We had the good fortune of connecting with Hana Franco and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Hana, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
The most important factor has been staying true to what feels meaningful to me. I paint places, colors, and scenes that I have a personal connection with — often places I grew up around here in the South Bay or Southern California. My most popular pieces are often the ones that come from that deep sense of place and emotion. I believe that when art is created with that kind of authenticity, people can feel it, especially those who share a similar connection to the community.

I always ask myself “would I want to live with this on my own walls?” and create with my own home in mind. I think that intention resonates with others. it’s about capturing a mood or a feeling and that’s what draws people in.

I don’t know if my art would have the same impact elsewhere, but here, in the place where I grew up, it seems to strike a shared chord and that’s been key to my growth as both an artist and a business.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m most proud of taking the leap—leaving behind a 12-year career in real estate marketing to pursue a dream I didn’t even know was possible. Art has always been a part of my life. When I was four, I submitted a painting of a snail to a magazine, and it was chosen and featured! I’ve painted quietly ever since but never in a million years did I think people would actually want to buy my art, let alone hang it in their homes or see it in stores and galleries. That still blows my mind.

What started as a quiet hobby has grown into a full-blown business—one that not only feeds my soul, but also helps support my family. That transformation, from something so personal to something that brings joy to others and provides for our life, is something I’m incredibly proud of. It’s been a scary, beautiful, and surreal journey, and every time someone connects with my work, I’m reminded that taking that chance was worth it.

It didn’t come easy, though. At the same time I was transitioning careers, I was also navigating new motherhood. Everything I did, I did with a baby on my hip—from dropping into stores to ask if they’d carry my prints, to bringing my son along in a stroller for business meetings. If I couldn’t do it with him, I waited until bedtime…and then stayed up painting or packaging prints until 1 or 2 a.m. Often times I was lucky enough to have my neighbor pop in and join me with a glass of wine.

When it comes to the challenges of business, I’m so grateful for my background in marketing and events; it gave me the foundation to navigate art shows, fairs, setup logistics, and building a brand. Without that experience, I think the journey would have been a lot harder. But looking back, every challenge made the wins that much more meaningful.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Funny enough, I’ve actually been thinking about this. because my childhood best friend is planning a visit from New Zealand! I was just telling her that the real magic of L.A. isn’t in the Hollywood sign or Sunset Boulevard, it’s in the local gems, the beautiful spots that those of us who live here actually treasure.

We’d spend a lot of time in the South Bay, thats the place I know the best. Mornings would start with coffee at HiFi Espresso and then wed take a long walk along the strand, possibly make it to the pier and get a fire chief from Tonys on the pier. We’d have to hit up Hermosa and Manhattan at some point, and take some days for the secret hikes tucked into Palos Verdes and San Pedro. So many of these places have inspired my paintings—they’re peaceful, vibrant, and full of natural beauty.

We’d definitely dive into the local food scene too. I love taking visitors to Japonica for sushi, and we’d grab dinner at Mexican Riviera or Trani’s in San Pedro—all of which are full of charm and flavor, and feel like true hidden gems that only us locals know about.

We’d make time to explore the art scene as well. San Pedro’s art district has such a cool, creative energy, especially during art walks. And there are some wonderful local galleries in Hermosa and Redondo, like CherryCo and ShockBox that showcase a lot of amazing, homegrown talent. It’s always inspiring to see how much creativity lives right here by the coast.

The whole week would be about soaking up the authentic Southern California experience—sunsets, salty air, good coffee, delicious food, and discovering art in unexpected places. It’s the kind of visit that makes you feel grounded, inspired, and totally in love with this place.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There isn’t one single person I can credit. My journey has been supported by a beautiful patchwork of friends, family, and even strangers who believed in me when I took the leap into art full-time. Their encouragement has meant everything.

From my friend Caitlin, who spotted a small gallery opening in our community, “Cherry Co” and encouraged me to walk in and introduce myself, to the gallery owner Layla, now a dear friend, who featured my work and threw a party where 60 of my friends and family showed up to celebrate, I’ve been lifted by so many thoughtful people along the way.

I’ve had family, my mom, husband and in laws especially, who’ve lugged tables to set up booths at local fairs and sat there all day with me. My best friends have watched my kids so I could work and stayed up late with me to package cards and prints throughout the night before big events. Theres even been people I hadn’t spoken to in years who reached out with connections to get my foot in the door places. Perhaps one of the most unexpected joys has been the strangers who discovered my art, connected with it, and have become friends — people I never would have met if I hadn’t started sharing my work.

This journey has shown me how powerful it is to have a village, when people come together to support someone simply doing what they love. Its the best feeling in the world and I carry that with me everyday.

Website: https://hanafranco.com

Instagram: @hanafrancoart

Facebook: hana franco art

Image Credits
all images are by me (no need to credit)

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