Francesca Tesoriere
Francesca Tesoriere is a Sicilian illustrator and visual artist based in Palermo, where she balances her work as an art teacher with her practice in painting and graphic design. She studied Architecture at the University of Palermo, graduating in 2000, and went on to earn a Diploma in Illustration from IED Rome in 2002. After living for several years in Madrid and Rome, she returned to her hometown, where she has been working professionally in illustration since 2002. Since 2018, her practice has shifted toward abstract painting, with a strong focus on the botanical world. Fascinated by the quiet strength and essential role of plants, Francesca explores themes of ecological awareness and the human need to reconnect with nature through her art. Her work draws inspiration from rare and local plant species, celebrating their beauty and their vital place in our collective well-being.
Acrylics on canvas 66.9"x41.4"
Acrylics on canvas 66.9"x41.4"
Francesca Tesoriere on Art, Integrity, and Inner Growth
​
For Francesca Tesoriere, art has never been a mere pursuit—it’s a way of breathing, of being. From an early fascination with visual expression, drawing became her daily language, and illustration her first profession. But beyond the technical or aesthetic, art offered something deeper: emotional elevation, therapeutic release, and a sanctuary for her own fragility. “Without art,” she reflects, “life would be unbearable.” At the heart of Francesca’s journey lies a constant search for expressive freedom. Yet, even with this inner drive, challenges persist. One of the most poignant is what she calls “the moment after”: finishing a painting and confronting the uncertainty of what comes next. It’s a quiet but persistent struggle many artists will recognize—the need to begin again without losing momentum.
Despite these moments of doubt, Francesca recalls the quiet triumph of her first paid commission—a turning point not because of the money, but because it meant someone truly saw and valued her work. “They didn’t just like it,” she says. “They wanted it in their home. That made me proud.” Francesca’s artistic voice has grown alongside her. What began as botanical abstraction has evolved into a profound focus on olive trees—an emblem of Italian landscapes and a species now at risk. Her work speaks not only to personal memory and childhood but also to ecological urgency. This thread of transformation—whether through seasonal cycles, climate shifts, or life’s inner changes—continues to inspire the next phase of her exploration.
 |  |
|---|
Yet, the path hasn’t always been smooth. Balancing her own creative work with her job as an art teacher presents both constraint and possibility. Living in a less artistically vibrant area can be isolating, but nature’s richness offers endless inspiration. And when needed, digital tools and travel keep her connected to the broader art world. What might seem like a limitation, she has transformed into an invitation to grow and explore.​ Through it all, Francesca has gathered wisdom that she hopes to pass on to others: “Never stop learning—not just in art, but in life. Knowledge, combined with your own emotions, is the fuel.” She believes that the authenticity of the artist is always felt by the viewer, that true expression resonates beyond language.
​
Integrity is at the core of her philosophy. “I never do anything just to fit in,” she says firmly. For Francesca, success isn’t about sales, recognition, or followers. It’s about becoming fully human—and from that place, expressing something honest and joyful. “It’s about being a happy artist.”
​
To those navigating doubt or uncertainty, she offers the simplest, most heartfelt advice: Keep going. Stay humble. Stay curious. And don’t lose the child within.