A Sense of Design: My UGA experience + new workshop

Thanks, University of Georgia Fabric Design Department!

I was invited to teach silk painting at the University of Georgia Fabric Design Department this week. It felt like full circle; this is where I went to school, and although they do not teach silk painting at this time, this is where I learned this technique!

I will be teaching silk painting again Saturday, September 17 in Athens. Sign up here! If you’ve been thinking about expanding your artistic skills, this class will be a great opportunity to explore ideas and learn a new craft. We can start refining your design ideas and we can also discuss possible gifts for your friends and family. 

If you’ve taken the class before, I welcome and encourage taking it again! We will work on extending your skills to try something new. When I teach at KA Artist, we explore the possibilities of using a resist line to create a “drawing” with the gutta (or wax-like substance), but you could easily create a watercolor effect without the lines, or paint on a pre-treated silk that will keep the dye from spreading, or we can explore layering designs on the silk – there are many interesting effects to try out.

The Sweetness of the Magnolia Bloom

What was your first experience with a magnolia blossom? I bet you remember it as well as I remember my first encounter:

The first time I saw a magnolia blooming I thought I must be in heaven. That amazing size along with the pure white hue, the density of the petals, and its amazing beauty made it seem immortal ... although I could see that it appeared to fade as all flowers do. This first encounter was on a wooden stair landing in an historic 1850’s house in North Georgia. The magnolia bloom was floating in a bowl of water. It was a magical evening filled with candlelight and the deep odor of magnolias and honeysuckle.

I created this new painting, titled “The Sweetness of the Magnolia Bloom”, to send to New Orleans for The Cultural Landscape Foundation auction this year, and the above text is what I wrote as my artist statement. I am delighted with this new painting and feel like it is moving my art in a new direction with its simplicity and linear quality.

As part of the process, I created a second magnolia blossom painting; see it here:

Both of the magnolia paintings are hand-painted with dye on silk broadcloth, a lovely, soft, dense, matte silk. Last year, the painting I donated, “Kennedy Road Beaver Pond, Oconee County" valued at $500, sold for $700. How cool is that! The second magnolia painting "Lavender Blooms" is now for sale in my shop HERE.

LET'S TALK ABOUT SUMMER!

Ahh, summer. I love to travel; I love the sound of the wheels on the pavement, the sound of airplane engines starting. I love to think that my art goes to places like Chicago, New Orleans, New York City, and Paris and represents me there. Where will you go this summer? I’d love to know.

T-SHIRTS ARE HERE!

As you travel, you can wear my Globe t-shirt so everyone can easily recognize which town you love! For those of you who live outside of Athens, I now have a contact at the Globe who will send shirts to you: Write to Norm at globeupstairs@gmail.com. The shirts sell for $15 each. 

NEW EXHIBITS + CLOSING DATES

The OCAF Members exhibit is opening this Friday, June 3, from 6-8 pm. I entered two new paintings, both scenes from the Ashford Manor in Watkinsville, Ga. I am especially happy with this painting of their kitchen:

Also, the closing dates for two of my exhibits have been extended – but hurry! 

• My solo exhibit at Café Grumpy, Grand Central Station, NYC has been extended to June 2nd. 

• My exhibit at KA Artist in downtown Athens, Ga has been extended to June 25th.

• And my year-long show at the Columbus Museum in Columbus, Ga will close on July 31st.

• I will also be teaching a silk painting class at KA Artist on July 9th – sign up now!

Thank you for supporting my work! And don’t forget to let me know where you are traveling this summer, so I can travel along with you.

Cheers,

-René

Express Yourself

Nags Head, N.C. - One source of inspiration!

Discovering Your Own Creativity

I am intrigued by the many different ways people express their creativity. Whether it be cooking, writing, woodworking, poetry, metalwork, housekeeping, landscaping - the list goes on and on, and is truly unending. There are as many forms of creativity as there are individuals!

My friend Hope Hilton teaches classes on creativity at the KAArtist shop in downtown Athens, Ga, where I am teaching a silk painting class in April. Her classes have titles like Creativity Takes Courage and Creative Journaling. Creativity can be what gets us up in the morning; it can be what sees us through our tough times, illuminating the joy in everyday experiences that might otherwise slide right by without our taking notice. Creativity for me is a never-ending source of ideas, inspiration, and fun, and Hope’s classes are amazing because she helps everyone unveil their own sources of creativity!

I am excited to join Hope in this endeavor by offering my silk painting class at KAArtist on Saturday, April 9th from 1-4 p.m. There we can work together to explore color and line and silk and beauty, and you can see what other creative opportunities Kristen Ashley (of KAArtist!) has cooked up for us.

During our time in class, we will see how others have approached painting on silk and discuss how your unique approach to life - and creativity - will help you create a stunning silk painting of your own. 

Why is expressing yourself important? I believe we all have an inner vision to share with the rest of the world. We can begin to discover that vision by expressing it through our own unique talents. Come explore with me to discover how you can share those talents!

What is your favorite creative outlet? Hit 'reply' and let me know. Let’s begin a discussion on what makes your heart sing.

SIGN UP TODAY!

Silk Painting with René Shoemaker
KA Artist Shop
127 N. Jackson St.
 Athens, GA
1.706.850.1224

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Peggy was very happy with her new silk painting! Columbus State University 2015

René Art is now on exhibit:
Discovering the Chattahoochee Valley:
Silk paintings by René Shoemaker
The Columbus Museum, Columbus, Ga through July 2016