Francine has always been interested in drawing and painting. In recent years watercolor has given her the greatest pleasure and challenge.
Her love of the Northern California landscape has led her to interpret it in many ways, in various media. Her favorite subjects include Yosemite, Mendocino coastal scenes, landscapes and vineyards.
“A continuing influence on my work,” she says,” is contact with other cultures.” Extensive travel in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, China, Iran,and Mexico plus her hobby of visiting museums all play a part in her art.
She holds a B.A. in Arts from the University of California, Berkeley. She completed a graduate watercolor study project at Oregon State University, and takes frequent workshops and classes to master new techniques and maintain a fresh eye. Zoltan Szabo, Vernon Nye, Bob Nash, and Chiura Obata are just some of her mentors.
Although skilled in many art methods, her favorites are transparent watercolor, and
pen and ink. She occasionally combines these media for remarkable results.
Bearden is versatile. She also does linoleum blockprints, and has designed logos and labels for well-known Northern California wineries.
In addition, Francine has created and developed a line of notepaper of regional subjects, called Mendo-Scenes.
A winner of numerous awards and honors for her art, Bearden’s talent has been recognized for most of her life. Francine is a fourth generation California who grew up in the Bay Area.

HOME STUDIO:
707-462-4107, Ukiah, Ca.
MENDOCINO COAST:
707-961-0549, Fort Bragg, Ca.