Francis Collins
Artist, house painter, builder, developer, artist -- Francis Collins has reinvented himself more than once, with a consistent passion for, and interest in creativity.
Art has always been a priority and with his recent sculptures, we see how his visions merge into colorful grids and waves that blend balance and symmetry into order and chaos.
Francis was born in 1943 and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
At a young age, he was determined to be taken seriously as an artist.
He attended Carnegie Institute of Technology graduating in 1967 and majored in art.
As an undergraduate, he did a lot of drawing and painting while perfecting his craftsmanship in a variety of mediums.
However, the west coast called to him and he decided the best place to be an artist was free thinking California.
He went to graduate school in art at the University of California at Berkeley.
Francis met his wife Erin while at school in Berkeley.
After getting married and starting a family, he made his living by painting houses.
This allowed him to not only make money, but also do super graphics; large wall paintings that clients commissioned.
It gave him a chance to draw, which he loved doing and was very good at. He started to design decks and kitchens for his clients.
Now with three children, he began building and designing houses and eventually office complexes.
He was making money and having fun. Francis began to buy buildings and fix them up with great success.
He founded the company that still exists today, "Dream Builders".
Several of these projects were award winning and can be seen in magazines, books, and newspapers.
His business as a builder was very successful. It took 25 years to develop but at the age of 55 Francis and Erin were ready for a change.
He bought land in Sonoma, built the house of his dreams, turned the business over to his children and now has returned to making art full time.
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