Fran Kantjas: A New Mixed Media Artist Joins the Gallery

We are thrilled to announce Fran Kantjas as the latest addition to the Blue Whole Gallery – a talented mixed media artist whose journey is as inspiring as the art she creates. Fran has spent years blending creativity with life’s challenges, and her work reflects an unique story of growth, determination and a deep love for the creative process.

Her artistic journey began in a rather unexpected way. After returning to college while raising two young children, Fran sought a way to contribute to the family while still being present for her kids. The solution? Teaching preschool right in her own home. Surrounded by the boundless curiosity and imagination of children, she explored every medium safe for them to play in. But it wasn’t just the kids who were influenced—her own creativity began to flourish as well.

During naptime, while the little ones rested, she would sit with her oldest daughter and watch Bob Ross’s iconic TV show. While Bob Ross’s paintings may not have been considered “fine art” in the traditional sense, his true gift was inspiring confidence in people to believe that they, too, could create something beautiful. That spark of possibility ignited her own passion for art, and it has been burning brightly ever since.

Since those early days, Fran has exhibited her work in various galleries and taken on commissioned portraits of both people and pets. For a period of time, she even created tiny artist trading cards, each no bigger than a credit card, which found homes all around the world. The joy of making something so small yet so meaningful was a delightful chapter in her artistic evolution.

Today, Fran is focused on pushing her boundaries with mixed media. With a bold and experimental approach, she’s exploring new techniques and layering different materials to create striking pieces that challenge both her skills and imagination. At Blue Whole Gallery, we are excited to share her mixed media pieces with our visitors and hope you’ll stop by to experience her work.