May We Move Forward with Grace and Ease

Which mottos do you live by? I’d be interested in knowing! My latest is a note on the blackboard in my studio that reads, “May I move forward with grace and ease,” which brings me a sense of peace and direction every time I read it.

"Station", on Rue Vieille, Aubusson

My exhibit, Places + Names, at Galerie des Marches in Aubusson opens Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 6 p.m. I wish you could be there! As I prepare for the reception, I know my community far and wide will be with me in spirit at the gallery, and I will savor their support. The night will be a memorable event, one of joy and expectation, and contentment.

René Shoemaker discusses her painting, “Floating”

I recall at my very first gallery opening, Ethereal Spaces at Clayton Street Gallery, Athens, GA in 2001, the joy I felt from simply standing there, basking in the ambiance, answering questions and talking to people about their personal responses to my artwork. My art was hanging freely, unhindered by attachment to the wall, swaying in the air currents as visitors walked by.

Ethereal Spaces, Clayton Street Gallery, Athens GA 2001

Now, 21 years later, my current gallerist and I are returning to that original vision of how my art should be displayed: freely, light, and with the energy of life.

My adopted country of France (for six years now!) inspires me, and living here has given me the sensibilities to delve deeper into my consciousness to see what can be mined. Those early years, which at the time felt so lonely, were really a catalyst to set my creativity free. Today my desire to exhibit is constant, wherever I am in the world.

Jérôme Bel at his gallery, Galerie des Marches, Aubusson

Silk is my métier, color my language, line my inspiration. I love working with Jérôme, who said early on in our meetings, more than a year ago, “René, No more ‘silk artist!’ YOU are a contemporary artist!” I bask in his words when he says my lines are “Matissian,” as Henri Matisse has been my most constant mentor throughout the years.

I love my life.

In the stillness of the early morning light, when the roosters are just beginning to crow and the donkeys bray for their morning meal, I sit with my coffee in the garden, asking the sun to warm my body and soul.

If you wish to invite my artwork into your environment, all works in the exhibit are for sale. Feel free to contact me at rene@reneshoemaker.com, or my gallerist Jérôme Bel (he speaks English fluently) at galeriedesmarches@gmail.com or phone him at +33 (0) 679 481 384. I would be forever delighted to know my art is sharing your space, and I am always grateful for your comments and purchases.

Athens News:

If you are in Athens, you can see my paintings at Athens Art & Frame. They have arranged my Doors of Athens paintings along with a number of my other paintings on the Local Artist's wall. I am in good company there and I encourage you to go see the collection.

The Doors of Athens collection of original paintings beautifully displayed at Athens Art & Frame

In a bit of hometown news, our beloved vegetarian restaurant, The Grit, closed its doors after 36 years. The Grit storefront was included in my Doors of Athens series, and although the original painting sold early on, a beautiful high-quality print is available at my online store. I feel like a bit of an historian sometimes, as I often capture a building or scene in a town that subsequently disappears. In my Columbus Museum exhibition, Discovering the Chattahoochee Valley in 2015-2016, one of the artworks the Museum kept for its permanent collection was a corner building that was demolished by the time the exhibition opened to the public. I’m proud to say I have received two Historic Preservation awards from Georgia cities for this architectural appreciative eye.

I think I have this thing for storefronts: The Grit, Athens, GA

The Grit’s entranceway is also included onThe Doors of Athens poster and t-shirt. The poster is available at Community, the K.A. Artist Shop, or in my online shop; the t-shirt can be purchased at Community.

Your Doors of Athens t-shirt would look really good on you.

The Grit print and Doors of Athens poster both celebrate the vitality of Athens, GA.

Thanks for following along! I hope to see you soon, here, there, or elsewhere.

Love,

René

How Do You Express Your Creativity?

Galerie des Marches, Aubusson

What are your favorite ways to express creativity? We are all creative creatures! Is your creative outlet drawing? photography? writing? poetry?

Is it listening to the birds sing, or drawing and painting? Maybe home decor or gardening is your thing.

Creativity is a place of flow and of calmness. It is a beautiful state that we all can grow into. I am delighted to be a creative person, and I understand that creativity comes in many, many forms.

My life is full of love and creativity.

Installation in progress. Galerie des Marches, Aubusson

This week I am hanging an art exhibit at Galerie des Marches in Aubusson.

My art is large and colorful. As I prepared the silk paintings for the exhibition, I fell in love with them once again, as if visiting an old friend.

I am very happy with my art, and I cannot wait to share more images and stories from this exhibit with you!

The opening reception will be held October 1 at 7 pm at Galerie des Marches, 31 rue Vieille, Aubusson, 23200. The exhibit will be open to the public September 29th, but feel free to walk by before then and look in the window—it's going to be quite the display! I'll send the invitation as soon as it is created. For more information, contact the gallery at galeriedesmarches@gmail.com

Treignac, in the Corrèze department, Nouvelle Aquitaine

poetry@treignac

Earlier this month I spent three wild and wonderful days at a writer’s workshop, surrounded by poets, poetry and prose in the village of Treignac. Designated a Petite Cité de Caractère, this medieval town is situated on the Vézère River.

It is a beautiful location that inspires creativity and connection with my new community of creatives. This was my first time attending a writer’s workshop and I loved every minute of it.

Kate Rose and Sheila Schofield Large, both accomplished poets and poetry event organizers, hosted the workshop. Titled poetry@treignac, it was held at a former thread factory, now a contemporary art exhibition space, the Treignac Projet. It was an inspiring, open space in which to let our creativity soar.

The “Writing Creative Non-Fiction” workshop, led by editor, writer, and publisher Chuck Grieve, was invigorating. I left with a nice chunk of prose, and Sheila Large led a workshop “using the skills of metaphysics to turn details into poetry that has both message and magic.” I loved having that new part of my brain tickled and massaged.

I read both my texts to the group that night and was thrilled to be a writer amongst writers.

My son, Sam Sutlive, is a poet involved in the spoken word community in our hometown, and all weekend I felt like I was channeling his creative skills.

René reading her new poetry

We had workshops, we had gatherings, we had community time, we had readings. We had champagne to launch the Artemesia Arts organization!

I came away a different person.

It was delightful to be surrounded by like-minded people while learning more about myself and my capabilities. I find that I really do enjoy building a community of friends in my adopted country of France.

Tell me, what skills are you learning now?

Treignac Projet

This just in! Athens Art & Frame just hung my Doors of Athens exhibit plus other work of mine—I think I see a theme here! Click here to see a video of the display, and stop by their shop if you are in Athens!

René Shoemaker painting on exhibit at Athens Art & Frame

New greeting card design release - just in time for the holidays!

Saint-Amand, La Creuse

Don’t you love to receive a unique card in the mail - maybe a unique design with a personal touch?

L'église Saint-Amand front & back

Today I share my 2021 holiday card available for purchase.

My pen and pencil drawing

Saint-Amand is a village over the hill not far from my house. It is a short bike ride away, and offers the nearest café to where I live.

First watercolors are applied

The church in Saint-Amand is nestled within the community, on a small square and near the Chez La Marcelle café and along a walking path.

Mixing the colors and choosing just the right ones

I hope you like this design! I so enjoy sharing my French communities with you.

Details:⁠

-Minimum order: one pack of 10

      1 pack of 10: $35

       Extra packs: $30 each

-original watercolor painting printed on smooth cardstock

-card size: 4.13" x 5.83" ⁠delivered with a white envelope

-custom printed in groups of ten⁠

-blank interior allows for your personalized message⁠

-the back of the card says simply "Saint-Amand, La Creuse" 

     with the artist’s signature or website 

-printed in the USA (for orders outside of the US, the cards are printed in the UK)

-allow two to three weeks from order date for delivery

Water color set in action!

Detail of the cloche-mur (bell tower)

Click here to order your cards!

The final painting

The final card - ready for you!

St Amand has a very narrow roadway passing through it - every time I drive between these two buildings I hold my breath!

Another view of the clocher-mur: an extended wall with openings for the church bells. The yellow sign below is the map for the hiking paths,

Clocher-mur-detail

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Ever since I was in art school, I've been making my own holiday cards. In the beginning, they were all made by hand: printed or drawn; possibly painted or silkscreened.

A few years ago, thinking of all the people I wanted to send cards to who were not receiving one of the few hand created ones, I began printing them with my favoirte Moo card printer (who prints my business cards, too - they’re stunning!).

Saint Amand is a village over a hill, near my house. I can get to it one of four ways (excluding car travel). I can ride my bike to Croix de la Fortune and downhill all the way to Saint Amand, past cows, fields, farms and stone houses. This is very thrilling, because I feel like I can go so fast! The countryside is beautiful and the traffic very light.

The other way I can go is through the village of St Maixant, past the castle, the city hall, the school and the community center (all that makes St Maixant sound way bigger than it is! It is petite, also). Then ride the bike up the hill and over the top, past the grazing cows where one has a beautiful view of the Plateau Millevaches way off in the distance. Green pastures, blue sky, and communities sprinkled from here to the horizon.

The church in Saint Amand is nestled within the community, on a small square and near the Chez La Marcelle restaurant which recently re-opened, reimagined by the two grand daughters of the original Marcelle who had the café in the bottom of her house there for many years. I’ve heard it was a welcoming afterschool hangout for he local children back in the 50’s. The café faces the street that goes through the village named, aptly, "Le Petit Café".

More Photos of My Neighborhood

This week I'm using pictures rather than words to share my everyday experiences with you!

Beautiful blue skies, walking paths, flowers and old cars; cinema in the sky, barns, 13th century church and bicycle rides.

If you like more words, you can read more about it here.

If you’d like to hear more about my adventures, and see my paintings and process, you can sign up for my newsletter. I’d be happy to see you there! Have a lovely week, wherever you are.