I was very thrilled to find such an incredible artist working in such a unique art form. When I came across Dropping Gauntlets, I think Franzi had less than 75 followers. I couldn't believe that, because her artwork was filled with so much love, time and precision. I always knew I wanted to work with her from the moment I saw her style, and I'm happy we've gotten to work together twice now. I'm also really happy a lot of you have come along with us for the ride and now follow her too (and shop with her!), and rightfully so! But if you'd like to know more about the artist, the process, and our project, read this incredible interview below!
Thank you for support, and if you'd like to shop the collection, please click here.
This interview has been lightly edited where language barrier came into play.
What is your hockey story, how did you get into it?
My father-in-law, who is a big fan, introduced me a couple of years ago. Prior
to moving where I now live, I had no idea of what’s Hockey like and I thought
I ́m just making him happy by joining in for a game. I couldn’t really picture the
appeal of watching live sports but thought – ok whatever, let’s do it! I
remember exactly the moment when I stepped into the Arena during warmups.
The atmosphere was thrilling. Let’s just say I got the appeal right then and
there.
Since then, it became a weekly family activity and going to games also helped
me a lot through times when got I chronically ill. It was a regular occasion that
actually made me want to leave the house, despite having pain and anxiety.
Not to be dramatic, but it changed me (for the positive) and now I can’t
imagine a life without it!
How did you get into making linoprint artwork?
I learned the very basics of carving and printing at art school years ago, the
rest is basically trial and error. The technique kind of stuck with me and evolved
into an obsession that found a new spark when I got into making hockey art.
If you could change one thing about hockey culture right now, what
would it be?
The expectation for athletes to fit into a certain stereotype. They’re humans
with different feelings and personalities, that they should be able to express,
without fearing consequences for their career and without it affecting the way
their game gets perceived. We should be united by the love we have for the
game, not be reduced to something because of it. That toxic stuff really needs
to go. Goodbye!
How does your artwork make hockey more inclusive?
I love to add the aspect a softness into my art, for example printing big burly
goalies, but in the most whimsy colors. And maybe adding a few hearts and
stars for good measure. The duality of things fascinates me and I like to
visualize that contrary things can exist at the same time. A game that seems
hard and sometimes brutal at first, but there is also much space for friendship,
passion and solidarity. And men with feelings? Hell yes, we love that!
I’m aware that making linoprints is not an important lifechanging thing
(especially in relation with all this insane stuff going on in the world right now),
but I want to create something that is comforting, fun and enjoyable for
everyone.
How did you get started in making hockey art?
A goalie fight in late 2023. I saw it and thought – that’s exactly what I want to
make art about. I did and then just didn’t stop. I think the medium goes along
with the sport really well, because it has a lot of similarities. It’s rough, hard
around the edges and often with a surprise outcome. I could talk about that
similitude for hours; it’s my favourite thing.
You've recently been working with a local hockey player to create
graphics for them. How did that come about, and how does it make you
feel to be working within the hockey community as a woman in sports?
They have a label for hockey player-merch and asked me to put some of my
linocut designs on apparel. It’s a dream come true honestly, because I was
always looking for cute hockey merch and now, I’m doing it myself? So fun!
I don’t have enough stamina to play hockey and I’m not outgoing enough to be
a podcaster or something, so making Hockey designs became my niche
where I feel comfortable and can contribute something to the community.
Why do you think it’s important for queer imagery to be featured in the
hockey community?
I think it really is important to just put it out there visually and in form of
education. I hope that the more we as a society see it, the more it becomes
normal in the day-to-day life. Sometimes when I’m living in my bubble, I think
the fact that people being queer would be completely normal and accepted by
now. But then I read the comment section of, for example, a pride-night post
from some NHL-team and I instantly get reminded why it’s still so important to
put in the work. Nobody should be scared to love unapologetically or even get
threads because of doing so. And on the other hand, it’s also very important to
have role-models for queer young athletes. (Good job PWHL!)
How does your hockey artwork make room for acceptance and growth
for the next generation of queer or otherwise marginalized hockey fans?
I feel like there’s definitely room for improvement on my side, but as a disabled
hockey fan myself I sometimes had a hard time accepting that I also have a
place and a “right” to be in that community. So I know how much value it has,
to create a platform for underrepresented groups. I felt so grateful every time I
saw someone in a similar position just proceeding to do what they love. That
really helped me and makes me want to be more open about my identity
myself. To be honest it’s not an easy thing for me yet and I really want to work
on that! DHS is also a big inspiration here, thank you for using your voice!
How did the idea to work with Double Hockey Stix come about?
We connected via Instagram last year and her support was unmatched. I’m so
happy that we got to know each other, cause we have a very similar vibe and it
sometimes feels like we’re sharing the same two braincells.
A few months ago I already did a little lino-illustration for Krampusnacht for
DHS and working with Lacey was such a pleasant and uplifting experience. I
didn’t have much experience working with brands back then and I’m thankful
for learning a lot from her. So naturally I was so happy to work with DHS again
on this new absolute banger of a project!
What was the process like for you? How did you get inspired, when did
you work on it? Did you have a muse?
When Lacey told me about her idea, I immediately had something in mind, but
as usual, it took me a few sketches to exactly capture the feelings we wanted
to picture in the design. My main inspo was and is going to the local rink (s/o to Nürnberg IceTigers), just watching games and observing the players, their
motions, and gear. I’d be lying if I said that there weren’t moments when I got
startled by the goal horn because I was watching single players and their
movements more than keeping track of the puck. Oopsie.
After we settled on a final sketch, I started carving in my little printstudio. I
love to work in the evening, listening to an audiobook or podcast – introverted
heaven.
You recently started your own shop that features your artwork. What was
that process like, and did you ever think you'd run a shop that sold
hockey-adjacent items? Please tell us about that and drop a link so
people can shop it!
Yes, I love my little shop! Haven’t even thought of making money with my art,
especially hockey themed linoprints, because it seemed like such a small
nieche to me. But then people started to ask where to buy my goalie linocuts
and it grew from there. I’m also really grateful for my accounting degree here,
because German bureaucracy really is so confusing sometimes.
I’m putting a lot of work into it and it makes me so so happy every time the
notification for a new order pops up on my phone. If you purchase from me or
any or any other small business, just know that you have a lifelong little corner
in my heart, because you’re really supporting a dream!
Shop Dropping Gauntlets Design Etsy Here.
Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey as an artist
or hockey fan that you feel the audience needs to know?
Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Especially if you want to make art, its better
to just get started than to be restrained by perfectionism.
I’m genuinely grateful for all of your support and the kind words we already
received over this collab. Thank you all for being really fucking cool <3
Please share all relevant social media, websites and places where people
can reach you, support you, and follow you!