Whom do you support?

New exhibition in Athens for the Ehlers-Danlos society

You may remember that last year I participated in an exhibition and fundraiser for the Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) Society. I wrote about it at that time because I wanted to spread the word about EDS and the need for research to help those affected.

And this year I am sharing the celebration and fundraiser again!

As an invited artist, I have four original paintings curated into the fundraising exhibit; 50% of all sales of my artwork will go directly to the EDS Society.

The opening reception for the event will be this Saturday, June 29, 2024 from 3-7 pm in the coffee house, bar and music venue Hendershot’s (which I adore) at 237 Prince Avenue in Athens, GA. There will be lots of energy, lots of guests, and a GREAT reception!

If you are in Athens, I encourage you to stop by. It will be an exciting exhibition and I'm sorry that I am missing it. If you cannot make it on the opening date, the exhibit will remain on view through September 21, 2024, when there will be a closing reception from 3-8 pm.

I am also happy to report that I will continue supporting the EDS Society by donating a portion of all sales in person and in my online shop to the Together We Dazzle fundraiser all year long! EDS has affected someone very dear to me, and as she grows and blossoms within its parameters, her beauty and perseverance grow, too. I am proud to support this cause.

As a consultant to the Dazzle team, I am honored to be listed as a supporter and TWD Collective member.

The Zebra is the EDS symbol, and I have created my own zebra art, which will be on sale as a print, with 100% of the sale going to the fundraiser.

Zebra Will Dazzle, by René Shoemaker

You can see photos of last year's Dazzle exhibition at Five & Ten in Athens here.

Learn more about EDS at this link.

Thanks for following along!

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:

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

What is Silk Painting?

Silk painting is a form of art.

[All art begins with a good cup of coffee.]

Silk painting is colorful, expressive, textural, and fascinating.

Silk painting is a bit like watercolor painting, which almost everyone can envision, understand, and recognize when they see it.

Silk is sumptuous.

Unlike oil painting, where the paint sits on the primed canvas (which is treated to NOT let the paint soak into the canvas fabric), silk dyes soak into the silk; when the brush touches the silk, the dye magically spreads and moves, and takes on a life of its own. Then, upon setting* the dye, the dye becomes one with the silk on a molecular level.

[I thoroughly enjoy what I do.]

The colors are luminous.
The colors are magnificent.
The colors are rich.
The fabric is luxurious.

And depending on the type of silk we use, the dye color is lustrous (as on charmeuse), or it can be absorbed into the silk and become matte (as on organza).

The types of silk I use, and am using for the San Francisco exhibit, are:

Charmeuse
Twill
Broadcloth
Habotai
Chiffon
Crepe de Chine
Pongee
Noil
Shangtung
Organza
Taffeta

The types of dye I am using are:

​Jacquard Red Label dyes ​
and
​Jacquard Acid dyes​

I cannot share my images until the exhibit opens, but here is a very small detail so that you can see the sumptuousness of the silk and the luminous dye

I am using this new exhibition to stretch my imagination and use more silk types and more kinds of dyes—in fact, I am experimenting while I am creating/making. (Usually I am too concerned about doing what has worked in the past, creating what I think is good. This time, I want to interact more with the audience. I want to learn what you like, and which art and art type you respond to; not only the image, but the usage of the dyes and silks.)

When you enroll in one of my silk painting classes, you will learn all this and more.

Tell me, What is your favorite subject matter? What would you like to create? What would you like to paint?

I am setting up the curriculum for the silk painting class in the French château now; your help is invaluable.

Soon I will discuss mixing the dyes and creating colors with you in an upcoming newsletter.

*setting - We set the dye, usually, by steaming the painted silk upon completion. The steam creates an environment of heat and moisture that lets the fiber easily absorb the dye, and the dye molecules can bond with the silk molecules. As a non-scientist, I find this idea fascinating, and have a clear image in my head of the molecules dancing together once they bond.

[Wouldn't you like to own one of my paintings?]

***

Learn silk painting here:

July 23-25, 2024 are the workshop dates for San Francisco. You can click on this link to learn more and to sign up​

September 12-17, 2024, are the château workshop dates in France. Click here for that link : https://www.manorandmaker.com/maker/2024-silkpainting

Detail of 'View from the Clock Tower "- Finished and for sale in my shop

Many thanks,

-René