Francesca grew up in the Dominican Republic in the home of taekwondo entrepreneurs. Her childhood was spent traveling the island with her parents, taking in the massive landscapes. All her grandmothers and great grandmothers were seamstresses, some owning small storefronts, others making taekwondo uniforms, and others working in textile factories upon migration to the United States. Fibers are now an integral part of Escoto's pieces.

As the oldest of five children and an immigrant, she has overcome many economic and social barriers, building a resilient spirit that cannot be easily broken. She completed a degree in Industrial Engineering at WPI, and her first collection, "Interwoven", was released in the summer of 2024.

Francesca considers herself a serial social entrepreneur, leading organizations and projects that make our world and our government more humane. She works with nonprofits that promote inclusion, historic preservation, and economic development. Her commitment to social justice looks like a celebration of world cultures and places in her art. Her expertise has been on the stages and pages of MIT Media Lab, Berklee College of Music, WPI, Small Business Anti-Displacement Network, Main Street America, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, and more.

Today, she lives with her three daughters, husband, her mom, and her dog in Tampa, FL, where she continues to be inspired by landscapes and joyful people.

“I like to work in series. By the time I start a painting, all the composition and color palette details have been resolved. I work fast through the underpainting, using large tools to depict movement and energy.
I take my time with the thread and needle. I absolutely love the way it forces me to slow down and focus on my subjects. It is a welcome rest from the violent speed at which I paint. Stitched patterns connect to my own Afro-Caribbean roots and five generations of women in my family.

At this point, gold leaf might make its way unto the canvas, but my delight is the gloss medium. I use different techniques to apply it, always looking for patterns that will emerge at different vantage points. Just like it happens with people, paintings make a first impression, but my art also invites you to take a second look. At times, it will make you want to get close, touch and engage your senses. The final layer is oil glazes. They add depth and richness that acrylics alone can never do. Glazes remind me of amber, a stone produced in the Dominican Republic where I spent my childhood.”

You can view or purchase her art in our dining room gallery

Visit francesca’s website for more information