An interview regarding my Oconee Street Church painting...

Jenny Jones of the Textile Center, MN had this great idea to interview the artists that participated in their “Common Thread” exhibit. My interview is here, and you can see the other artwork and the interviews on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TextileCenterMN . It’s very educational just to see all the different techniques that textile artists use!

 

Today’s artist in the 7-UP series: Rene Shoemaker.

1. What was the inspiration for your piece in A Common Thread? 

I received a request from the Oconee Street Methodist Church to submit ideas for a commission. As there were 4 colors needed for the liturgical season, I made unique designs in each of the 4 colors. 3 were abstract (a purple grid design, a red stripe and squares design, and a “white” using yellows and greys on a white cloth). This green portrait of their church was made for “ordinary time”. I fell in love with the facade, the steps, and the bell tower of this historic church.

2. Please give a brief narrative of the timeline and process of creating your piece.

After receiving the request, I researched modern liturgical designs and the history of the Methodist Church. I then moved forward with Prismacolor colored pencil sketches, and after showing the colored pencil sketches to my contact, I created fiber art samples using Procion dye and gutta on different types of silk so that the committee overseeing the commission would have options to choose from. 

3. What is your history with this fiber form?

I learned this particular surface design method when I returned to the classroom after having graduated from the University of Georgia fiber design department, and immediately fell in love with it. I have been practicing this fiber form since 1980.

4. Is this your first time exhibiting in A Common Thread?

No, this is my third exhibition participation with the Textile Center.

5. Which fiber/textile artist do you have the most respect/ admiration for and why?

Judy Bales, because she has consistently followed her vision, and she is a rising star.

6. Can you describe a work of fiber art that’s displayed in your house?

I spent the summer in Cortona, Italy in 1998, and returned home with a sketchbook full of inspiration. I created one design that has had many iterations and sizes and color choices. This image is of a deep pink round table cropped in the lower left corner of the square silk. There is one yellow chair pushed up to the table, and there are 3 glasses of wine on the table. The background is intense blue.

7. Who is your favorite superhero?

Henri Matisse, hands down. 

website: www.ReneShoemaker.com
blog: coffeecuppress.tumblr.com

 

What an honor for me to be part of this exhibit. Don’t you love Jenny’s last question? 

             Tell me - who is your favorite superhero?

Businesses I Would Like to Emulate #1

I just received new business cards in the mail and they are beautiful!!
I was so impressed with the way Moo handled my order, kept me informed, packaged my new cards, and were friendly, it made me want to be just like them!

When my package arrived in the mail, this is what I saw:

I ordered one of their Luxe styles. My cards are made of beautiful paper with a matte finish, and they’re thick, with a thin blue layer sandwiched between the front and the back of the card.

The package came wrapped in a purple ribbon and wax seal. Very distinctive!

There were quite a few special notes included. Under the purple ribbon was a tiny envelope…

…when I turned it over, the “Yay” sticker made me smile.

A small card told me that there’s a way to let business cards share information with a smartphone…

… and another described their great rewards program.

The final card is a beautifully written quotation from one of my favorite movies, Casablanca: “I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship”.

And I agree! Just look at these beautiful new cards! I would love to send one through the mail to you, so just let me know if you’d like one. I’ll see if I can do as good a job as Moo does with their presentation as I continue to build my art business!

Honorable Mention!

On Friday night, I attended the 18th Annual Winter Art Show at the Monroe Art Guild in Monroe, GA. Not only was it a great opportunity to see new artwork, find old friends, and meet new people, but I was thrilled to receive an Honorable Mention for my Kennedy Road Beaver Pond painting on silk! I was honored that my work was selected for an award and excited to share the good news here on my blog. 

If you’re not familiar with the Art Guild, you should definitely check it out - it’s a hopping organization that is housed in a historic Post Office Building. I’ve had a working relationship with them for several years now, and have really enjoyed the creative projects that we have developed together. Plus, everyone involved with the organization is so nice! Be sure to stop by if you are ever near Monroe - just look for the old Post Office on South Broad Street, just by the courthouse square.

A Good Beginning for 2013

              Oconee St Methodist Church, Athens Ga, by Rene D. Shoemaker, 2012

The Athens Area Arts Council was kind enough to put a shout-out about my current exhibits in their newsletter this month:

Silk paintings by Rene Shoemaker: See a collection of her silk paintings displayed and for sale at the new (and delicious) Broad Street Coffee (a new vegan/vegetarian restaurant), 1660 W. Broad St., Athens; 706-548-2266.

More artwork by Rene Shoemaker: This AAAC member has been busy! See painting on silk, waxed pencil on paper and silkscreen on paper at the Winter Art Show hosted by the Monroe Art Guild. The opening reception is 6-8 p.m. Jan. 25 and the exhibit is Jan. 15-Feb. 22. The exhibit takes place at 205 S. Broad St., Monroe, Ga. (Find Rene’s blog here.)

Rene Shoemaker exhibits in Minnesota:

If you’re traveling in the next couple of months or have friends in the Twin Cities area, spread the word about Rene Shoemaker’s participation in an exhibit, “A Common Thread,” at the Textile Center in Minneapolis, a national center for fiber art.

'This exceptional exhibition is unparalleled in showcasing the breadth of textile art. A true community event, the show features the work of over 60 of Textile Center’s members - and takes over our three gallery spaces in the process. A Common Thread illustrates the variety and innovation while honoring traditions in fiber art methods and forms. From weaving, quilting, knitting, and sewing, to needlework, lace making, basketry and beading - A Common Thread has it all.

The opening reception is 6-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 18 and the exhibit continues through March 2.The Textile Center is located at 3000 University Ave. SE, Minneapolis, Minn.’

Thank you to the AAAC for promoting my work, and for being there to help support Athens artists. It looks like this is the beginning of a busy and productive New Year, and I do so appreciate the support of my friends and community.

Now tell me, what do you have planned for 2013?