Francine Haskins was born and raised in Washington, D.C. She attended D.C. public schools. She graduated from the Corcoran School of Art and Design (Advertising Design) and studied oil painting at Catholic University and fabric design through the Smithsonian Associate Program. Haskins began her art career at The New Thing Art and Architecture Center as a graphic artist. As an art educator she has worked in schools and community centers. She participated in art fairs including Black Memorabilia, Black Doll Shows, National Black Arts Festival, and Smithsonian Folklife Festival. Her work is featured in the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Her art has been featured in several exhibitions: Banneker-Douglass Museum, Annapolis, MD; American Jazz Museum, Kansas City, MO; Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.; and Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, Hyattsville, MD.