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Fran Friesen

Abstract Representational Artist

Based in Coquitlam for the past few years, Fran continues her practice from her home studio, working in a more intimate space while developing new work. As during her residency with the Studios, she has continued to explore abstraction through alcohol inks while pushing the medium’s boundaries.

Fran remains very closely connected to the Braid Studios community and continues to spend time at the studio.

See Anenomies
Black Coral No.1
Sea Creature
Silver Moon
Mountain Meadow
Autumn Splendor
Mountain Ride

Website :: Instagram

Creativity has been a part of my life since a young girl however painting has been the constant expression. I have worked in watercolor, oils, acrylics, mixed media, pencil, pencil crayons, decorative arts, ceramic arts and sculpture.  I taught painting to adults for 10 years.

Although I have done art all my life, I did not go back to school to get my formal degree in art until midlife. I was looking for a broader expression of meaning in my art. For me, with all the angst  we are bombarded with in the media, I feel compelled to bring respite to my viewers in a peaceful and beautiful way.

Caring for aging parents put brake on my painting. During this time I took up fly fishing and fly tying as a respite.  That was 22 years ago.  Both in the care giving and  learning  of bugs, fish and salmon in particular,  I became increasingly aware of the cycle of life watching the various stages of their development. I had grown up on a farm and spent a lot of time in the woods and fields and ponds attentive to the flora and fauna around me. As an angler, I enjoyed being on lakes and rivers, turning over stones to look at bugs that the fish fed on. The flies I tied that imitated the various stages of the insect and fry patterns addressed my need for creativity at a time when care giving took over a large part of my life. The various aspects of fishing and tying found their way into my art. A commission of  fifty enlarged super realistic fishing flies  on large smooth river rocks took me 3 years to complete. I needed a change.

Recently, looking for something to re-energize my passion for painting, I looked into exploring abstraction. In my search I came across some works done with Alcohol Inks. I was impressed with the vibrancy and the free flowing nature of the medium. In the last year that has been the focus of my work, reflecting the colors and forms of nature in an abstracted way.

Website :: Instagram

Instagram

BRAID OPEN STUDIOS | EVERY FIRST SATURDAY! Missed BRAID OPEN STUDIOS | EVERY FIRST SATURDAY!

Missed the New Westminster Cultural Crawl? Or perhaps you’d love to come back for another look? We’ve been opening our studio doors to the community since 2015, and the tradition continues!

On the first Saturday of every month, we invite you to step inside Braid Studios, explore working artist spaces, meet the artists and discover original artwork. There’s always something new happening behind our studio doors!

This month, you can also explore our Zoom Connections Expanded exhibition, featuring the many creative interpretations of a single photograph.

Whether you’re an art lover, a collector, a fellow creative or simply curious about what happens inside an artist’s studio, we’d love to welcome you.

Saturday, November 7 | 12–4 PM
Braid Studios
321 Sixth Street, New Westminster

Look for our new sign outside! Individual artist hours may vary.

Braid Open Studios happens on the first Saturday of every month. Make it a monthly tradition! Come for the art. Stay for the conversation. 

#BraidStudios #BraidOpenStudios #NewWest #newwestminster #artsnw
So great to see @quaysidev shooting promo videos i So great to see @quaysidev shooting promo videos in the new Black Box in our 2nd floor Salon.  They are prepping for an international concert tour in 2027. 

This new feature in our studio expands the use of the space for video and photography. 

Contact us if you are interested for our rates. 

#braidstudios #blackbox #newwest #newwestminster #artstudio
LOOK WHAT’S HAPPENING AT BRAID! This weekend, Bra LOOK WHAT’S HAPPENING AT BRAID!

This weekend, Braid Studios is opening its doors for the New West Cultural Crawl and we have filled the place with art.

Start with our public art installation-we’ve got our eyes on you!  Then head in to check out all of our spaces on the first and second floors. Meet artists in their spaces. 

We’re also presenting Zoom Connections, bringing together work created across distance and borders, plus our U-Haul Gallery returns to Blackford Street-this year with four trucks and five artists.

There is a LOT to discover at Braid this weekend.

October 3 & 4
Braid Studios 
321 Sixth Street, New Westminster
Cultural Crawl Stop #15
11-5pm 

Come find us. Come in. Come upstairs. Have a wander.

Creativity is in sight.

#BraidStudios #NewWestCulturalCrawl #NWCC2026 #ArtsNW NewWest
BRAID IS READY FOR THE CRAWL! We’ve had our eye o BRAID IS READY FOR THE CRAWL!

We’ve had our eye on this weekend for quite some time. 😉 The artists of Braid Studios have taken over the entrance to our building with a collection of wonderfully weird, colourful, completely one-of-a-kind eyes and we LOVE how it turned out.

This weekend, we’re opening our doors for the New West Cultural Crawl, and there is a LOT happening at Braid.

Come find us at 321 Sixth Street, Stop #15.  Visit the UHaul Rolling Gallery on Blackford right next to the Studios. Come inside to check out our new main floor collaborative Gallery and storefront, and them upstairs to discover artist studios, exhibitions, special projects and a building positively stuffed with creativity.

And yes, the eyes are watching for you. 👁️

October 3 & 4
New West Cultural Crawl
Braid Studios | 321 Sixth Street
11-5pm 

We can’t wait to see you! 

#BraidStudios #NewWestCulturalCrawl #NWCC2026 #ArtsNW NewWest
Introducing the Braid Studios Book Club — books fo Introducing the Braid Studios Book Club — books for creative lives.

For our first seasonal read, we’ll be exploring Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland.

This thoughtful and reassuring book looks at why art gets made, why it sometimes doesn’t—and the very human fears, doubts and difficulties that can cause artists to lose their way.

Hosted by Braid artist Jennie Johnston @jenniejohnstonartist the Book Club will gather every second Wednesday for relaxed, thoughtful conversation about the book and the realities of building and sustaining a creative life.

Our first gathering on October 7 will be an informal meet-and-greet: a chance to meet Jennie and the other members, learn more about the book and settle into the reading journey together.

Wednesdays | 6:30–8:30 PM
October 7 & 21
November 4 & 18
December 2

The complete five-gathering series is free, but advance registration is required and space is limited to 10 participants.

Participants will need their own copy of Art & Fear. A reading schedule will be provided at the first gathering.

Register free through Eventbrite using the link in our bio.
Limited to 10 participants. 

#BraidStudios #NewWest #NewWestminster #BookClub #CreativeCommunity
THE BRAID ROLLING GALLERY IS BACK AND IT’S GROWN. THE BRAID ROLLING GALLERY IS BACK AND IT’S GROWN.

Last year, we rolled art out of the studio and onto the street for the first time.

This year, we’re doing it bigger.

For the 2026 New West Cultural Crawl, four U-Haul trucks will become pop-up galleries along Blackford Street outside Braid Studios, creating an unexpected outdoor art experience right in the heart of New Westminster.

We’re thrilled to welcome back Braid alumni Tony Durke and Iris Mes Low @this.iris.paints and to welcome three artists to the Rolling Gallery for the first time: Tyler Prue @heartfireforge Nickie Lewis @thewizardsmakery and Elina Daoutov @elinadaoutovaart 

Five artists. Four trucks. Five very different creative practices; from painting and sculpture to ceramics and mixed media.

The Braid Rolling Gallery began with a simple idea: when you run out of gallery walls, find more walls.

Or, apparently, rent trucks.

It became one of our favourite parts of last year’s Cultural Crawl, and we’re delighted to bring it back — bigger, bolder and with even more artists.

The Braid Rolling Gallery
Outside Braid Studios on Blackford Street
321 Sixth Street, New Westminster
October 3 & 4, 2026 | 11 AM–5 PM

Come wander the trucks, meet the artists, discover work you haven’t seen before and then head inside Braid Studios, where even more is waiting.

We’re excited to bring this unusual gallery experience back to New Westminster and to share it with art lovers from across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

#NewWestCulturalCrawl #NWCC2026 #ArtsNW #NewWest #uhaulgallery 

Tony Durke 

@this.iris.paints 

@heartfireforge 

@thewizardsmakery 

@elinadaoutovaart
Follow on Instagram

Twitter

braidststudios

Braid St Studios Arts Community

@braidststudios ·
8 Aug 2024

In Studio this weekend. West Coast Creatives Salon. WCCS are a diverse and multidisciplinary artistic community in British Columbia’s lower mainland. They’d love to see your work. August 11 1-3pm

Reply on Twitter 1821635422407270587 Retweet on Twitter 1821635422407270587 Like on Twitter 1821635422407270587 Twitter 1821635422407270587

ADDITIONAL LINKS

New West Cultural Crawl

Arts Council of New West

Twitter

braidststudios

Braid St Studios Arts Community

@braidststudios ·
8 Aug 2024

In Studio this weekend. West Coast Creatives Salon. WCCS are a diverse and multidisciplinary artistic community in British Columbia’s lower mainland. They’d love to see your work. August 11 1-3pm

Reply on Twitter 1821635422407270587 Retweet on Twitter 1821635422407270587 Like on Twitter 1821635422407270587 Twitter 1821635422407270587

Instagram

BRAID OPEN STUDIOS | EVERY FIRST SATURDAY! Missed BRAID OPEN STUDIOS | EVERY FIRST SATURDAY!

Missed the New Westminster Cultural Crawl? Or perhaps you’d love to come back for another look? We’ve been opening our studio doors to the community since 2015, and the tradition continues!

On the first Saturday of every month, we invite you to step inside Braid Studios, explore working artist spaces, meet the artists and discover original artwork. There’s always something new happening behind our studio doors!

This month, you can also explore our Zoom Connections Expanded exhibition, featuring the many creative interpretations of a single photograph.

Whether you’re an art lover, a collector, a fellow creative or simply curious about what happens inside an artist’s studio, we’d love to welcome you.

Saturday, November 7 | 12–4 PM
Braid Studios
321 Sixth Street, New Westminster

Look for our new sign outside! Individual artist hours may vary.

Braid Open Studios happens on the first Saturday of every month. Make it a monthly tradition! Come for the art. Stay for the conversation. 

#BraidStudios #BraidOpenStudios #NewWest #newwestminster #artsnw
So great to see @quaysidev shooting promo videos i So great to see @quaysidev shooting promo videos in the new Black Box in our 2nd floor Salon.  They are prepping for an international concert tour in 2027. 

This new feature in our studio expands the use of the space for video and photography. 

Contact us if you are interested for our rates. 

#braidstudios #blackbox #newwest #newwestminster #artstudio
LOOK WHAT’S HAPPENING AT BRAID! This weekend, Bra LOOK WHAT’S HAPPENING AT BRAID!

This weekend, Braid Studios is opening its doors for the New West Cultural Crawl and we have filled the place with art.

Start with our public art installation-we’ve got our eyes on you!  Then head in to check out all of our spaces on the first and second floors. Meet artists in their spaces. 

We’re also presenting Zoom Connections, bringing together work created across distance and borders, plus our U-Haul Gallery returns to Blackford Street-this year with four trucks and five artists.

There is a LOT to discover at Braid this weekend.

October 3 & 4
Braid Studios 
321 Sixth Street, New Westminster
Cultural Crawl Stop #15
11-5pm 

Come find us. Come in. Come upstairs. Have a wander.

Creativity is in sight.

#BraidStudios #NewWestCulturalCrawl #NWCC2026 #ArtsNW NewWest
BRAID IS READY FOR THE CRAWL! We’ve had our eye o BRAID IS READY FOR THE CRAWL!

We’ve had our eye on this weekend for quite some time. 😉 The artists of Braid Studios have taken over the entrance to our building with a collection of wonderfully weird, colourful, completely one-of-a-kind eyes and we LOVE how it turned out.

This weekend, we’re opening our doors for the New West Cultural Crawl, and there is a LOT happening at Braid.

Come find us at 321 Sixth Street, Stop #15.  Visit the UHaul Rolling Gallery on Blackford right next to the Studios. Come inside to check out our new main floor collaborative Gallery and storefront, and them upstairs to discover artist studios, exhibitions, special projects and a building positively stuffed with creativity.

And yes, the eyes are watching for you. 👁️

October 3 & 4
New West Cultural Crawl
Braid Studios | 321 Sixth Street
11-5pm 

We can’t wait to see you! 

#BraidStudios #NewWestCulturalCrawl #NWCC2026 #ArtsNW NewWest
Introducing the Braid Studios Book Club — books fo Introducing the Braid Studios Book Club — books for creative lives.

For our first seasonal read, we’ll be exploring Art & Fear: Observations on the Perils (and Rewards) of Artmaking by David Bayles and Ted Orland.

This thoughtful and reassuring book looks at why art gets made, why it sometimes doesn’t—and the very human fears, doubts and difficulties that can cause artists to lose their way.

Hosted by Braid artist Jennie Johnston @jenniejohnstonartist the Book Club will gather every second Wednesday for relaxed, thoughtful conversation about the book and the realities of building and sustaining a creative life.

Our first gathering on October 7 will be an informal meet-and-greet: a chance to meet Jennie and the other members, learn more about the book and settle into the reading journey together.

Wednesdays | 6:30–8:30 PM
October 7 & 21
November 4 & 18
December 2

The complete five-gathering series is free, but advance registration is required and space is limited to 10 participants.

Participants will need their own copy of Art & Fear. A reading schedule will be provided at the first gathering.

Register free through Eventbrite using the link in our bio.
Limited to 10 participants. 

#BraidStudios #NewWest #NewWestminster #BookClub #CreativeCommunity
THE BRAID ROLLING GALLERY IS BACK AND IT’S GROWN. THE BRAID ROLLING GALLERY IS BACK AND IT’S GROWN.

Last year, we rolled art out of the studio and onto the street for the first time.

This year, we’re doing it bigger.

For the 2026 New West Cultural Crawl, four U-Haul trucks will become pop-up galleries along Blackford Street outside Braid Studios, creating an unexpected outdoor art experience right in the heart of New Westminster.

We’re thrilled to welcome back Braid alumni Tony Durke and Iris Mes Low @this.iris.paints and to welcome three artists to the Rolling Gallery for the first time: Tyler Prue @heartfireforge Nickie Lewis @thewizardsmakery and Elina Daoutov @elinadaoutovaart 

Five artists. Four trucks. Five very different creative practices; from painting and sculpture to ceramics and mixed media.

The Braid Rolling Gallery began with a simple idea: when you run out of gallery walls, find more walls.

Or, apparently, rent trucks.

It became one of our favourite parts of last year’s Cultural Crawl, and we’re delighted to bring it back — bigger, bolder and with even more artists.

The Braid Rolling Gallery
Outside Braid Studios on Blackford Street
321 Sixth Street, New Westminster
October 3 & 4, 2026 | 11 AM–5 PM

Come wander the trucks, meet the artists, discover work you haven’t seen before and then head inside Braid Studios, where even more is waiting.

We’re excited to bring this unusual gallery experience back to New Westminster and to share it with art lovers from across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland.

#NewWestCulturalCrawl #NWCC2026 #ArtsNW #NewWest #uhaulgallery 

Tony Durke 

@this.iris.paints 

@heartfireforge 

@thewizardsmakery 

@elinadaoutovaart
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