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Franco the Great
story by: Chaniqua Green and Matthew Martin   photos by: Malik Wilson

 

"You name it he paints it" is Franco the great's slogan.

He paints murals, restaurants, gates, (on 125th St) nightclubs, churches, trucks, mosaic mirrors, velvets, canvas, and black light effects. He's painted in Harlem for over twenty years and has been painting worldwide for ten years. Franco The Great has a postive way of thinking. When he first started people thought the work he did was grafitti, but he didn't let that stop him. He says "Once I have a chance, I procede with it.'' He does all of his paintings for free because he loves to paint.

He speaks five languages, including English. At one point in his life he couldn't speak at all becasue when he was about two in a half years old, he fell out of the window and lost his voice. He did not speak again until he was twelve years old. When he learned magic he spoke his first word "Suzzana''.

"Like all black people are,'' Franco's ancestors are from Africa. He was born in Panama. Growing up he was called a dummy because of his handicap. To prove his doubters wrong he started drawing. The first character he ever drew was Hitler. He believes if you have an idea you should take it and run with it. His first painting on a gate was of a tree. He had been in Harlem for 40 years and he wanted to bloom, and that's what the tree was for. He has had people destroy his work. The question "How do you sell yourself?", was asked to him, he answered, "Give yourself''.

"Inch by Inch and everythings a sinch.'' Is how he feels about life. He painted a picture of police that stated "We are here when you need us.'' "Nobody would ever think of such a thing,'' he said.

Franco The Great has two favorite paintings, one is of three people walking toward the world. They are all of different colors black, yellow, and white. It's like everyone in the world uniting, with no racism. And the other is called "Think Postive''.

Franco The Great has an incredible painting of a boy crying, the tear looks as if someone actually dropped water on it. That was one of my favorites. I think Franco The Great has a wonderful talent, and he should keep on painting.

 

 

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