To highlight some of the designer/makers whose work we are proud to offer, we thought we'd start a series highlighting the people who make GEORGE what it is. We begin this series with the work of Willy and Ann Francois – the husband and wife partnership that is Willan F.
In 1982 Ann and Willy met under the wide and brilliant sky of New Mexico. From that time till the present, they have joined their sense of style, grace and beauty to produce artworks of decoupage. All work is done by hand in their mountaintop studio, and in the studios of the local artisans they have assembled.
What brought you both to New Mexico…all the way from Normandy and New Jersey?
Willy met a meditation/dance master in Paris and I met the same teacher in NYC (I was already living there at the time). Separately we both ventured out to New Mexico to participate in a workshop in the mountains between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. While there, we met the amazing artist – Charles Ross – and started working with him.
Do your surroundings influence your art?
Absolutely…We are influenced by what we see which gives rise to different expressions of color and form, but we’re also influenced by the state of mind we experience in different environments.
photo: Ann Francois
What advice do you have for a couple wanting to go into business together?
Don’t do it!! NOOOO..only kidding! Working and living together means YOU ARE TOGETHER most of the time…and this is not for everyone. Although we design together, make most decisions together and usually sit opposite one another, we have very different and separate duties as relates to the work. It’s important for each partner to find his/her area of expertise and take responsibility for that. This allows you some independence. We are also lucky enough to have a large studio and living space so we can get away from one another when we need to!
Tell us about your archive of images? What's the oldest piece of ephemera? Most unique?
I think one of the oldest and most unique pieces of art we ever used was a deck of Tarot Cards from the 13th century. We always have our eyes open to art…old postcards, photographs, books, magazines, prints. Sometimes we’re attracted to entire images. At other times, it’s just a section or a border, an ornament, etc. We look at prints somewhat as I look at clothing in a second hand store. We very quickly can pick out quality material, a bewitching color, a good cut.
At school you concentrated on photography and art therapy. Have you been able to apply this specialized training to Willan F.?
The concentration in photography trained my eye. How to see colors, light, composition. This training directly applies to the work of Willan F. The training in art therapy helped me to recognize that paying attention to our feelings and inner process affects the outer life and work. You cannot separate what you feel from what you do, what you express. We try to keep ourselves clear and open so that our art can reflect beauty and symmetry. Basically, things work better when we feel good. Art Therapy is a useful modality. I’ve recently taken on some child clients and have gone back to using it. I love to see a child’s creativity manifest…and all the better when it can help resolve conflict and problems.
Take us through a day in the life of Ann and Willy.
I am an early riser. If the sun is up, I’ve usually started the day! If the weather is warm, I do some gardening or just wander around the property, meditate and swim a few laps. I eventually make my way to the computer and check email, read the news, do some research, do the paperwork. When Willy is ready to start the day, we have breakfast together…outdoors if possible. Then we’re ready to hit the studio and do the work of the day. One of us stops near lunch time and cooks a major meal…This is an important part of the day. (You can’t take the French out of a French man!)
Afterward, it’s back to the studio after lunch and we often work quite late. With the hot weather, we are able to swim after the work is complete. Dinner is a small affair. We love film and that usually takes up most evenings…although I tend to fall asleep and get the end of the story the next morning from Willy. Two evenings a week we teach Argentine Tango in Stroudsburg. We also have a dance studio in our home where we teach privately. Weekends can find us back in the studio to complete Willan F. work of the week or we’re working on the property. We dance in NYC and elsewhere whenever possible. Our home is often filled with friends from around the world.
Afterward, it’s back to the studio after lunch and we often work quite late. With the hot weather, we are able to swim after the work is complete. Dinner is a small affair. We love film and that usually takes up most evenings…although I tend to fall asleep and get the end of the story the next morning from Willy. Two evenings a week we teach Argentine Tango in Stroudsburg. We also have a dance studio in our home where we teach privately. Weekends can find us back in the studio to complete Willan F. work of the week or we’re working on the property. We dance in NYC and elsewhere whenever possible. Our home is often filled with friends from around the world.
Can you share with us any new projects you're working on?
New projects include boxes for the Heritage Foundation and the Office of the Vice President.
If someone is looking for a custom piece, what is the process involved?
The first step is to peruse our website and find items of interest. Then we talk about what’s wanted and help identify what we can do. We do quite a lot of custom pieces for corporations, government agencies and non-profit organizations as well as for individuals. We can use original art provided by the client, or we can help the client find appropriate art. We then take the art and design it to fit the item. We always send the client proofs for approval. Our home, of course, is full of custom pieces. We have a million more projects that we want to accomplish.
photo: Ann Francois
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Thank you Ann and Willy for sharing a glimpse inside your lives and your work. If I lived closer, I'd have you teach me Argentine Tango. You're an inspiration.
