About
Francesca Sciandra, Artist
I’m a UK-based visual artist specialising in painting and experiential art. My work explores the power of imagination, representing what we see and feel. I draw inspiration from nature, dreams, and emotional landscapes.
As the painter Agnes Martin once said: ‘Work is self-expression. We must not think of self-expression as something we may do or something we may not do. Self-expression is inevitable. In your work, in the way you do your work and in the results of your work, your self is expressed’.
My Journey
I’ve been fascinated with art and creativity since I took my first drawing class as a teenager. This foundational studio art experience ignited a passion that has intensified over time. I received a Bachelor of Architecture from The Cooper Union in New York City, where I studied drawing with Sue Ferguson Gussow and poetry with David Shapiro. I received a degree in Graphic Design from Parsons School of Design in New York City.
My artistic path has taken me from the sleepy towns of Southern New Hampshire and Western New York to the vibrance of New York City’s East Village and the calm of Park Slope, Brooklyn. Eventually, I left to study post-graduate art history and glass sculpture in Barcelona—little did I know this would begin a transformative chapter in my life. During this period, I spent extended periods in Italy and Portugal before settling in the UK. I am currently based in Bristol.
My Philosophy
My power manifests through activating my self-expression and through helping others activate theirs. I find my strength in my creative practice—writing and drawing every day, even when it challenges me. Making art and connecting with my inner radiance are my life-long goals.
I cherish that magic feeling when everything drops away, yet everything is present. The sense of freedom that comes from connecting fully to a moment cannot be forced, but it can be nurtured.
Teaching and Mentoring
I am an experienced educator and facilitator in the arts, working with students of all ages since I was a teenager myself. My first creative facilitation experience was in the summer of 1994, volunteering as a creative workshop facilitator at Artpark in Lewiston, New York, where I worked with children on drawing and painting.
While studying architecture at The Cooper Union, I taught drawing to high schoolers in their Saturday Program. Instruction included life drawing, still life, and architectural drawing skills and techniques.
From 2019 to 2024, I facilitated creative circles for The Artist's Way, supporting the creative recovery and growth of artists and creative spirits across continents. Now, I create and teach online art courses.
Integrative Therapy and Counselling
Beyond my work as an artist and arts educator, I’m a qualified therapist and psychotherapeutic counsellor. I offer integrative therapy, hypnotherapy, and couples therapy. I support and guide my clients in exploring their inner world of beliefs, assumptions, and expectations so they may create greater possibilities for themselves. My multifaceted background and commitment to artistic exploration make me a valuable mentor for those seeking to deepen their creative practice.
Connect
To stay in touch, connect with me on Instagram: @francescasciandra and sign up for my newsletter to receive updates and course announcements.