“Fleischer has an eye for balance and harmony; her photos are an elegant and artful interpretation of nature.”
“I am historically a portraitist. Having grown up in New York City, surrounded by an extraordinary human landscape, I turned to people as my subject of choice. Later in life, when I moved out to the east end of Long Island, I turned my lens to the nature around me—the water, the architecture of nests, the flora and fauna. I approach them all as portraits, finding human characteristics within their shapes and textures. ” — FF
Francine Fleischer was born in New York City in 1960 and spent most of her summers in Paris. She received her BFA in painting and photography at SUNY Purchase and pursued Media Studies at New York University. After graduating, she worked as a first camera assistant and printer to Annie Leibovitz, Kelly Klein and Michel Comte.
Francine’s work is in numerous collections and has been exhibited widely, including at Tanto Tempo Gallery, Kobe, Japan; Catherine Edelman Gallery, Chicago; Pictura Gallery, Bloomington, Indiana; Photo Off, Paris; Finn Galley, Greenwich, Connecticut; Sara Nightingale Gallery, Watermill, NY; folioeast, East Hampton, NY; and Ille Arts, Amagansett. Her work has appeared in a variety of publications, such as Vanity Fair, Italian Vogue, British Elle, Russian Architectural Digest, Conde Nast Traveler, and Esquire. Her commercial clients have included Armani Exchange, Bloomingdales, Mercedes Benz and Starwood Hotels.
She lives and works in Sag Harbor, NY.
Fleischer by Jaime Lopez
ARTIST’S CAROUSEL
rotating exhibit of current & recently sold work
FRANCINE FLEISCHER speaks to folioeast’s COCO MYERS
CM/ YOU PHOTOGRAPH NATURE QUITE A LOT, AS WITH THE BIRDS’ NESTS AND SWANS SERIES. WHAT DRAWS YOU TO THOSE SUBJECTS?
FF/ Historically, my subjects were people oriented. Either portraits, fashion or beauty and then came the addition of gardens. When I moved out east, I turned my lens to the amazing nature around me. I approached it all as portraiture.
CM/ DO YOU SET OUT WITH AN IDEA IN MIND OF WHAT YOU’LL SHOOT THAT DAY?
FF/ If I've started a series, then I set out with specific intentions and it becomes a hunting expedition. I get so much gratification when I find the next piece of the puzzle. When I am not working on a specific series or idea, I head out with wide eyes and an open mind.
CM/ IS THERE A SCALE YOU PREFER TO WORK IN?
FF/ The scale is totally determined by the subject and the texture. There is a temptation to go big; however, some things are best viewed intimately.
CM/ WHAT BROUGHT YOU TO THE EAST END? AND WHEN?
FF/ My husband needed to live near the ocean and I needed to live near my husband. We moved out here in 2000.
CM/ HOW DOES THIS AREA INFLUENCE OR INFILTRATE YOUR WORK?
FF/ The light, space, rhythms of nature all play into my work. There is also an enormous and vibrant creative energy out here.
CM/ DO YOU HAVE ANY WORKS BY EAST END ARTISTS IN YOUR HOME?
FF/ Yes. My current favorite is a Carolyn Conrad piece. And of course a fabulous Mark Webber sculpture on our lawn.
CM/ ANYTHING ELSE YOU’D LIKE TO ADD ABOUT YOUR CREATIVE PROCESS OR WHERE YOU SEE YOUR ART GOING?
FF/ I am always open to new concepts while still revisiting old ones. Some series are ongoing for years… not looking to resolve them but instead, to continue the conversation.