Born in Regina, Saskatchewan in 1963, Franson attended Concordia University in Montréal. She graduated in 1985 with distinction after studying fine arts, then went on to more specific study in ceramics at Banff Centre, School of Fine Arts in 1988-89.
While she considers herself a children's book illustrator first and foremost, she has also worked as a dishwasher, massage therapist, short-order cook, waitress, foot courier and clerk at a fine arts materials shop.
She is also the creator of the comic strip, "Liliane, Bi Dyke." The strip follows the life of a bisexual Canadian woman as she deals with difficulties in trying to conceive, experiences working for a sex hotline, attends the Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, has relationship problems, etc.
Franson lives in Montreal with her son, Benjamin Taotao, Gretchen the Saint Bernard and two cats.