Journal
Where They Bloom - my very first exhibition! 3rd July 2026
It's quite exciting that my third blog post is actually on the day of my very first exhibition. What the blooming hell!!
Where They Bloom is a collection of paintings I made this year and I feel like it's an expression of something I've been feeling for quite a long time. Something that, until now, has been a bit trapped.
So how did I get this opportunity? Without sounding cheesy, it really was a “right time right place” situation. I was in Piazza Sant'Ambrogio in Florence (the cool area), I was running out of a record store that was playing music that was far too loud for a Sunday afternoon! While my friends stayed I escaped and found myself crossing the road and stepping into this beautiful and tranquil space called Invasate.
After a very satisfying amount of cuddles with the cutest Jack Russell - Jenko and some time appreciating the flowers, and the artwork on the walls. I got talking to the owner Anna, as you can imagine she is a flower lover and I marvelled over the illustrations in a flower book she had which got us talking.
In conversation she mentioned that she has a different artist exhibiting botanical themed art every month, by chance the artist who was supposed to exhibit in July had cancelled. She asked if I wanted to take the spot!
I said yes before she finished the sentence.
And tonight we're celebrating it. Ten paintings, a beautiful flower shop in Florence, a glass of something good, and if I'm honest - a lot of feelings I'm not sure I know how to put into words yet. Which is exactly why I painted them instead!
Alongside the paintings there are also prints, bags and hats - wearable pieces made from details of the original artworks.
A way to take a small piece of the collection home with you, if a painting isn't quite the right moment.
Come tonight if you can. I'd love to see you there.
📍 Invasate, Via Mino 1, Florence. 3 July, 18:00–21:00
The Great Escape: From Corporate to the Dolce Vita 3rd June 2026
Once upon a time, there was a girl from London called Francesca.
Francesca did not like her job, so much so that she decided to go far, far away on a little trip around South America.
She met people from all over the world, explored the Amazon rainforest, sambaed in the streets of Rio, hiked across the Andes, swam in the highest lakes, and stargazed in the most epic of deserts. She had the time of her life.
But that time had to come to an end so, with glitter still in her hair from Carnival, she went back to London, to return that same job.
As you can imagine, it didn’t take long for her to decide that she did not want to be back in that office. Not one little bit.
She didn’t want to return to that repetitive routine. She wanted to feel free, be creative, live in nature, hear the birds chirping in the morning, and stargaze at night again. So, what did she do? She packed her bags and moved to a tiny little village in Tuscany.
That girl called Francesca is me…
Biting the Bullet
A year ago, I quit my job with nothing but a dream to finally use my creativity in a career and a desire to improve my lifestyle. It has been, and still is very difficult but, there is never a moment where I question my choice. I won’t lie, there are certainly moments where I think, “what on earth am I doing with my life right now?”. But I had that before anyways! So at least now I’m questioning my life much closer to getting to where I want to be.
Looking back, I stayed at my company for five years too long. I spent seven years in a corporate marketing agency, and to be honest, I never quite fit into any role I had - constantly hoping the next role would feel more creative and more fulfilling. While I met some wonderful people along the way—including a boss and colleague I genuinely loved working with—the work itself never felt like me. I kept waiting for the perfect moment to leave, but that moment never arrived. I finally realised I just had to bite the bullet and prioritise my own happiness. Otherwise, I’d blink and suddenly another five years would pass.
Today instead of waking up to my 7am alarm and searching if there will be a tube strike and whether I need to take a brolly to work, my mornings are opening my green shutters to see beautiful mountains and hear bird song. Instead of having lunch under fluorescent lights, lunch might be eating tuscan prosciutto in the garden, with salad dressed with oil made by the local farmer who made it from their own olives.
Where the Journey Led Me
I no longer have to fixate over what wording to use for the meeting minutes, I obsess over which paintbrush to use and what my next subject will be; spoilt for choice - will it be the sunrise, the rolling hills, or the lemon trees?
Leaving that world meant I could build fra.painted and I’m so happy to have stopped managing sandwich brands and feel so glad and lucky that I get to spend my days painting, creating unique pieces and be inspired by the nature around me and the memories of my travels around the world. Every painting is a reminder of the freedom I spent so long wishing I could have and for the first time my work feels like an extension of who I am.
Through this blog, I'll be sharing the realities of building a creative business in Tuscany, the inspiration behind my paintings, and the adventures that continue to shape my work.
Want to see what life looks like on the other side of the corporate world?
- 🌍 Visit my Shop to see the creative projects born from this bold decision.
- 📸 Follow me on Instagram to see the happiness I paint.
- 🎨 View my Portfolio to explore my full body of work and artistic evolution.
Hello World! - 3rd May 2026
Hey, thanks for coming to this page! I’ll be honest I’m feeling quite vulnerable, nervous and excited about all of this but here I go…I suppose I should start with introducing myself.
So who am I?
My name is Francesca Lawrence, I’m half Italian half Caribbean and I am artist, I was born in London but now live in a tiny village in the Tuscan mountains. I want to make people feel happy with my art and also inspire people to follow their passion.
11 months ago I quit my corporate job to search for a better life and career. Since then I have painted over 50 paintings, sold over 40 prints and got my products selling in 3 stores; internationally! - In London, Florence, Pistoia, since this morning now have a website and will soon be launching a campaign that I genuinely believe is going to change the way people perceive art.
I have learnt you need a delusional confidence that doesn’t let anyone’s opinions get to you, cause often that is just their own insecurity and lack of self belief.
In these posts I want to talk about the experience of an artist, everything from the day to day feelings you experience, the practical obstacles, and the log the successes and milestones that I know will happen (thanks to my delusional confidence!)