Francine Dunigan on Bold Collage, Gel Printing, and Advocating for Your Health
Host Wendy Solganik introduces Francine Dunigan as a newFodder School 6 teacher and mixed media artist known for vibrant, graphic collage using found papers, painted papers, and gel prints. Francine, based in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, shares her BFA background in communication design from Kutztown University, her shift toward fine art and fiber studies during a semester abroad in England, and how design principles shaped her visual style. She describes discovering gel printing through artists like Elizabeth St. Hilaire, creating marketable wall art and selling at local art shows, and designing stencils for Joggles. Francine discusses the complexity of resin finishing, her goals to teach more classes, and her experience navigatingendometrial cancer treatment, emphasizing self-advocacy and how art and journaling supported her during recovery. She previews teaching fussy-cut pear collage in Fodder School. 00:00 Meet Francine Dunigan 02:05 Podcast Premise 03:27 Joining Fodder School 06:51 From Gel Prints to Collage 08:33 Roots and Art School 10:56 Design Skills and Marketing 14:49 High School Art Foundations 19:52 Making Time as a Mom 21:42 Discovering Gel Printing 24:03 Selling at Art Fairs 31:56 Pricing and Originals 37:07 Health Scare and Advocacy 47:54 Art as Healing 48:49 Art Through Chemo 49:44 Hope After Clear Scans 50:20 Tennis During Treatment 51:48 Mindfulness Art Journals 52:42 New Stencil Line 55:48 Fodder School Pears 59:00 Using Tissue Layers 01:00:03 Resin Reality Check 01:06:00 Bigger Work Experiments 01:07:52 Color Inspiration Stories 01:10:39 Teaching Goals Ahead 01:17:23 Fodder School Live Event 01:19:34 Quilts From Your Designs 01:22:01 Closing Thanks
