Ciao! I'm Francesca
I live in a small town near Milan, Italy, where the countryside—with its beautiful wildflowers and wildlife—still resists.
Drawing and writing have always been my two passions. After a degree in Languages and Mass Communication, I spent years as a teacher and editorial translator, sharing other people’s worlds while always longing to express my own. Along the way I stumbled upon surface design and illustration, fell under their spell, and taught myself everything I could.
Under the name Yupcat, I create patterns and illustrations for fabric, home, stationery and games, available for licensing, and you can find my designs on Spoonflower, printed on fabric, wallpaper, and home decor.
Wild, kind, magic are my favorite words. They spark my imagination and reflect my values and inner world. Through my art, I hope to make children and grown-ups smile and help them create their own cozy little world, surrounded by beautiful things they love. And maybe inspire them to be kind, stay curious, and feel connected to all living things. We are part of nature; when we love and protect her, we are also loving and protecting ourselves.
When I’m not drawing, I enjoy birdwatching in wild places and spending time in my community garden, growing vegetables among wildflowers, bees, dragonflies, and wild rabbits. I also love wandering through botanical gardens and bookshops. Exploring nature slowly, wherever I am—and reading—recharges my energy and fuels my creativity.
I try to live in harmony with nature, making ethical and eco-conscious choices, especially when it comes to work, food, shopping, travel, and voting. But small choices are only part of the picture. A safe world for us and all living beings starts with rebuilding our sense of belonging to nature, and it grows when we move together. That’s why I’ve also joined my local climate movement.
Thanks for stopping by! :)
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Looking for a short bio? You’ll find it at the bottom of the Licensing page.
2026 Copyright Francesca Calvi - Yupcat. All rights reserved. All art and images may not be used in any way without expressed permission.
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