Drawing the Horizon

I’ve had a vision for quite a long time for a new series of artwork I now look forward to sharing with you. About five years ago, around the time we moved to France, the vision became clearer and stronger, and I started creating silk paintings I called the Horizon Series.

While some consider the horizon line strictly an artistic device, in this work I am using the horizon to create a feeling of balance and ease. I am endlessly intrigued by how the placement of a line on the picture plane can affect viewers’ feelings in various ways.

Questions of color, form, line, and design are endlessly fascinating to me, as are the innumerable possibilities for the placement of the horizon line in a work of art. Envisioning and then painting these designs in rich color on luminescent silk reminds me of standing at the ocean’s edge, hearing the waves gently kiss the sand, staring off at the horizon where the immense sky meets the solid mass of water covering the earth.

I realized today that I’ve been waiting for permission to begin this project, to work on this investigation, when in reality that permission can only come from me. There is no longer any reason to wait to begin.

I’d love to take you on this journey of discovery with me. I'll share my drawings, inspiration, and process, and each time I’ve completed 10 paintings I will release the series for sale. I’ve been waiting a number of years to exhibit these as a collection in a gallery or museum, and I can so clearly visualize how that exhibit would be arranged. But given the restrictions Covid has placed on us, working with you directly seems like a much better way to get my art out into the world and share my new work without further delay.

What exactly is the inspiration, you ask? Why am I steering away from architecture, from that which we find in our physical surroundings, to focus instead on a highly abstract, non-representational and ephemeral concept in time and space? My interest in this project stems from my wish to continually view the physical world with fresh eyes, unfettered by old habits and established patterns.

I am extremely excited to create this body of work that has lain dormant in my psyche for so long. I can’t wait to begin, and for us to shepherd it into the world together!

I hope you’ll accompany me on this creative venture and I invite you to share your thoughts below. You can follow my progress on Instagram at @rene.shoemaker.art and on a new Instagram account created solely for my art (minus the photos of France, cows, and travels) at @rene.shoemaker.art.only . Please share these links with friends who might be interested and encourage them to sign up for my newsletter, too! 

Before I go, I wanted to say, if you’ve had your Covid vaccination, congratulations! I have, too. If you find that you’re eager to visit family and friends after you’ve had your vaccination, doesn’t that feel good? At least now there is some hope that our lives will return to a sense of normalcy. I CAN’T WAIT TO START HUGGING PEOPLE AGAIN!!

Enjoy the spring! -René

Want to Know Why You’re a Superstar?

YOU are a superstar! I know that because I know how much you mean to me. If you weren’t there to read my blogs, I wouldn’t be writing them. I am your biggest fan, and I just want to say thank you.

Star Portrait. Pastel on paper.

You probably know that I love hearing from you and answering your questions, and I also love receiving new ones. You know me—I have an insatiable curiosity. Write to me! Tell me what you’d like to know: about what I do, what I create, what I write, and what I offer for sale. I’d love to hear your thoughts about how I can better serve you and which items you’d like to see featured in my shop. The sky’s the limit: What do you dream about that I should make? What art would you like to commission? How can I enhance your shopping experience in my online store?

Recently a woman from Michigan emailed me to inquire about my Globe t-shirts, which have been out of production for, well, five years. But I will now reintroduce them to my shop because I know there’s a demand for them. In fact, she said she needed not just one, but one for every member of the family: her husband, five- and three-year-old children, a onesie for the baby, and an extra for her husband’s friend!

Diane wearing her Globe t-shirt at Condor's Chocolate shop in Athens GA (Yummm)

I also have a friend here in France who has been asking for a Globe t-shirt for over a year because her daughter, who lives in London, pilfered it for herself. I’ve made other sales in London, so I was pleased to know that at least two of my tees would be floating around that city. Perhaps they’ll bump into each other on the street - wouldn’t that be fun?

I hope you’ll leave a comment below and let me know what comes to mind. Talk to me!

I promise - I write back to all emails and comments personally.

Boulangerie-Patisserie. Aubusson. Painting on silk

After a long winter, spring will come I am now sure. Do you know someone with a spring or summer birthday? A new baby about to enter the world? A wedding that will finally take place once the Covid restrictions are lifted? A graduating senior? With Mother’s Day less than a month away, do you need a gift for your mother, grandmother, or other important women in your life? If you’re looking to make any special occasion more special, may I suggest original art or a scrumptious baby silkie?

Cuddly baby gifts, a luxurious silk scarf for mom, a colorful painting to brighten your wall, or a print to give as a gift of friendship—all are available here. Congratulating a new grad with a gift of original art to accompany them in their new stage of life sounds like a perfect gift to me!

I miss seeing you; I miss interacting with my friends, but your smiling face is on my mind all the time. I’m creating new objects of art for you each week; please let me know what you’d especially like to see in the queue. Let’s do this together!

Thank you for your continued support and friendship.

Take care,

-René

P.S. As a coffee aficionado, I find myself musing on how much the sales of coffee machines and coffee paraphernalia in France must have skyrocketed as a result of the cafés being closed for so long during the pandemic. Stopping by the café for a quick shot of espresso on the way to work is practically a national sport. I have to wonder how the French are coping with this situation!

Reading in the Garden

Our house welcomed us with open arms, warming us with heated stone walls as the snow fell upon our arrival. The weather changes often, and when the sun shines here it is breathtakingly beautiful, then I am sitting in the sunlight, soaking up as much vitamin D as I can before the grey skies return. I stand basking in the sunlight, grateful that I have this opportunity to participate in a different culture, discover a sense of history different from that of my home country, and explore Roman roads, hiking trails, tractor paths and foot paths that lead me to unknown locales.

I feel a sense of freedom here that I don’t have in the States. I used to think it came from not knowing the language, but now I think it may be due to the lifestyle. My daily routines that I do are the same here—shop for food, go for walks, talk with my neighbors—but somehow it is also different. There is less sense of stress here. Certainly people still have problems, but as a community they seem to work together to solve those problems.

I find time has no real meaning and one can easily live in the present moment.

With gratitude,

Reading in the garden; basking in the sunshine

Every Step of the Way

I find it so interesting that often when you read an artist's bio, look at their webpage, and see all their qualifications, it all seems so easy. It looks like they popped out of the womb as an accomplished artist. And it all seems so matter-of-fact that they are where they are in the world today.

For me, I find that every little step of the way—every “first”—is a moment to be celebrated. First class in art school. First exhibit in a gallery. First webpage. First exhibit in a museum. First exhibit in Paris. First residency. Each one is a new opportunity to share my art with the world.

Here I am, sitting at a desk in a secluded cottage with my mind as my only companion. And I just discovered that I am now considered a “Fellow”—my first designation as such.

Finding joy in the everyday; seeking shapes in the physical world; finding connections between the exterior and interior psyche: this is my mission.

The way I move forward when working on my art is by responding to what excites me. Which line makes my heart beat faster? Which color makes me dream all night? Which ray of sunlight inspires me?

I'm always excited to share my creations with you. I invite you to share them with your loved ones, especially during this upcoming holiday season, or as gifts for winter birthdays or other occasions.

1) Fine art prints of Las Flores Tropicales series that was exhibited in Paris this past fall are now available. Choose from the images below and let me know which of the flowers you would like, or go to my online store to make your purchase.

2) Original art is available by clicking here, or of course, just hit 'reply' to this email and let me know what you are looking for.

3) Color, texture and playfulness are all features of the new collection of Silkies that just arrived. These touchable artworks made for small children are very soft, and often become constant companions, like a blankie might be. I think your little ones will adore their gift of a Silkie, which are comforting and educational at the same time.

Las Flores Tropicales series, paintings on silk now for sale as limited edition fine art prints on archival matte paper.

Babies LOVE Silkies! Each Silkies is a unique work of art.

Thank you for your support, and during this holiday week and always, please be safe!

-Rene

PREPARING FOR THE HOLIDAYS?

I have new items for sale on my website, including gifts for everyone on your list: limited edition fine art prints, original art, baby gifts, stationery, and home decor. Take a look and feel free to contact me with any questions or words of advice of what you would like to see in the shop.

Creature Comforts - Fine Art print of original silk painting

Artist-in-Residence:

November 1 - 30, 2020
AIR Serenbe Artist in Residence:
Fiber Forward Focus Fellowship
Chattahoochee Hills, Georgia
USA