Meet Francesca Colombara | Illustrator and 2D animator

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

Hi Francesca, how do you think about risk?
Being a freelancer working in the creative field, I feel quite used to risks and uncertainty, haha. While it can be a huge source of insecurity, taking risks can, on the other hand, open up opportunities you never imagined and contribute to personal growth. Personally, I’m a optimistic person, which makes me more inclined to take risks.

Embarking on a career in the artistic and creative field was a risk, especially since in Italy, transforming this path into a lasting career is challenging. Moreover, betting on my unique and quirky style was an additional risk, but over the years, it has rewarded me and brought many satisfactions. In fact, without my style, I wouldn’t have collaborated with certain brands I admire or worked on certain music videos.

At the beginning, it was challenging to believe I could pursue this career in my style, especially because I often felt opposed by some of my professors at the academy and some editors during the portfolio reviews. Despite the criticisms, I continued to believe in my style. I think that an artist should be the first to believe in their own work!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My artistic work includes editorial illustrations, graphic novels, and 2D animations (music videos, short films, commercials).

I can describe my style as eccentric, surreal, and psychedelic, with bold and impactful colors. I don’t take myself too seriously, and my characters are weird and fun, but sometimes a bit creepy.

I’m very proud to have created an extremely personal visual language, influenced by other artists and movements but with my unique voice. Moreover, I’m excited when my works go from my imagination and physically enter the world, such as my music videos in international animation festivals or my comics in libraries abroad.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Luckily, I live in Northern Italy in Verbania, a city near the lake Maggiore and mountains. I love being in nature, and for sure, the perfect day with a best friend would be to organize a picnic in the mountains with sandwiches and beers and enjoy the view of the lake from above.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
If I think about the people who supported me on my journey (even though it has just begun), I’d like to mention my parents. They always let me choose my own path and provided financial support for me to study at the Academy of Fine Arts.

Next, I want to thank my partner Matteo, who is not only my life partner but also my business partner at CIANG studio (our independent 2D animation studio). We share our artistic journey, support each other, and influence one another.

Additionally, the artistic communities I had the chance to be a part of were a big help. They made it easier to exchange ideas and allowed me to change and grow as a person and artist.

Website: https://colombarafrancesca.weebly.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/francesca_colombara/

Other: CIANG studio: https://ciangstudio.cargo.site/ Behance: https://www.behance.net/francesca_colombara

Image Credits
illustrations by francesca colombara