Francine M. D’Antuono
Francine D’Antuono was born in Montgomery County, Maryland and has resided in the Washington, DC area all her life. A graduate of the University of Maryland in 1979 with a degree in fine art and applied design, she has enjoyed a long successful career as an illustrator and graphic designer. Her inspiration has always been driven by the natural world and the places she travels. Francine’s images and graphics have appeared commercially nationwide in zoos, aquariums, and museum shops.
In 2005, Francine and her husband embarked on a mid-life quest. After purchasing a parcel of land in the agricultural reserve of western Montgomery County they built their dream home and named it Fernwood. Upon settling into horse country, at 50 years of age, Francine got back in the saddle and behind the easel after years of absence. Her experience with horses provides inspiration. Their markings, movement, and attitude greatly influence her images. Wildlife, wood and plant life are frequent subjects that she approaches with a subtle sense of whimsy. Francine’s main medium is Gouache (opaque watercolors) and acrylics usually in large scale on fine heavyweight watercolor paper and clay board. Her palette is rich in earth tones.
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Fernwood Designs is a two-part business Francine shares with her husband, Richard Grenier. Richard is an accomplished fine woodworker and opened Fernwood Designs Fine Woodworking after moving to the countryside. He often collaborates with Francine and handcrafts frames of exotics wood, individually designed for her paintings.
Francine and Rich share their home with Garcia and Cha Cha, their rescue Chow mix dogs, and two "Puma" cats Hugger and Joey, who oversee daily operations.
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