By Lora Oehlberg

Photo Courtesy of Jean Packard

Town Crier Editorial Intern

Though she started out as a business major, Francine Markoe knew that business wasn’t for her. She began taking art lessons 38 years ago, once her children began to go to school on their own. After studying art at Foothill College, Markoe began producing and selling her own art at local galleries.

Perhaps there is something left of that business major, however, since Markoe’s latest venture is good business, for both her and for her customers. Nine of Markoe’s paintings are currently displayed at Jocco’s restaurant in Los Altos. If a painting strikes them, the customer can purchase it directly from the artist herself.

“Jocco’s does not take commission. You just exhibit since you’re decorating the restaurant. They have lovely art every month, so you’re not paying for the gallery commission. People can call the artist directly,” Markoe said.

Jocco’s owners, Jamie and Meredith Carpenter, are known for supporting local artists and letting them exhibit work in the restaurant two months at a time.

“I happened to notice that every time I ate there, there was different art there. I submitted a portfolio to them, they liked it, and they said that I could have August and September,” Markoe said.

Among the nine paintings at Jocco’s are “Waves of Glory,” showing breaking waves and the powerful dynamics of the ocean, “Action in Space,” which uses wine and bronze colors to create a feeling of the majestic universe, and “Glorious Landscape,” showing a red sunset.

The paintings are priced $2,750, $2,800 and $3,800, respectively.

Markoe has lived in Los Altos Hills for more than 30 years.

She works from a studio at her home, which she describes as “overlooking beautiful trees.”

“Nature is definitely my inspiration. My painting reflect the nature such as desert, mountains, sky and ocean,” Markoe said.

She has developed a style of painting that uses mixed media and acrylic on canvas to emphasize the many natural dimensions of our environment. The paintings are bold in the free application of color and heavy texture.

Markoe’s paintings are priced ranging from $1,700 to $4,000 with some larger format paintings above the $4,000 price range. More of Markoe’s work can be seen at Palo Alto’s “The State of the Art” Web site at www.soart.com.

Jocco’s restaurant is located at 236 Central Plaza, behind State Street.