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Keep up with the latest art and adventures from Rene Shoemaker Art!

Paris / Athens / New York / Toronto: Returning Home

In my early twenties, I went to see my sister who lived in upstate New York.

Before I arrived, her daughters asked, “Where does René live, Mama?”

My sister said to them: “René doesn’t have a home.”

Ouch.

Those were during my wandering years.

Athens, GA: 1.Morning mist in the woods of Georgia 2.Sam Sutlive at Jittery Joe's 3.René art in an Athens collector’s home

Where is your home? 

Now I have a home. Or three. Maybe four. It's not that I own houses in all those places, its just that the feeling of 'home' comes to me strongly when I am there.

I happily traveled this past month to three locations:

1. Athens, GA, USA

2. New York City, USA

3. Toronto, Canada

Then back home again to:

4. Aubusson, France

New York, NY: 1.Manhattan rooftop inspiration 2.René art at the Shade Bar in the Village 3.Kate Sutlive in SoHo

What is the sensation of home? 

I felt perfectly at home in each of those locations. I felt the sense of peace that we have when we feel like we belong. Like we have a place there. That we have friends, and relatives, and locations that mean the world to us.

I realized it is perfectly okay to have more than one home.

A place where our dreams are formed and realized.

What place makes you feel really good? How do you share it?

Toronto, Canada: 1.Royal Ontario Museum 2.Downtown Toronto 3.René & Yvonne as twins

I like going away, and I like returning home again.

And why is Paris in the title above, you may ask?

Because that is where it all starts. A day and a night in Paris, a good coffeeshop visit, and walking along the Seine, and visiting my favorite street, rue de Bièvre, on the Left Bank, just across from Notre-Dame.

Comment below, and let me know; where do you feel most at home?

Getting ready for San Francisco

The author Seth Godin tells me to tell you where I am going when I write to you. It's easy enough for me to think I've told you where I am going, but here it is again:

I am on a journey to a successful art career.

The problem with the word "successful" is that the definition changes all of the time!!!!! Take a look! What you thought success was yesterday, last week, last month, last year is different that what success is this year!

Yikes!

Right now, as you know, my version of success is to finish up the artwork for my upcoming exhibition that opens in San Francisco in 32 days.

Am I counting the days?

You bet I am!

I invite you into my studio to see what the work looks like right now:

The big frame holds a 7 ft silk that is in the process of becoming a painting. The wood stove keeps me warm - needed during the cool summer days!

Some people call this "the blank page." I call it: "work in progress." The process I use is a bit time-consuming but very rewarding:

Stretched silk on a wooden frame 12 inches square, with a blue drawing of a Paris courtyard in preparation for painting. Another ink drawing is by its side waiting its turn.

The silk is stretched taut to allow for even application of the dye.

I am uninclined to show you the completed work until the exhibition opens, but here is a detail from "Amsterdam & 79th St, NYC (study).

My blackboard keeps me focused and on track. The checkmarks mean that work is finished and ready to hang.

*****

To help keep us calm and centered, I'd like to share this inspiring location that I am lucky enough to be able to walk to every day:

Ahhh, a little bit of beauty every day.

Keep creating!

-René

Do you love travel & discovery?​

After an 11-hour flight from Paris, I landed in the yet-unknown-to-me city of San Francisco.

What a treasure!

The experience was everything I hoped it would be: beautiful views of the mountains and city, sparkling lights at nighttime, fog rolling in over Twin Peaks, views of the bay, a studio to work in, a beautifully curated gallery to plan an exhibit in, a workshop to teach, and new people to meet.

I find that travel rejuvenates and inspires me; oh, maybe you already knew that about me? How about you? Do you love travel, too?

The memory of San Francisco, via René’s impressions:

  • the kindness of the people

  • even the dogs all seem content

  • and the HUGE windows that were on so many houses to let in the sun.

Sunrise view from my window., looking towards the Bay. Noe Valley, San Francisco, California

+ + +

After San Francisco I landed in Toronto, then New York. While walking In Manhattan, I happened upon this striking building I had painted in the past. The experience is akin to running into an old friend on the street in a strange city:

705-711 Greenwich St, NYC

I invite you to discover these historic doors and grand windows that dance with the energy and spirit of zen that inhabits these two connected buildings in the heart of the West Village in New York City.

René Art can remind you of places you have discovered, experiences you have shared, locations you may have found in a quiet moment, even in the midst of a busy day, when you can feel the energy of the city, the joy of adventure, and the delight in color.

Whether in your hometown or a distant city, observations can give you a lovely moment of happiness while walking down the street.

Enjoy your adventures today!

Dates to remember:

2023

December 3, 2023

Silk Painting 1 day workshop
Original Art on Silk

K. A. Artist Shop, Athens, GA
https://kaartist.com/products/original-art-on-silk-workshop​

December 10, 2023

Business of Art workshop
Business of Art professional workshop​

K. A. Artist Shop, Athens, GA
https://kaartist.com/products/the-business-of-art-workshop​


December 14 and 15, 2023

Athens Holiday Market
Big City Bread, Athens, GA
https://www.visitathensga.com/event/athens-holiday-market-%40-big-city-bread/16434/​

2024

July 21, 2024

Opening reception for San Francisco / Paris / New York City exhibit
Michelle Thomas Fine Art Gallery + Studio​
San Francisco, CA
The exhibit will be on view through October 25th, 2024
https://michellethomasfineart.com/about-gallery-and-studio​

July 22-24, 2024

Three-day silk painting workshop
Michelle Thomas Fine Art Gallery + Studio​
San Francisco, CA
https://michellethomasfineart.com/about-gallery-and-studio​

September 2024

Silk painting art retreat​
Manor and Maker, the Château de Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Dordogne, France
https://www.manorandmaker.com/maker/2024-silkpainting​

Spring 2024:

Paris, France
Exhibition in the planning phase in the 14th arrondissement​
More information soon!

To purchase the painting above in my shop, click here .

With appreciation,