not for sale.
Artist Statement – The acrylic painting called “Rubber Soul Redo” captures fragments from each song on the album and strings the fragments together to form a new song or song idea. The painting also features the “rubber sole” of shoes, sneaker, and sandal as a tongue-in-cheek reference to “rubber soul.” My painting is a reimagining of the original album cover, but in my case I did the following: (1) displayed a verse from each of the 14 songs in a “lyrical string” (2) did a tongue-in-cheek representation of 4 “rubber soles” on the underside of a sandal, a Sketchers loafer, a brown shoe and a hi-top black sneaker (3) depicted the 4 Beatles at the center similar to how they were shown on the small brochure included in the original album jacket. This painting was shown on the stage with the band “Abbey Soul” at a performance at Carmine’s Cafe and Deli on 8/27/22 as shown in a video and photos posted on Facebook under Francis Sisco. About the lyrics of the songs in the fragments on the painting, when strung together, the lyrics that are created are as follows: (referenced to the numbered songs on the painting): “(1) Asked a girl what she wanted to be… (2) She asked me to stay and she told me to sit anywhere…(3) I want to say. I don’t have much to say (Ooh, la la, la). And you won’t see me………(4) Doesn’t have a point of view. Knows not where he’s going to…. (5) Do what you want to do. And go where you’re going to….(6) Have you heard the word is love? It’s so fine. It’s sunshine……(7) That’s all I want to say. Until I find a way, I will say the only words I know you’ll understand…..(What goes on in your heart. What goes on in your mind….(9) When I think of all the times I’ve tried so hard to leave here…..(10) Why tell me why, did you not treat me right?…And these memories lose their meaning, when I think of love as something new…(12) It’s been a long time, now I’m coming back home….(3) If I needed someone to love, you’re the one I’d be thinking of….(14) Let this be a sermon. I mean everything I’ve said.”
Special note – Although this painting was submitted to representatives of Pelham Art Center for the Cover Lover Remix (Dick Burroughs), it was not accepted into the juried exhibit, possibly because it was felt that there wasn’t enough of the original album cover image in my interpretation for it to be a “remix.”(My daughter Kelly’s “One Prayer Away” was accepted into the juried exhibit.)
#13 – “My Dad on The Day He Got Married”
By Fran Sisco – Copyright 2022. All rights reserved.
Painting – (Acrylic – 36″ H x 24″ W) – Submitted to New Rochelle Council on the Arts for the exhibit “Tribute to Fathers,” with the reception on 6/18/22 at City Hall, New Rochelle, NY. Also entered into the Speeder 55+ exhibit for the Bronxville Seniors Center, with the reception on 10/2/22.
Price – Not for sale
Artist Statement – I based my painting on a photo I had from a family album that showed my father Frank Sisco (20 years old) on the day he married my mother Eleanor Felice (19 years old). The painting is deliberately simple, even sparse. I tried to capture my father’s elegant and commanding presence. In this imagined scene, he is at the drinks table about to order a drink for my mother while she is talking to family in the main room. To his left is a door to an adjacent room, that he will probably go through. And there will be thousands of other doors that will open to him over the next 60+ years, and of course many doors that will close. Through it all, my Dad enjoyed people and life to the fullest, and gave so very much of himself to others, including me throughout my life.
Here is the photo I painted from. You can see that my Dad was much younger and more handsome in the photo than I depicted in the painting.
#12 – “When They Come”
By: Fran Sisco – Copyright 2021 Fran Sisco. (??) All rights reserved
Painting – (Acrylic – 36″ H x 24″ W) – Submitted in 4/20/22 to Westcop Victims Assistance Exhibit
Price – $5,000 for limited edition replica. Original – Not for sale.
Artist Statement – The painting depicts various threats and whether we are prepared, and whether we can overcome the threats. Does it matter the color of our skin, our gender or sexuality, whether we are abled or not, young or old? Or blends of these? Will we smile when “they” come, confident that God or some grand benevolent spirit bolsters our strength so that we get through the challenge. Let us pray.
This painting was exhibited at Westchester Victims Services (WestCop) from 4/24/22 through 4/30/22 (co-incidentally right after my daughter Kelly’s 4/22 birthday, including mine on 4/26, and ending on my father’s birthday, and also the birthday of a very good friend Tym Moss). Kelly’s painting (“Everything Grows Differently” and a video of her dancing will be in the exhibit. Very fortunately I will had 3 paintings, 2 photos of sculptures and 2 short videos. The paintings are: (1) “When They Come” (2) “The Baseball Bat” (3) “Freedom In Unity”
#11 – “The Baseball Bat”
By: Fran Sisco – Copyright 2021 Fran Sisco. All rights reserved
Painting (Acrylic – 36″ H x 24″ W)
Price – $10,000 for limited edition replica. Original – Not for sale.
Selected by representatives of Westcop Victims Assistance Group (headed by Samantha ____)
Artist statement: Artist’s statement – The acrylic painting called “The Baseball” advocates for an anti-violence approach to dealing with serious crime, helped by prayer.
Special statement in connection with the New Rochelle Council On the Arts exhibit in 10/21 called “Turning a New Leaf – In Pursuit of Your Muse” – Pursuing one’s muse can be a lifelong process, and can include upsets. My muse involves creativity in many forms and also personal authenticity. On 1/1/11, I transitioned to living my life as a full-time female, which was a lifelong dream going back to age 10, and possibly before that. This painting depicts an interruption of that dream at age 30 when a stranger in my store hit me over my head with a baseball bat three times, fracturing my skull in 14 places and nearly killing me. This led to my trying to avenge myself by finding him and then killing him with a knife. Thankfully, my deep prayers (at the steering wheel of my car on the street where I envisioned meeting him again) enabled me to open my heart to forgiveness and I gave up my plan to avenge, and instead to more fervently pursue my dreams. Once transitioned, I experienced an incredible burst of creative and authentic projects.
Click on the below youtube link for a narration and view of close-ups of the painting and Fran Sisco in 4 minutes telling an abbreviated story of her brush with a hate crime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1vftN926Ac&t=204s
#10 – “Freedom in Unity”
By: Fran Sisco – Copyright 2020 Fran Sisco. All rights reserved
Painting (Acrylic – 30″ H x 40″ W)
Price – $5,000 for limited edition replica. Original – Not for sale.
Selected by jury for “Struggle” Exhibit in New Rochelle, NY (Live and virtual) 2/15/21 to 4/16/21
Artist statement: Artist’s statement – The acrylic painting called “Freedom in Unity” advocates for freedom, and that it often takes group action, working together to free people from the “jails” they find themselves in, regardless of the beauty of other things around them, in this case a natural pastoral scene including a cloudless blue sky, bright sun casting beams, verdant meadow and prairie and “purple mountains majesty.” The jails made of tree branches have evidence of breakage and the inhabitants either escaped or were set free. (81 words)
Personal Statement by Fran Sisco for the painting “Freedom in Unity.” (with submission to Arts Westchester in 3/21). The acrylic painting advocates for freedom and for unity, because it often takes group action, working together in a unified way, to free people from the “jails” they find themselves in, despite the beauty of other things around them. In this case, the surrounding beauty is a natural pastoral scene including a cloudless blue sky, bright sun casting beams, verdant meadow and prairie and “purple mountains majesty, yet the landscape is dotted with jails, imprisoning some. The jails may represent a feeling of confinement to certain physical locations, or norms, or ways of being and behavior, like brought about by the Pandemic or even of attitudes and prejudices brought about by the concurrent civil unrest. While the Pandemic’s imposition of confinement was disturbing for some people, there was an awakening about the confinement that certain social and racial injustices had been levied on people, unfairly. In this painting, the jails are made of tree branches and have evidence of breakage, with the inhabitants either having escaped or were set free. The burgeoning feelings of hope and positive change amid the Pandemic are partly brought about by vaccines, but also stem from resilience and unified hope, faith and promise, and the anticipation for social changes. Positivity, optimism, silver linings, a Grand Awakening. The next step for me is a wood sculpture of this image. Perhaps it gets placed in a large beautiful park in the middle of a bustling healthier world of hopeful people.
#9 – “The Luck Tree”
By: Fran Sisco – Copyright 2018 Fran Sisco. All rights reserved
Painting (Acrylic – 24″ x 36″)
Price – $5,000 for limited edition replica. Original – Not for sale.
Artist Statement – The acrylic painting called “ The Luck Tree,” is of the Luck Tree in my front yard. The painting was exhibited at the Bronxville Public Library for inclusion in the “Speeder (over 55)” art show with an open reception on Sunday 9/23/18 through 10/27/18 and in several other exhibits since then. The origin of the object of the painting, namely the Luck Tree, happened in order to memorialize the “sculpture” – namely the dead tree limbs (painted alternately white and back) that have been rested upright against the large tree since about 2018. The initial placement of limbs occurred as a way to test my concept that the dead can inform and help the living (as happens often in my own life when I often feel the presence of my deceased family members, including mother, father, brother and maternal grandmother Nonnie). I understand from research that wood is considered sacred by the Cherokee and perhaps other Native American tribes. I postulated that the spirit of the leaned limbs would bring alive the dying tree, and also bring luck to the owner of the property. It has turned out that the tree has come back to life and is currently flourishing. Furthermore, I believe The Luck Tree may be one of the reasons I have been the recent beneficiary of such abundant luck and success in the last few years.. For more info, please contact Fran Sisco via email at FrancisSisco@aol.com, or via facebook message st Francis Sisco, or via her website at www.TransFranSisco.com.
Price info:
(1) Original 24″ x 36″ (3/4 inch thick) without “Luck Guarantee”- Not for sale.
(2) Numbered 24” x “ 36” print-on-canvas (1.5 inches think) without “Luck Guarantee” – $1,350.
(3) Numbered 24” x “ 36” print-on-canvas (1.5 inches think) WITH “Luck Guarantee” – $1,700 The Luck Guarantee is that the buyer, if desires, will get a full refund within 30 days for the return (undamaged) of the item if the buyer does not believe that the piece brought “contagious luck” related to to luck experienced with a full-size actual Luck Tree. Background story is that according to certain customs, mainly Native American, and in particular – Cherokee, if the branches cut from a tree in not good health are removed or reused by leaning the branches (after painting and decorated) against the tree, then the tree will regain good health and significant luck will be bestowed (perhaps by nature) on the owners of the adjoining property.
Shown on Saturday 9/30/17 – At Bronxville Public Library
#8 – “One Night in September 1989”
By: Fran Sisco – Copyright 2018 Fran Sisco. All rights reserved
Painting (Acrylic – 24″ x 36″)
Price – $10,000 for limited edition replica. Original – Not for sale.
Note from Artist – This acrylic was made from a print-on-canvas of a drawing/painting made by Fran Sisco and Kelly Sisco on 9/20/1989 (when Kelly was 5 years old)
Artist statement – As submitted on 5/21/21 to for a Virtual Exhibition at IslipArtMuseum.org and on IslipArtsLive on youtube.com – My painting called “One Night in September 1989” stirs youthful feelings of my relationship with my creative daughter Kelly. One night in September when she was five, we laid on our living room floor, and using colored pencils we drew a fun design on a large piece of cardboard. Three years ago when Kelly was 34, I found it in my backyard shed, had it imaged onto canvas, and I painted over our design, matching it, bringing back our youth.
Note about video – THIS NATIONAL AARP ART EXHIBIT CALLED “FOREVER YOUNG” that I was lucky to be a part of. At time code 12:41 is a video of my discussing my painting “One Night in September 1989,” that started when my Kelly was 5 years old and culminated when she was 34. Listen to the story and see the painting!
#7 – “Transcarnation”
By: Fran Sisco (Date: 9/10/17) Copyright 2017 Fran Sisco. All rights reserved
Painting (Acrylic – 24″ x 36″)
Price – $2,500 for numbered replica. Original – Not for sale.
Artist’s statement: “Transcarnation” is an acrylic 24″ X 36″ painting created by Fran Sisco that uses the transgender colors of soft pink, baby blue and white to illustrate an aspect of her being a transgender woman. She feels as if she is “reincarnated” as a new person with an interesting blend of masculine (blue) and feminine (pink) and in-between (white). Furthermore, she feels that her self-respect enables her to stand tall in a field of other carnations, shown here split mostly male on the left and female on the right with a few crossovers. Fran hopes her piece is a positive message for viewers to see that it is okay to express your true self.
#6 – “Silver Linings”
By: Fran Sisco (Date: 3/31/17) Copyright 2017 Fran Sisco. All rights reserved
Painting (Acrylic – 30″ x 40″)
Price – $2,500 for numbered replica. Original – Not for sale.
Artist’s statement: “Silver Linings is a 30″ x 40” Acrylic painting that conveys multiple messages, including (1) life has many paths, some perplexing and some traditional, some old and some new, offering choices (e.g. signified by the funnels, tunnels, doors and forks in the road) (2) light is provided by multiple sources and (3) when there are clouds or rain or rocky times, there are always “silver linings” (e.g. shown as rays coming from the three heavenly bodies and from the clouds, and possibly by the flowers growing and the new buildings) that often are not realized until much later. Generally, the onlooker is happy by what they see.
#5 – “The Soul”
By: Fran Sisco (Date: 3/29/15) Copyright 2015 Fran Sisco. All rights reserved
Painting (Acrylic – 24″ x 36″)
Price – $2,500 for numbered replica. Original – Not for sale.
Artist’s statement: “The Soul” is a 24″ X 36″ acrylic painting that showcases a diversity of colors, shapes and relationships that may be presented in one’s life, influencing a heightened expression of love for life and fulfillment of the soul (e.g. emotions of joy, sorrow, ascension, fluidity, organization, vivid, stark, background), in effect the magnificence of the soul.
#4 – “Perspective”
By: Fran Sisco (Date: 3/15/15) Copyright 2015 Fran Sisco. All rights reserved
Painting (Acrylic – 30″ x 40″)
Price – $5,000 for numbered replica. Original – Not for sale.
Artist’s statement: “Perspective” is a 30″ X 40″” acrylic painting, in which I tried to capture the universality that emanates from the particularity of a commonplace scene – in this case a piano in the corner of a living room, and the many inferences that could be drawn from the detail. In addition, I experimented with additional insights that could be gained from “tilting” the perspective of part of the scene, in this case showing the sliding door as if it wrapped further away from the scene instead of closer into the scene. Was it to push away the nature existing outside door or to pull it in by presenting a tilted perspective that catches attention? Perhaps, the concepts of music, creativity and life enjoyment of family that are shown in the scene are tied to archetypal elements of nature or maybe in ways not fuller understood or apparent to us?
#3 – “Transition”
By: Fran Sisco (Date: 9/7/12) Copyright 2012 Fran Sisco. All rights reserved
Painting (Acrylic – 24″ x 36″)
Price – $10,000 for numbered replica. Original – Not for sale.
Artist’s statement – Transition is part of all our lives and should be embraced. This acrylic abstract piece was created by Fran Sisco to explain visually her concurrent transitions: (1) from male to female and (2) from left-brain focused (analytical and structured) to right-brain focused (creative and intuitive). The art uses images to show these transitions, with her world going from a confused ooze in the valley, then in a flow from the left side (standardized, organized, boxy), up toward the top with her world becoming upside down, and then down the right side (spiritual, passionate, sensitive), while in the middle is the display of male on one side of a curved door to female on the other side, with the female persona getting enlarged. Celebrate your transitions!
#2 – “All Kinds of People”
By: Fran Sisco (Date: circa 1975) Copyright 1975 Fran Sisco. All rights reserved
Collage – 30″ x 40″
Price – $5,000 for numbered replica. Original – Not for sale.
#1 – “Kelly”
By: Fran Sisco (Date: 4/29/85) Copyright 1985 Fran Sisco. All rights reserved
Watercolor/Ink
Price – $5,000 for numbered replica. Original – Not for sale.
Exhibit – Bronxville Seniors Speeder (55+) show at Bronxville Library in 10/19
(B) Sculptures
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(B1) -Wood sculptures by Fran Sisco
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SUMMARY (made 4/24/20) –
Wood sculpture called “Endangered Being #2 – installed around 12/2021
(at 8/31/22 the sculpture has been installed for about 3 months at the Pelham Art Center in the outdoor courtyard.)
Price – $5,000 (also available for rent)
Artist statement – My intention was to convey an animal that has adapted to its environment by becoming a blend of an elephant (with large size to protect itself and a long trunk to more easily feed itself) and the legs of tiger to be more nimble and an extra rear appendage for balance. Endangered Being #1 is a human.
Wood sculpture called “Justice” – Installed around 8/15/21
Artist’s note – The piece is called “Justice” as it seems that there is a scale of justice hanging horizontally between the “persons” at the center signified by one tall blue/white limb who is next to the shorter pink/white limb.
Wood sculpture called “Unity” – Installed around 8/15/20
Note – Above photo taken on Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY during the snow storm starting on February 1, 2021.
ART ALERT – Posting #1 – VIDEO – My large (12 feet tall) wood sculpture called “Unity” (as a tribute to the current efforts for peace and harmony) is nearly completed. There are four main “branches” of aspects of a person – (1) race – showing the 5 colors of red, yellow, black, white and brown (2) nature (natural physical components) as represented by brown (ground), green (grass, trees), blue/green (seas, rivers, oceans), blue (sky), white (clouds), and yellow (sun). (3) sexuality, gender, and gender expression as represented by the LGBTQ colors (Vivid Red (#FF0018), Deep Saffron (#FFA52C), Maximum Yellow (#FFFF41), Green (#008018), Blue (#0000F9) and Philippine Violet (#86007D).) and the Transgender colors (soft pink, baby blue and white) (4) spirituality, which is currently white and is yet to be painted to signify the more intangible spiritual-related aspects of a person (I hope to get drawings, sketches, and painting help in this part of the project). I am looking for churches and businesses that I can install replicas of this sculpture as a way to attract attention to the concept of Unity, as a way toward greater peace and harmony. Please email me your comments at FrancisSisco@aol.com xoxo Fran Sisco, posted 8/15/20
“Binary 1” –
(wood sculpture about 7′ high) – in black and white, unlighted
Copyright 2020 Fran Sisco (made around early 12/20)
Price – $1,250 (also available for rent)
Artist statement – This four-legged wood sculpture uses a simple design and process to create an impression that is clear in its statement of Binary – two aspects clearly conveyed, as in this case black and white. The design is often used by myself for several reasons of utility and value: (1) simplicity in that 4 branches can be painted and affixed using zip ties and create an impression with minimal effort (2) cost-effectiveness because often dead and forsaken branches are used having little or no cost (3) easily lends itself to public outdoor art, and withstands the elements because of its sturdiness of design, the 4 legs firmly plan the distributed weight, and wind blows right through the sculpture with little flat surface for resistance (4) the structure is easily transportable, either as disassembled or sometimes even assembled and “folded.” I have created many designs, sometimes using 2 or 3 units standing together, or various configurations, and have generally received praise for their visual appeal. Such sculptures in their configurations and their paint can easily convey different ideas, some that foster social change. In this case, Binary 1 seeks to bring attention to “binary” which in the artist’s point of view is a dangerous way of thinking that does not allow sufficiently for diversity, equity and inclusion. As a result, this sculpture might lead to productive discussion and perhaps healthy personal growth.
In winter –
Binary 2 –
(wood sculpture about 7′ high) – in black and white, lighted with white string lights
Copyright 2020 Fran Sisco (made around early 12/20)
“The Blessing of Trans Unicorns” –
By Fran Sisco – Cell 914.589.1013, http://www.TransFranSisco.com, Copyright 2019 Fran Sisco. All rights reserved.
“Blessing of Trans Unicorns” is a three-piece wood sculpture, designed and made by Fran Sisco, with dying branches cut from large trees on her property, that were assembled, tee-pee style, fastened at the top with simple zip ties.
Each piece has been painted with the transgender colors of soft pink, baby blue and white, and is said to resemble the thin unsteady legs of a young four-legged animal just getting on their feet, perhaps here as a giraffe, a deer and a zebra. So too, the trans movement is just getting on its feet, but the unity of three helps it along as it gathers strength and momentum. The term for a group of unicorns is not a team, tower, herd or pride but rather a “blessing.” Ironically this term is used by some as the state the trans person’s “magical” self-expression brings to those around him, her or them – a blessing!
On display from 10/2020 at the courtyard at the Pelham Art Center (155 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, NY 10803)
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Indoor display at White Plains Woman’s Club at the Beaux Arts Exhibit on _____________
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The above photo with a black background (done by close friend Kathrina Miccio, artist on 5/9/20)
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Outdoor display at Fran Sisco’s home at 30 Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804
“Charity Christmas Tree” –
Outdoor display at Fran Sisco’s home at 30 Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804
Lighted tree in December 2019 –
Unlighted tree in December 2019 –
“Two In Love” –
On display on 2/3/21 at the courtyard at the Pelham Art Center, 155 Fifth Ave., Pelham, NY 10803.
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Outdoor display at Fran Sisco’s home at 30 Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804
ART ALERT! – I completed Stage 1 of the newest Fran Sisco Wood Sculpture, this one is called “Two In Love” in honor of Valentines Day. Stage 2 will involve painting the limbs with Valentine colors of white, red, pink, lavender/purple. Stage 3 will involve a natural ornament on top, perhaps a wooden Cupid’s Arrow. Stage 4 will involve various ornamental designs on the limbs, and possibly lighting and other features. One white limb is reserved for lovers to write three words summarizing the attributes they most love about their sweetheart. When finished, the two-piece sculpture will be displayed at the beautiful and spacious LaVie Galerie LLC at 106 Naylon Avenue, in Livingston, NJ. The Opening Reception is Sunday, February 23rd from 12 – 4 pm. xoxo Fran Sisco, posted 2/2/20
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ART ALERT posted and updated 2/21/20 – Fran Sisco’s wood sculpture called “Two in Love – Valentine Unicorns” was installed at night on 2/16/20 on the front lawn at LaVie Galerie (106 Naylon Avenue, Livingston NJ) as part of the “ALL ABOUT LOVE” exhibit, with the reception at noon to 4pm on Sunday 2/23/20.
xoxo Fran Sisco (shown here with my daughter Kelly who has 2 pieces in the exhibit), reposted here on 2/21/20
Artist Statement (as edited by Lester Blum) – Fran Sisco’s wood sculpture called “Two in Love – Valentine Unicorns” illustrates the love of two people – next to each other, sharing the same space, having the same colors of love – lavender, pink, red, and white – in different designs and combinations. They rise together in hope, entwined at the top being held together simply by their love. Each unit has four legs representing the beautiful yet unsteady legs of a young unicorn but stabilized by the unity at the top thus not requiring any staking at the bottom.
If one carefully views each leg of one unit, one would see a parallel leg on the other unit. The artist believes that this geometric phenomenon endows the sculpture with an intrinsic beauty onto itself. The overall message is that two in love can be similar in appearance and thinking while at the same time being different thus creating a unity.
Physical info and price –
The construction is dead limbs of trees, painting with water-base high gloss Benjamin Moore paint, with plastic zip ties at the top. Extra effort was taken for repurposing and simplicity. The dimensions of the two sections making up the sculpture is approximately 8 feet wide X 6 feet tall. The sculpture is priced at $2,650. (Certain interested buyers may be able to “rent” the sculpture for a monthly fee of $450, depending on exposure.)
Contact info fo Fran Sisco, email contact FrancisSisco@aol.com
Artist webpage – https://transfransisco.wordpress.com/rb-paintings-and-scul…/
The premiere showing of this sculpture is at the beautiful LaVie Galerie, located at 106 Naylon Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039, with an opening reception on Sunday 2/23/20 from noon to 4pm.
In February 2020 (before painting with the love/valentine colors of pink, white, red and lavender
Original – before painting.
“My Kelly” –
Wood sculpture in various greens and designs, named for Fran Sisco’s daughter Kelly who is tall in self-esteem and intellect and talent but only 5′ tall, who is half -Irish (from her mother’s side) and thus identifies with green, and who is related to spring because of being born on April 22nd (which in 1984 also had the springtime double coincidence that year of being Earth Day and being Easter, perhaps the most important day on the calendar.>
On display at the Pelham Art Center (155 Fifth Avenue, Pelham, NY 10803
On display at Fran’s home at 30 Mill Road, New Rochelle, NY 10804
“The Luck Tree” – (as a sculpture)
B. Steel sculptures
“Transformation” – $2,500
31″ H x 30″ W, with steel ribbon 2.5″ wide, 0.25″ thick. Steel base is about 27 inches wide.
Artist Statement – This steel sculpture is designed to represent the transgender community (e.g. by the transgender colors of white, light pink and baby blue) . It’s unique design and inherent fluidity appears quite different from the different angles (as per the below photo), which is similar to how people in general and trans people in particular, can look quite different from different perspectives. The design of the objects on the surface is intended to appear important in its sections and as a total, interrelated, and aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Because of the time-consuming procedure of fabrication and costliness of the steel, the price has been increased to $2,500 in July 2022 and likely to increase again soon.
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The above photo with a black background (done by close friend Kathrina Miccio, artist on 5/9/20) – $2,500
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“Ribbons in the Sky”
Designed by Fran Sisco in 2016
Design for a 40′ high steel sculpture for a LGBT Memorial
Fran Sisco’s innovative design for a 40-foot tall LGBT Memorial to be built adjacent the Hudson River in Greenwich Village, NY, at about 12 Street. The sculpture is made of 6 steel “ribbons” that are one foot wide and 1/2 inch thick. David Kindrick did the below 3-D rendering of Fran Sisco’s sketch and drawings. For more info, please contact Fran via phone at: 914.589.1013
“Ribbons in the Sky” Sketch for NYS LGBT Memorial by Fran Sisco that was
used in creating the 3-dimension sketch
Copyright 2016 Fran Sisco. All Rights Reserved
Date Added to Website: 11/12/16
Prior shows:
Art and Pride alert – Fran Sisco’s sculptures and paintings will be on display for sale (a portion of the proceeds to go to the LOFT) at the LOFT’S Pride Fest from 12noon to 5pm on Saturday 6/3/17 in White Plains, NY, . Watch Fran’s short video and see the photos for more info, and see the LOFT Flyer and go to http://www.loftgaycenter.org for more info. Also, visit http://www.TransFranSisco.com for more info about Fran’s artwork, or contact her at FrancisSisco@aol.com.
For photos, see the end of this page.
The following photos relate to the video show at the top of this page:
date______ Bronxville Women’s Club – Beaux Arts Finale
date______ Bronxville Women’s Club – Beaux Arts exhibit
date______ New Rochelle Public Library – Annual art exhibit of the New Rochelle Council of the Arts
date______ New Rochelle City Hall Rotunda – Special art exhibit
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Tel 914.589.1013, Email - FrancisSisco@aol.com 