Margaux Franke

As a young lady I remember spending time with my grandmother who always reminded me that having a creative mind and an output for all of those ideas keeps you very busy. I grew up in the Midwest, painting rocks and taking art classes at the Milwaukee Art Museum. I was drawn to anything creative and had an eye for color. I knew what I liked and what I didn’t.

I learned that it was much more fun to spend the school day in the dark room than it was to be in class. My passion for art was fed even more as I attended MIAD (Milwaukee Institute Of Art & Design). I started my first semester thinking a double major in Photography and Sculpture was the perfect path for me. I was soon overwhelmed with all of the opportunity that was in front of me and ended up graduating with a BFA in Industrial Design. The best of everything I loved wrapped up in one.

After college I felt the need to see what California was all about. I just knew the weather was great, the opportunity was rich in design and that my parents said “NO”. So that is where I needed to be. A one way ticket on my dads credit card and ambition fueled an experience I could never have imagined. I am who I am because of what I accomplished making those decisions. Everyday I am thankful for having that drive and making it happen.

After 24 years in the corporate design realm traveling the world and managing design teams, I am now a Middle School and High School Digital Art/Photography Teacher. This new found second career has afforded me precious time with my young boys and my husband during the summers.