Conversations with Francesca Eidaks

Today we’d like to introduce you to Francesca Eidaks.

Hi Francesca, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Ever since I was able to hold a pencil, creating has always been my safe haven. I practically grew up in a nail salon that my grandparents started 30 years ago, which was passed down to my aunt and my mom. My mom and her family immigrated from Vietnam with the intention of creating a safe and stable life for themselves. Although I have always taken an interest in art and nails while growing up, having a career in nails or in any creative field was never an option. My family only prioritized academic achievement, and to them it was the only path for success.

During my senior year of high school, I got accepted to my dream school UCLA. Before I could settle on a dorming option, the covid-19 pandemic caused my plans to come to a screeching halt. During this time I went through a period of self-reflection. I was upset that I wasn’t able to continue my education with the same momentum I had when graduating high school and I felt my drive and ambition for a college degree slowly declining. Looking back, I am actually very grateful for this forced pause of life because it gave me the opportunity to spend more time with my mom. She was in her third year of battling stage 4 ovarian cancer.

My mom and I would bring home supplies from the shop, and we’d sit for hours doing our nails. I would stay up all night practicing different designs and my mom would come in and check up on me even if was 3 am. My skills as an artist progressed during the pandemic as I was able to focus more on them. My mom’s health on the other hand only got worse. To help ease my mind, I started to paint on canvases. My first painting was a portrait of a women. I used a knife painting technique and vibrant acrylic paints to give an expressive and contemporary feel. My reference photo was of a painting someone did that I found online, but when I finished it and unveiled it to my family, they were shocked as it seemed to end up resembling my mom.

Sadly my mom did not get to see my finished painting, and after her passing, I was not in a good mental space. I would submerge myself in my work and later in school to keep busy and distract myself from my reality. It’s been a little over two years since her passing and I have been able to work on my mental health thanks to the support of family and friends.

I was given the opportunity to pursue nails professionally at my aunt’s nail salon. I started my Instagram account for my nails about two years ago and slowly began attracting new clients. My books started to become filled and my clients were becoming more open to experimental nail art. Nails were no longer just a service to me, but rather, wearable art. My clients also became one of my biggest supporters of my art and helping me heal mentally. I started to gain confidence in my art and began to start painting again and ended up commissioning several paintings. The thought of becoming a full-time artist became more prevalent and more possible with every passing client. I started experimenting with structure and different media in nail art by combining 3d techniques with precise nail care. I’m grateful that I have the opportunity to create bonds with my clients and be a part of their lives and journeys. I continue to hone in on my craft and work both on nail art and paintings. I realized that life has no direct path, nor is a person restricted to one career choice.

Art can be displayed on any medium if the artist is truly passionate about their creations. I do not restrict myself to being only a painter or only a nail tech, but I am a creator, which allows me endless opportunities to create art. I am working on series of paintings, while also working on a brand too create press-on editorial nails. I know my mom is guiding me from above and cheering me on through every turn of the way. I continue to create to inspire others and encourage everyone to become their own artist.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life has not been the smoothest road to travel down, but when is life not. Coming from a divorce family life was always a bit different from everyone else. I lived with my mom and grew up very close to her side of the family. I got to see my dad every week which I absolutely love and am very thankful for. My mom was truly my best friend and when she got diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer, my world was shaken. She was my foundation. She was an aesthetician at my grandparent’s salon, but after 20 years of owning the same salon, the lease owners sold our lease to another renter right before the pandemic started. All my family’s hard work for 20 years was gone in a month. We struggled to find a new salon location, but as we struggled through the pandemic, so did my mom. The worst part of the pandemic was that whenever my mom would have to get rushed to the ER, we were not able to accompany her.

My mom would be all alone in City of Hope with no one beside her to help her get through the treatments. My mom would request for ground-level rooms, so that she may have a chance to see us in person through the window when we would drive up to visit her and drop off food. Seeing my mom try to hold up her strong spirit during her darkest time was the hardest thing for me to witness. I was 18 when my mom passed, and although 18 signifies adulthood, I never wished more to be a little kid again lying in my mom’s bed. For a long time I felt a heavy blanket of anxiety and pressure over me because I felt that I was the only thing left representing my mom, and that I would never live up to who she was or who she wanted to be. I struggled with depression and I still do, but with the help of my friends and family and the ability to create art, I am able to heal.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am an artist that specializes in nail art, while also commissioning paintings. As I continue my nail art, I am known for creating 3D designs and editorial nails. I use different materials such a clays and chrome powder to add structure and texture to the nail and breaking the barrier of 2D nail art. I challenge myself by allowing to downsize my work to fit on natural nails and nail extensions. As much as I pride myself in my nail art, I also focus on the overall nail care of my clients and helping them reach their nail goals. I research daily to expand what is possible for nail art, often looking to nair artists around the world or to nature. I like to be versatile with my clients, which I believe sets me apart from other salon and or nail techs because I know everyone has different preferences. At the end of the day, I am honored to be presented the opportunity to share my art with my clients and to whomever they meet. I like to be a safe space where they can come and act as if they were getting coffee with their friend rather than going to a random place for a service.

How do you define success?
Success is not a defined place in my mind but rather an ever-changing checkpoint. I don’t believe in a singular success or an overall success. Success to me is creating opportunity and with every taken opportunity is a success. As long as I am surrounded by people I love and continue growing, I count that as success.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nailzbyfrancesca/

Image Credits
Francesca Eidaks IG: Nailzbyfrancesca IG: Francescaeidaks