Hi, I’m Anthony Franklin. I’m a visual artist and arts leader with over a decade of experience building programs, exhibitions, and partnerships that connect artists with communities across Iowa. I’m passionate about fostering collaboration among artists, educators, and organizations to make the arts more accessible and impactful. As president of the Iowa Artists Organization, I work to create statewide opportunities for artists, including workshops, exhibitions, and partnerships that support creative growth. I enjoy mentoring, teaching workshops, and helping studios and communities thrive through thoughtful leadership and active engagement.…

Anthony Franklin

Hi, I’m Anthony Franklin. I’m a visual artist and arts leader with over a decade of experience building programs, exhibitions, and partnerships that connect artists with communities across Iowa. I’m passionate about fostering collaboration among artists, educators, and organizations to make the arts more accessible and impactful. As president of the Iowa Artists Organization, I work to create statewide opportunities for artists, including workshops, exhibitions, and partnerships that support creative growth. I enjoy mentoring, teaching workshops, and helping studios and communities thrive through thoughtful leadership and active engagement.…

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Anthony Franklin. I’m a visual artist and arts leader with over a decade of experience building programs, exhibitions, and partnerships that connect artists with communities across Iowa. I’m passionate about fostering collaboration among artists, educators, and organizations to make the arts more accessible and impactful.

As president of the Iowa Artists Organization, I work to create statewide opportunities for artists, including workshops, exhibitions, and partnerships that support creative growth. I enjoy mentoring, teaching workshops, and helping studios and communities thrive through thoughtful leadership and active engagement.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

President at Iowa Artists Organization
January 1, 2023 - November 17, 2025
Provide statewide leadership for a nonprofit arts organization supporting hundreds of Iowa artists. Oversee planning and execution of annual art shows, workshops, and educational programming. Manage partnerships, communications, and membership engagement initiatives. Serve as organizational spokesperson and advocate for the visual arts community.
Vice President at Iowa Artists Organization
January 1, 2023 - January 1, 2023
Supported program development and logistics for regional and statewide events. Assisted in strategic planning, board coordination, and membership outreach. Strengthened artist networks through collaboration and mentoring opportunities.
Freelance Artist / Illustrator at Self-employed
January 1, 2000 - November 17, 2025
Partnered with studios, companies, and nonprofit organizations to produce advertising, visual campaigns, and creative materials. Contributed to numerous independent comic studios for over 15 years, specializing in visual storytelling and illustration. Continue to create fine art works exhibited in regional galleries and featured in publications.
Freelance Artist / Illustrator
January 1, 2000 - November 17, 2025
Partnered with studios, companies, and nonprofit organizations to produce advertising, visual campaigns, and creative materials. Contributed to numerous independent comic studios for over 15 years, specializing in visual storytelling and illustration. Continue to create fine art works exhibited in regional galleries and publications.

Education

Associate Studies – Fine Arts & Design at Carl Sandburg College
January 11, 2030 - November 17, 2025
Bachelor of Arts in Human Studies at Iowa Wesleyan College
January 11, 2030 - November 17, 2025
Associate of Arts at Southeastern Community College
January 11, 2030 - November 17, 2025
Associate Studies – Fine Arts & Design at Carl Sandburg College
January 11, 2030 - November 17, 2025

Qualifications

Add your qualifications or awards here.

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Non-Profit Organization, Education, Professional Services
    uniE621 The Norns Are Calling
    This is a 19" x 24" charcoal drawing of my son. I took a photo, then used my knowledge of Norse mythology and my study of chiaroscuro. It has been published and shown in several exhibitions. charcoal artist fineart…
    uniE621 Dracula
    This is a 19" x 24" charcoal drawing of my son. I took a photo, then used my knowledge of Norse mythology and my study of chiaroscuro. It has been published and shown in an exhibition and publication. This portrait pairs Bela Lugosi’s commanding, shadow-cut presence of Dracula with Helen Chandler’s poised, luminous, sedated innocence. The sharp contrasts reveal a striking juxtaposition—his dark, magnetic intensity set against her grace, vulnerability, and moral clarity. Together, they evoke the tension between seduction and virtue that defined their iconic on-screen dynamic. The tenebrosity style fits perfectly in this scene. This contemporary interpretation bridges myth and modernity, asking the viewer to consider what it now means to challenge the myths and legends and pay the price for curiosity. photo illustrator designer…
    uniE621 The Bride
    This is a 19" x 24" charcoal drawing of this tenebrous portrait centered on a poised, luminous figure emerging from deep shadow, inspired by the dramatic aura associated with Elsa Lanchester’s iconic roles. Light grazes her features and shoulder, creating an elegant tension between fragility and power. The high-contrast chiaroscuro heightens her intensity, while the soft gradients in the shadows lend the piece a haunting, cinematic stillness. Her upward gaze and sculptural hair silhouette evoke resilience, mystique, and a sense of uneasy awakening. photo graphicdesigner artist…
    uniE621 Modern Prometheus
    This is a 19" x 24" charcoal drawing of "Modern Prometheus” that reimagines the myth through dramatic tenebrism. I read Mary Shelly's book and watched the movie, and I wanted to draw the essence of the "Monster". The figure emerges from deep shadow into sharp, revealing light, capturing the tension between creation and consequence. Strong contrasts, expressive textures, and a restrained palette highlight themes of ambition, sacrifice, and the cost of enlightenment in a modern context. photo illustrator artist graphicdesigner…
    uniE621 The Curse
    This is a 19" x 24" charcoal drawing.. I watched the original movie and drew inspiration from it, then used my knowledge of Egyptian mythology and language. It has been published and shown in an exhibition and publication. This drawing of “The Mummy” is a powerful example of Tenebrism, where darkness dominates the paper. The monochromatic scene features a mummy-Imhotep emerging from or resting within a symbolically carved sarcophagus. I added the curse to those who opened the tomb, and the lower set from the Book of Thoth as the curse to Imhotep for leaving his resting place. It is rendered with a single, harsh light source that dramatically isolates and illuminates his face and upper body. The successful application of Tenebrism elevates the image beyond mere illustration, imbuing it with a palpable sense of psychological intensity and dread, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of classic horror. graphicdesigner webdesigner designer illustrator artist…
    uniE621 The Wolfman
    This is a 19" x 24" charcoal drawing of "The Wolfman 1941” that plunges the viewer into a tense moment of transformation. The sharp contrasts between light and darkness heighten the struggle between man, Larry Talbot, and the monster within, while expressive textures emphasize fear, instinct, and duality. The tenebrist style amplifies the psychological drama at the heart of this classic creature. This was part of my series "The Classic Horror Monsters". designer artist conceptartist graphicdesigner illustrator…
    uniE621 Fader Ice Fishing
    This is a 19" x 24" charcoal drawing of my friend Fader. His passion for fishing is legendary among those who know him. While ice fishing in North Dakota, he took this selfie photo. Upon seeing this, I knew it captured his passion for fishing. So I wanted to capture the essence of it. It has been published and shown in several exhibitions. charcoal artist fineart…
    uniE621 Clint Eastwood @ 93
    This is a 19" x 24" charcoal drawing of Clint Eastwood at his 93rd birthday. I took a photo, then used my study of chiaroscuro to render this softer version of the reference. It has been published and shown in several exhibitions. charcoal artist fineart…
    uniE621 Calum's Love
    This is a 19" x 24" charcoal drawing of my grandson, his mother and my son. I used a photo, my study of chiaroscuro, and the use of charcoal powder and brush to create the subtle variations of values. It has been published and shown in several exhibitions. charcoal artist fineart photo…
    uniE621 Teamwork
    This is a 28" x 44" charcoal drawing of two draft horses from a local Amish farmer. I took a photo, trying to capture their ability to work as one unit to pull loads. Then used my study of chiaroscuro to create the balance of light and dark. It has been published and shown in several exhibitions and won a blue ribbon in tthee Iowa Artists State Show. charcoal artist fineart photo…
    uniE621 Night Watch
    This is a 30" x 40" charcoal drawing on paper of a Great Eurasian Eagle Owl. I used several reference photos to build an image that I felt exemplified the qualities I love in owls, then used my knowledge and study of chiaroscuro to build this piece. It has been published and shown in several exhibitions and won a people's choice award in 2023. charcoal artist fineart…
    uniE621 Amur Cub
    This is a 24" x 36" charcoal drawing on canvas of an Amur Leopard Cub. I used a wet charcoal method that I developed myself. I have a strong passion for conservation. It has been published and shown in several exhibitions, including the Las Laguna Art Gallery, the Iowa State Fair, the Iowa Artists State Show, Gallerium 2025 Group Exhibition. It has been published in Artistonish - January 2022. The Gallerium 2025 December issue charcoal artist fineart…