Interview
Fran Riley
Fran Riley is an English artist living in France, known for her evocative mixed-media work that explores memory, storytelling, and symbolism. Drawing from philosophy, nostalgia, and subconscious narratives, she creates layered, textured pieces that invite introspection. Her work appeals to collectors who seek depth, emotion, and personal connection. She also runs immersive art retreats, guiding others to explore their own creative expression through mixed-media storytelling.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I’ve always been drawn to art as a way to tell stories and explore hidden layers of meaning. My first vivid memory as an artist was at age six, creating a circus scene where each character had its own backstory. I remember my mum telling me I had a great imagination, though I didn’t yet know what the word meant, I was immensely proud of this long word ‘imagination,’ and I had it! That moment planted a seed, and I’ve been storytelling through art ever since. Though I pursued various creative paths over the years, my artistic practice became more defined when I moved to France. Here, I found space to fully embrace mixed media, layering textures, symbols, and nostalgia into my work.”
What inspires you?
“I’m deeply inspired by philosophy, human emotions, and the quiet stories that objects, places, and memories hold. I find meaning in forgotten things - old letters, weathered surfaces, lost fragments of history - and weave them into my art. Tarot archetypes, mythology, alchemy and the subconscious also influence my work, allowing me to explore universal themes of self-discovery, transformation, and nostalgia.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“My work explores themes of introspection, and personal mythology. I often play with symbolism, inviting viewers to connect with their own emotions and narratives through my pieces. A recurring message in my work is that everything - every object, every moment - holds a story, and that story is shaped by how we choose to see and interpret it. I love the alchemical process of creativity, elevating something that may be over looked or discarded and transforming it into something precious. The dark grungy textures and contrasting gold leaf and jewel colours reflect this. I also explore the interplay between control and surrender in creativity, encouraging people to embrace imperfections and layers both in art and in life.”
How would you describe your work?
“My art is a blend of mixed media, storytelling, and symbolism. It’s layered, textured, and rich with hidden details - almost like a visual palimpsest where past and present merge. I work with a combination of paint, collage, found materials, and mark-making techniques, creating pieces that feel like they carry a history of their own. My art often goes through several stages of transformation, they evolve over time. There’s often an element of mystery in my work, inviting viewers to interpret and find personal meaning.”
Which artists influence you most?
“I’m drawn to artists who embrace texture, depth, mystery and storytelling. I love Odillon Redons poetic dreamscapes. Frida Kahlo for her courage, and the way she marries inner and outer worlds. Vincent Van Gogh expressive sensitive beauty. Paula Rego bold revisioning of stories, Marc Chagall his glorious imagination and personal symbolism. Jean Paul Basqiat multi layered partially obscured writing and symbols. Outside of visual art, I’m inspired by writers who explore psychological depth—Barbara Kingsolver, Rose Tremain and Maggie O’Connell for example. Their ability to evoke emotion and quiet introspection through subtle details resonates with my own artistic approach. I love songwriters who paint a picture with their lyrics, all of them courageously personal, Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen, Kirsty McColl. Reading Carl Jung and Clarissa Pinkola Estes opened all sorts of doors for me.”
“My art is a blend of mixed media, storytelling, and symbolism. It’s layered, textured, and rich with hidden details - almost like a visual palimpsest where past and present merge.”
What is your creative process like?
“My process is intuitive and layered. I rarely start with a fully formed idea but instead work with textures, colours, and materials that spark something in me. I build up layers, often obscuring and revealing elements as I go, letting the piece evolve organically. I love creating bright portals as intriguing windows. Sometimes, my work will lie dormant, possibly for months, even years. I will be seized by an inspiration as to what needs to happen next, it can sometimes be a drastic reworking, sometimes, the additional of some small elements of beauty, often gold leaf. Storytelling is a key part of my process. Sometimes, I’ll find an old letter or object that feels significant, and that will become the anchor for a piece. Other times, I’ll be guided by a theme - like a tarot archetype or a fragment of a dream - and build a visual world around it. I also experiment a lot. I like using unconventional tools, layering different media, and embracing the unpredictability of materials.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“Artists are storytellers, mirrors, and questioners. I believe our role is to offer perspectives, evoke emotions, and create spaces for reflection. Art can be deeply personal, but it also has the power to connect people across time and experiences. As the world becomes more digital and fast-paced, I think artists have a growing role in slowing things down - encouraging deeper engagement, whether through tactile art, immersive experiences, or thought-provoking storytelling. Not everything is explained immediately, I want my art to evoke a sense of wonder, to have viewers return and discover something previously unseen.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have exhibited at prestigious venues such as The National Theatre and Kenwood Park in London, along with numerous solo and joint shows in Cumbria. Since moving to France two years ago, I have hosted five exhibitions in my home gallery, participated in a collage exhibition in Paris, and showcased my work in a joint show in Médoc. Looking ahead, I have two more exhibitions scheduled in the next four months.”
