Pirates Log

Issue date: 3/23/06 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Adm Golub Margarito Franco

Media Credit: Adm Golub Margarito Franco

As we approach this year's Celebration of the Humanities competition we here at The Pirates' log have decided to sit down with former winners and talk with them about how the competition helped to shape their lives and careers. This is the second feature in this series.

In this issue we are proud to feature Margarito Franco. Franco won awards in the competition for his artwork in 2005. His primary focus is painting and drawing portraits using a variety of mediums.

Pirates' Log: First of all Margarito, thank you for taking the time to meet with me today. I am sorry that this was arranged so last minute.

Franco: I am glad that we could get together. I appreciate the opportunity to get my work out to people.

Pirates' Log: I am curious as to why you enter competitions like The Celebration of the Humanities. Is there a particular reason that you enjoy competing with your artwork?

Franco: I enjoy having an audience for my work but more than anything, I enjoy the feedback that I receive from other artists. It is a positive experience to be able to get some guidance in regard to my work. I don't do it to win. I compete to learn and shape my artwork.

Pirates' Log: At what point in your life did you start really focusing on your art?

Franco: After high school is when I really started getting serious about my goals as an artist. I am 35 now and I seem to be going through a personal renaissance of sorts. I am really trying to lately to find myself and my art is really helping me with that.

Pirates' Log: What do you do when you are not painting or drawing?

Franco: I have worked for the California Youth Authority for nearly twelve years and I also maintain a marriage and raise a family while working on my education. I will transfer to Stanislaus State soon to get my B.A. in fine art and my teaching credential.

Pirates' Log: You have a full plate. Do your art and your personal life ever cross paths? Does one influence the other?

Franco: At work, I work with kids that have lost their way in life. There are a lot of felons that I work with and I try to teach them about humility and how to find a positive creative focus. At home, I try to work with my children and show them that they can do whatever that they set their minds on. I buy them art supplies and teach them about art but more than anything, I want them to understand that I will support them no matter what they do.

Pirates' Log: I am really impressed by what you have accomplished and by how you live. I have two daughters that love art. If you sat down with them and taught them about art what would you tell them?

Franco: I would explain to them true art comes from within a persons heart. I draw portraits because I feel like capturing the human spirit is very important. If an artist can catch the humanity of a subject in art, he has done his job. When I draw portraits I will interview the person that has commissioned me to do the piece and I will try to really get to the soul of my subject. I may take pictures, find certain mannerisms that they have and take notes. Everyone has a soul. My job is to find it.

Pirates' Log: Is there a particular medium that you work with the most?

Franco: I enjoy working with oil paint the most. The colors are rich and the textures are deep and come to life more than any other medium in my opinion. Oil is also hard to work with and I find that my most rewarding work is not my easiest work if that makes sense.

Pirates' Log: Are there any particular artists that you look up to?

Franco: I very much admire Rembrandt for his work in regard to self-portraits. I am also very fond of Diego Rivera, Frida Kahlo and other Hispanic artists. I have been a Kahlo fan since long before the movie about her came out. Her self-portraits are amazing.

Pirates' Log: Explain to me how art makes you feel.

Franco: That is tough to put into words but I will try. I find that my art connects me to humanity. It makes me feel at one with the universe. If my life gets tough at home or work, art provides me an escape. It allows me to have a positive creative outlet. Knowing that I can capture innocence and passion and other natural moments makes me honestly feel alive and fulfilled. The ability to focus on my art really keeps me connected to what I do.

Pirates' Log: Good luck in this years Celebration of the Humanities competition. It is nice to know that your work will be there on display and that you are looking for feedback more than awards. It is refreshing to meet artists like you.

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