"I often paint ugly cats, in a realistic depiction, with 10% surreal elements thrown in the mix. I am inspired by the feel of 1970s sci-fi illustrations. The paintings are a necessity for me – visual motives, ideas, and messages pop up manifold throughout the day, and I need to paint them to cleanse my mind. I tend to explore the ruthlessness of biology whilst avoiding any romanticizing of nature. Although I am a foreigner living in China, Asian or Chinese design elements are rarely found in my work - the subjects express just that "fish out of water" allegory. My daily feeling and experience of living in a different, alien culture and context reflects in both fascination and fear, opportunity and shortcomings, and brood behind the surface of my paintings."

Franc paints with acrylics on cardboard substrates. Each painting starts with an idea and sketch, and the composition is then penciled on a cardboard. The paintings progress in several stages, from a build-up of basic values with acrylic paint to detailed layers, which can take days or weeks. The finished paintings are signed and varnished.

Franc's recent exhibitions were at Corey Helford Gallery, Los Angeles:

• Artist Collector Starter Kit VII group show (Nov 2020 - Jan 2021)
• 15th Anniversary Show (April - May 2021).
• Animalia (Aug - Sept 2021).

"I often paint ugly cats, in a realistic depiction, with 10% surreal elements thrown in the mix. I am inspired by the feel of 1970s sci-fi illustrations. The paintings are a necessity for me – visual motives, ideas, and messages pop up manifold throughout the day, and I need to paint them to cleanse my mind. I tend to explore the ruthlessness of biology whilst avoiding any romanticizing of nature. Although I am a foreigner living in China, Asian or Chinese design elements are rarely found in my work - the subjects express just that "fish out of water" allegory. My daily feeling and experience of living in a different, alien culture and context reflects in both fascination and fear, opportunity and shortcomings, and brood behind the surface of my paintings."

Franc paints with acrylics on cardboard substrates. Each painting starts with an idea and sketch, and the composition is then penciled on a cardboard. The paintings progress in several stages, from a build-up of basic values with acrylic paint to detailed layers, which can take days or weeks. The finished paintings are signed and varnished.

Franc's recent exhibitions were at Corey Helford Gallery, Los Angeles:

• Artist Collector Starter Kit VII group show (Nov 2020 - Jan 2021)
• 15th Anniversary Show (April - May 2021).
• Animalia (Aug - Sept 2021).