This interview was curated by START Shows

Frankie creates vibrant acrylic paintings that capture the luminous spirit of Palm Springs and the beauty of the Coachella Valley, focusing on joyful, colorful pet portraits and impressionist scenes that celebrate the world’s beauty and inspire support for animal charities. His artwork spreads joy through expressive, Monet‑inspired compositions that shine with bright, celebratory color.

How did you get your Artist name?

I chose the artist name Frankie because it reflects the personal, friendly vibe I want my artwork to convey-simple, memorable, and expressive of the joyful spirit that drives my colorful, impressionist paintings.

How did you get into creating?

I started creating art through a self-taught journey, blending formal studies in fine arts at El Camino College and Cal State Dominguez with inspiration from Monet and impressionist masters. The vibrant colors of Palm Springs and the beauty of the Coachella Valley sparked my passion for painting vivid acrylic works, especially colorful pet portraits that spread joy and celebrate the world's beauty.

Where are you from?

Dallas Texas

How did growing up in your neighborhood/city affect you?

It helped me have tough skin to push through and accomplish my goals

What did you do to advance your skills/knowledge?

I watched a lot of YouTube tutorials on art and went to lots of galleries and museums learning about Impressionism and Monet style of art.

What does your current setup look like?

My current setup is a cozy, vibrant studio space tucked into my living area. The heart of the space is a large table covered with a red splatter-painted cloth, loaded with rows of bright acrylic paint bottles in every hue, brushes of various sizes, and a blue basket full of additional supplies. An old wooden easel stands nearby, ready for the next canvas. Behind the table, a fireplace with a TV above it separates the studio from a lounge area with a black couch and windows that let in natural light. On the walls hang colorful paintings of dogs, adding to the energetic atmosphere. The whole vibe feels like a creative playground where color and joy mix in the air.

Who inspires you?

Monet is my biggest inspiration. I remember the first time I saw an original Monet exhibition at the Musée de l'Orangerie in Paris; the way he captured light and color in Water Lilies blew my mind. That moment made me realize I wanted to translate the fleeting beauty of nature into vibrant acrylic works, just like Monet did with his impressionist masterpieces. His focus on atmosphere and feeling pushes me to chase the same luminous quality in my own colorful pet portraits and scenes inspired by Palm Springs.

What is your goal when you create?

What is your goal when you create?
My goal when I create is to produce vibrant, impressionist acrylic works that spread joy and celebrate the beauty of the world, inspired by the colors of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. I aim to capture the essence of my subjects— especially colorful pet portraits-in a way that supports animal charities and enriches my artistic portfolio for licensing with Springs Creative.

Why do you create?

I create to express my passion for impressionist art, honoring influences like Monet, and to share that artistic energy with others through exhibitions. My art fuels my desire to build an art studio with grant finances and to give back to animal-focused charities.

How has choosing your creative path affected your life?

Choosing my creative path has turned my life into a colorful adventure inspired by the vibrant energy of Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.
It pushed me to dive into impressionist acrylic painting, letting me express joy through pet portraits and support animal charities with my art licensed by Springs Creative. The journey fuels my passion for exhibitions and building an art studio funded by grants.

Did you have to overcome any obstacles along the way?

I faced obstacles like securing grant finances for my studio and balancing artistic vision with commercial licensing for Springs Creative.
Overcoming them sharpened my dedication to impressionist art and my mission to give back to animal-focused charities through my vibrant, joyful paintings.

What's your go-to song right now and why is it important to you?

Eye of tiger because it can be a battle to succeed and if you never give up you will

What is your dream as an artist and what steps are you taking to reach your dream?

My dream as an artist is to create immersive, thought-provoking installations that inspire people to see the world in a new way. To reach that dream, l'm taking these steps:
1. Skill-building - I'm constantly practicing mixed-media techniques and studying contemporary art history to sharpen my craft.
2. Networking - I attend local exhibitions and online artist forums to connect with mentors and collaborators.
3. Portfolio development - I'm curating a strong body of work and documenting my process for future shows and grants.
4. Goal-setting - I set short-term projects that push my creativity and align with my long-term vision of large-scale installations.

What would you tell someone else with a dream?

"Stay curious, stay persistent, and turn your passion into disciplined practice. Break big goals into bite-size tasks, celebrate small wins, and always keep learning from the work of others and from your own experiences."
What specific area of your artistic dream would you like to explore next? (e.g., a new medium, a particular theme, or a collaboration?)

Tell us about your most recent release

I did a beautiful painting of calla lilies, I chose the colors ahead of time I wanted to use for it, wanted to give an impressionist Monet vibe to it, It took 28 hours to paint.

Share a link to your most recent release

https://www.tiktok.com/@frankieartwork.com?_r=1&_t=ZP-93VuaiFkv9C

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/frankies_paintings_23?igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr

Facebook.com

https://www.facebook.com/franklin.duru.737793?mibextid=wwXIfr&mibextid=wwXIfr

Website

https://www.frankieartwork.com/home