Episode 103: Interview with Franck De Las Mercedes

What does it mean to rise from the ashes—literally—and turn tragedy into vibrant, thought-provoking art? In this episode, we sit down with Franck De Las Mercedes, a Nicaraguan-born, New York-based visual artist whose work blends abstract expressionism, digital collage, street photography, and cultural heritage into powerful, multi-layered pieces.Franck opens up about the devastating fire that destroyed everything he owned and how that loss inspired his latest series, “Contil”—named after the Nicaraguan word for soot. He shares how surviving the fire and rediscovering old digital archives allowed him to breathe new life into his work, reimagining past creations through a modern, multidisciplinary lens.🎧 Listen now to hear:🔥 How surviving a fire changed Franck’s life—and his art🖼️ The inspiration and process behind the “Contil” series🌆 What it’s like creating in New York City’s cultural chaos🎨 The fusion of analog painting, street photography, and digital collage📚 How Franck educated himself in art by spending years in the New York Public Library💬 Advice for aspiring artists on creativity, discipline, and turning passion into purposeIf you love stories of artistic reinvention, visual storytelling, and cultural resilience, this episode is not to be missed.📲 CONNECT WITH FRANCK DE LAS MERCEDES:🌐 Website: https://www.fdlmstudio.com📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fdlmstudio🖼️ Visit his studio at Art on the Ave NYC – 98 E. 4th Street, East Village, NYC🔗 CONNECT WITH SAVOIR FAIRE:🌐 Website: https://www.savfaire.com📲 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/savfairemag/📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Savfairemag🎧 Like, subscribe, and tell us which part of Franck’s journey spoke to you most!📩 Want to suggest a guest or be featured? Email us at [email protected]