Upper Haight’s best
Arise, Sirene, Harper the Label, Lovely’s, Quail & Condor, Oxide Collective, Co Nam, Treebones, MORE
WORK • Wednesday Routine
Brushed off
HANNAH FRANCO • artist
Neighborhood you work in: West Oakland
It’s Wednesday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
I’m a big movement person so I always start my day out with exercise. I’ve been really into light lifting at home, Pilates X Core, or yoga at Arise, where I also teach. This is critical so I can keep lugging my larger paintings around. It also brings me into my body first thing in the morning, so I can really feel into my work.
Some mornings, I head to Sirene for coffee and meet with some other creative friends, and sometimes, I just dive right into it and get to the studio. I mostly paint to music; I’ve been obsessing over Fred Again lately or the podcast Articles of Interest. I’ll paint for hours, take a small break for emails, calls, collector studio visits or dropping off work at my gallery Slate Contemporary on College Ave. in Oakland, and then get back to painting.
The best hours in my studio, and when I feel the most productive are 2-6p; the light is just so dreamy around 3-4p. I’ve also started having a few other artist friends over weekly to work on their projects in the evening in my space, have a glass of wine (from Oakland Yard) and share critiques.
What’s on the agenda for today?
I’m working on pieces for Slate Contemporary’s booth at the San Francisco Art Fair next month, and some pieces for my solo show at Slate in September, as well as work for the Oxide Collective show in October in San Francisco. The Oxide Collective is very dear to me. It’s a women’s artist collective that moves around the city every year. It’s always adding other up-and-coming artists and it’s completely artist-run. I’m also working on a few fun commissions.
Any restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
I have a few spots I love to frequent as I’ve been in the Bay for 20 years. Without a doubt, I have a weekly date at Lovely’s. They have the best burgers in town and some nice natural wine. Coffee at Sirene is a must; it’s the perfect spot to casually bump into all my people. If you haven’t had the pleasure of grabbing a pastry at Forma, go get it! Co Nam is a hidden gem in Oakland. Their roti has me in a chokehold and their basa fish clay pot is a go-to. I used to live right up the street from Ordinare when it opened and it’s still my favorite natural wine bar. Tallboy is my neighborhood bar — the energy of that place is just so fun. The breakfast sandwiches at Pizzaiolo have me going every Saturday morning
How about a little leisure or culture?
I went to an incredible Fred Again show at the Cow Palace. I love going to the monthly gallery openings at Minnesota Street Project. I was recently on Bad Art, which is an incredible comedy show/artist interview; it’s so honest, funny and vulnerable. Queer Magic is one of my fave local dance parties; it’s just such a sweet energy.
Any weekend getaways?
Big Sur is the most magical place. Treebones camping is a favorite of mine. There is something about the wild California coastline that feels otherworldly. I’m planning a weekend getaway to the North Block Hotel in Yountville. They also currently have my work up on display so if you’re in the area, go check it out. I have a major design crush on Sea Ranch Lodge — I love the architecture and the wilderness. It has such a sense of serene power. I’m also a big fan of hot springs. I’ve tried them all. Harbin is a favorite of mine, so is Orr.
What was your last great vacation?
It’s got to be Greece. I was recently in Milos with the crazy talented photographer Kirby Stenger. Milos in October is incredible. It’s so peaceful and quiet. The best spots to eat there were Medusa and O! Hamos! Taverna.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
I recently bought this outrageous side table and I’m obsessed.
I also recently bought this stunning handmade sling bag from local Oakland designer Harper the Label. It’s so special to get to support other local female artisans making gorgeous work.
As an artist, I love my hands and I’m constantly decorating them with rings. I love Amanda Hunt — she’s an incredible Petaluma-based jeweler. My favorite earrings are from Third Reasons, a super talented LA-based Ukrainian designer.
Lastly, I make a yearly pilgrimage to Velour and I recently bought this incredible Rohé suit. I’ve always loved sewing, and when I see tailoring that good, I just lose my mind; it’s such incredible wearable art.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Understory in Oakland is my most frequented shop. I love their unisex clothing and the quality and design are so next level. Erica Tanov — if you haven’t shopped at her Berkeley atelier, you’re missing some magic. Also, she is the only one selling my art perfume collaboration with Carmen Rose Perfumery.
Where are you donating your time or money?
I just auctioned off a piece to raise money for Migrant Freedom and I also donate to Black Lives Matter.
WORK LINKS: Are you working for your Apple Watch? • Out: trend reports • You’re not crushing it unless you have a podcast • So far, AI isn’t lightening workloads. It’s making them more intense • America now has more spas and gyms than stores selling actual stuff.
RESTAURANTS • The Nines
Dining, Upper Haight
FOUND’s 9 favorite restaurants in the neighborhood. See also: Chinatown, Castro, Inner Sunset, Noe Valley, Inner Richmond, Outer Richmond.
Magnolia Brewing, historic hippie space turned heritage brewery, brunch to late-night, under new local ownership, walk-ins only