Fab Cow - Francis & Bernie
It started with…
In 2013, Francis Leavey and his partner, Bernie Cryan, were ready to begin a new chapter in their lives and wanted to start a business that they both felt passionate about and that was meaningful to them. And, like all great business ideas, it started with a sketch on a napkin.
They had lots of ideas that went back and forth, but when Fran grabbed a napkin and sketched out a picture to represent ‘encouragement’, they knew they were on to something.
It was the beginning of a business that would allow their creative talents to flourish but in a way that gave comfort, encouragement, and a smile to all who might look upon their art.
How Now Fab Cow?
The name Fab Cow? Bernie explains: “Well, the 'Fab' comes from Fran and Bernie. The 'cow' part we can't remember exactly why we chose it but there was wine involved, and we agreed that we didn't know anyone who ever had a bad word to say about a cow they'd met.” A hint at the fun personality of the Fab Cow duo.
First Steps
They set to work to bring their ideas to life and three days later found themselves with a handful of framed prints, a homemade sign, and a pile of nerves at a local market in Malahide, Dublin.
“We'd love to say that people were queuing and fighting over the prints, but it wasn't quite a fairytale start,” says Fran. “We did sell, and we did receive lots of encouragement but, the truth was, we were trying to second guess what people would like rather than producing work that we liked. The napkin sketch wasn't even considered for one of our prints. So, we went back and looked again at that sketch to see what it was really telling us.”
A Sunday morning sketch of Dublin’s Halfpenny Bridge
Fran & Bernie: “The work means so much to us.”
Shortly after that experience Fran locked himself away for a few days. When he reappeared (unshaven and in need of a shower) he was armed with a number of drawings that reflected his own experience of life in a voice that was truly his own. That's when we knew Fab Cow by Francis Leavey was born.
From the Heart
“Every piece of art we produce comes from life experience and from the heart,” says Fran. “The sentiment behind the work is authentic and we believe that's why it resonates with others. The work means so much to us and we hope that anyone who receives a piece of our art feels the same way.”
Inspired by Ireland
…and who wouldn’t be?
Fran never leaves the house without his sketch pad. He is constantly inspired by the world around him whether it’s a walk up Grafton Street in Dublin on a Saturday morning or a trip to the Irish countryside. The chalk, pencil, pen, and paint are always to hand – transforming sketches into award-winning art with his signature contemporary style. At Baileo, we particularly love his Inspired by Ireland collection as well as the Minimalist range, his single line drawings where the pen never leaves the paper.
The elegance and simplicity of Fran’s single line technique is incredible to see…
In the Inspired by Ireland collection, Fran has depicted some of his favorite places and landmarks.
“Ireland, for its small size, is a country of vast and varied beauty and it’s impossible not to feel inspired no matter where you find yourself,” says Fran. The ‘Fab’ team hope that the collection and the work resonate as much with you as it does with them. And we do too.
Fran’s drawings and paintings are truly unique, with each piece named, signed and numbered for authenticity, and available framed and unframed.
We’re delighted to partner with Fab and the unknown cow. And we agree, who ever had a bad word to say about a cow?!
