Skies are Limitless with Artist Frankie Sims

Frankie Sims has been an artist most of her life, but she hasn't always been aware of this truth. Her adventures have taken her from the beaches of Southern California, to the shores of Hawaii, the desert of Nevada and the heartlands of Texas. However, Boise, Idaho has become the gallery of Frankie's artistic galaxy.

At a young age, thanks to a wonderful art teacher she fell in love with the art of mixing colors together to find new shades under the sun. When looking back at her art journey Frankie commented, “I fell in love with art and became serious about it as a pre-teen”. Art has stuck with Frankie her entire life and continues to find new avenues.

She found much of her inspiration looking into the sky with her mind in the clouds. She then developed a palette for abstract art and added vibrance via a digital interface. “I’m currently involved in making art through photography. I take pictures that I then enhance using various artistic means. The upshot is work that I love. I love the photography which mostly is of the sun, the moon, and clouds. I love the design work and the color work and the painting. The painting is done digitally, but I am reminded to let you know that it is not AI, it is me”. When observing Frankie’s art one will be stuck with vibrance and attention to detail.

Frankie didn't always think that putting a brush to the canvas could become a lifestyle, but in 2020 some of Frankie's co workers encouraged her to lean into her obvious abilities. When she met Candy Canning (Founder of Catalyst Art Collaborative), Frankie realized she'd come home and found a space to house her art. By seeking out community at Catalyst Arts Collaborative, and networking with other artists in the Treasure Valley, Frankie's artistic circles have grown.

In experiencing the Catalyst Art Collective for the first time Frankie remembered, “I walked in and it was the same kind of acceptance and love. If you don’t reach out you're just likely to sit on your hands. It’s less likely people are going to reach out to a stranger the stranger needs to reach out”. Frankie is no stranger to making a way for herself.

Frankie stresses the importance of having the courage to pursue one's artist life.

“After meeting Candy Canning and getting support from her I needed and from Catalyst, I started reaching out and exploring the larger artists community (in the Treasure Valley). I started finding a way to go to events and to meet people and see art locally and that's how I’ve gotten involved in shows”. It just goes to show what happens when one is brave in stepping into their art calling.

Currently, three of Frankie’s more abstract photographic-art pieces are in an exhibit at the Nampa Civic Center. With help from the artist Vega, two photo-art pieces were made into posters for Boise Pride. She had a watercolor-on-canvas painting just recently on display at the Riverside Hotel, judged into the Treasure Valley Artist’s Association’s annual show, OPUS. Another watercolor painting made a guest appearance at the Idaho Watercolor Society’s big show, also at the Riverside Hotel, earlier this year. Next year at this time, Frankie will be the Artist-of-the-Month at Saint Alphonsus Medical Center down the road. The 12 artists who will each take turns on the hospital’s art wall in 2026, were just announced. And right now, a very colorful photographic piece, “Midnight Sun” has gone on display at the Initial Point Gallery in Meridian.

When reminiscing on what the community at Catalyst Art Collaborative has meant to Frankie she commented, “The Catalyst Art Collaborative is a place for sharing, giving, and supporting”. If you are wanting to check out some of Frankie's art work, stop by the Catalyst Art Collaborative gift shop on Ustick in Boise or visit the website for more information: https://www.catalystartscollaborative.com/